CDWP Clears Development Projects Worth Rs. 104 Billion

The Central Development Working Party (CDWP), in a meeting chaired by the Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, approved seven different development projects. Out of these, four projects with a cumulative cost of Rs. 8 billion were approved at the CDWP level. Additionally, three major projects, amounting to approximately Rs. 96 billion, were recommended to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for final consideration and approval. The agenda focused on development projects across key sectors, including Industries & Production, Information Technology and Transport & Communications. Two projects related to industries & Commerce accorded the approval namely “1000 Industrial Stitching Units (Phase-II)” worth Rs. 1,950 million and “Acquisition of Land for Establishment of SME Facilitation Centers at Various Locations” worth Rs. 1,250 million. Two projects related to Information Technology approved in the meeting namely “Development of Pakistan Lunar Exploration Rover (PLExR) for Chang’E-8 Mission” worth Rs. 2,535 million and “Pakistan Manned Space Mission” worth Rs. 2,243.20 million. One of the three projects related to Transport & Communications presented in the CDWP forum namely “Improvement of Road from Sanghar to National Highway N-5 at Point Rohri via Mundh Jamrao and Saleput 0.00 to 221.00 kms.” Was recommended to ECNEC at revised cost of Rs. 36,910.449 million. Another project of T&C sector presented in the meeting namely “Construction of Additional Carriageway along Mehran Highway from Nawabshah to Ranipur (135.0 Kms (Revised))” was referred to ECNEC at revised cost of Rs. 41,034.440 million. Another project of T&C sector presented in the meeting namely “Improvement of Road from Rohri to Guddu Barrage @ M-5 Interchange Sadiqabad via Khanpur Mahar, Mirpur Mathelo & Mureed Shakh (150.00 Kms)” was referred to ECNEC at revised cost of 17,971.360 million. During a comprehensive review of Transport and Communications sector projects, the planning minister directed the Member Infrastructure to review construction schedule rates of Federal & Provincial governments and notifying new schedule of rates based on market rates. He underscored the importance of this analysis for ensuring cost-efficiency and fiscal responsibility in infrastructure development. The meeting was attended by Awais Manzur Sumra, Secretary Planning, along with Chief Economist, other members of the Planning Commission, Federal Secretaries, heads of Provincial Planning & Development (P&D) departments, and senior representatives from relevant Federal Ministries and Provincial Governments.