The Central Development Working Party (CDWP), in a meeting chaired by the Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives and Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Ahsan Iqbal, approved 15 different development projects. Out of these, 6 projects with a total cost of Rs. 22.487 billion were approved at the CDWP level. And nine projects, amounting to Rs. 496.485 billion, were recommended to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for approval.
The meeting was attended by Awais Manzur Sumra, Secretary Planning, along with VC PIDE, other members of the Planning Commission, Federal Secretaries, heads of Provincial Planning & Development (P&D) boards/ departments, and senior representatives from relevant Federal Ministries and Provincial Governments.
The agenda focused on development projects across key sectors, including Education & Training, Health, Higher Education, Physical Planning & Housing, Social welfare, Special Areas (AJK & GB) and Transport & Communications
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Four projects related to Higher Education sector approved by the forum after detail discussion namely “Uplifting of Academic and Infrastructure Facilities at Hazara Universality, Mansehra” with the revised cost of Rs. 2804.899 million, “Establishment of Women Sub-Campus at Batkhela, University of Malakand” with the revised cost of Rs. 1341.873 million, Allama Muhammad Iqbal Scholarships for Bangladesh, Central Asian and Friendly countries study in Pakistan (HEC)- New” worth Rs. 6637.088 million and Hostels for UET Lahore and Sub-Campuses - New” worth Rs.3357.095 million.
Federal Minister for Planning, Ahsan Iqbal, while reviewing Higher Education Commission projects, recalled that there was a time when a large number of international students came to Pakistan for higher studies, many of whom today serve as parliamentarians in their respective countries. Expressing concern over the decline in foreign student admissions, he emphasized that Pakistan’s universities still have the capacity to attract them and should offer more scholarships, particularly targeting students from Central Asia, Africa, and other Global South countries. He underscored that higher education is a form of soft power, and attracting at least ten thousand international students would not only enhance the country’s goodwill and image abroad but also increase remittances. The Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission directed that a special meeting be convened to review the scholarships policy to encourage greater international enrollment.
A project related to Education & Training sector presented in the meeting namely “System Transformation Grant (STG)-New” worth Rs. 10605.111 million refereed to ECNEC for further consideration. Source of financing of the project is GPE Grant (World Bank). The project It aims to advance Pakistan’s progress towards SDG 4 — inclusive and quality education — by improving access, retention, and quality in the school system.
A project related to Health sector presented in the meeting namely “Jinnah Medical Complex and Research Center (JMC&RC) previously Quaid-e-Azam Health Tower Islamabad-New” worth Rs. 1429.150 million approved by the forum.
Two project of Physical Planning & Housing sector presented in the meeting namely “Flood Response Emergency Housing Project (Phase III) EIB/GoS Financing” worth Rs. 42090 million refereed to ECNEC for further consideration. The project is proposed to be financed through foreign funding of EIB. It aims to rebuild over 116,000 multi-hazard resilient homes for flood victims in Sindh and provide inclusive infrastructure for vulnerable groups.
Another project of Physical Planning & Housing sector got the approval namely “AJK Legislative Assembly Complex” with the revised cost of 6917.11 million.
Two projects related to Social Welfare sector presented in the meeting namely “Sindh Coastal Resilience Project (SCRP) – Livelihood AND Community Infrastructure - New” worth Rs. 30915.227 million referred to ECNEC for further consideration. The project is proposed to be financed through foreign funding of IFAD. The Sindh Coastal Resilience Project (SCRP) – Livelihood and Community Infrastructure aims to promote inclusive and climate-resilient livelihoods for smallholder farmers, fisherfolk, and disadvantaged groups, including women, youth, and the landless, across 500 villages in Badin, Sujawal, and Thatta.
While discussing the project, the Deputy Chairman of the forum, Ahsan Iqbal, constituted the formation of a committee under the Secretary of Planning to conduct a detailed review of the project before submission to ECNEC, ensuring that all requirements highlighted by the CDWP forum are fully addressed.
Another project of Social Welfare sector presented in the meeting namely “Karachi Water & Sewerage Services Improvement Project(KWSSIP) Phase-II” referred to the ECNEC with the revised cost of Rs. 185894.093 million. This WB-, AIIB-, and EIB-financed initiative will enhance Karachi’s water and sewerage systems through infrastructure upgrades, institutional reforms, and capacity building.
While reviewing development projects in Sindh, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission and Federal Minister for Planning, Ahsan Iqbal, reaffirmed that Sindh’s development initiatives remain a top priority for the federal government. He assured that the federation is fully committed to supporting the province and is making every possible effort to meet its development needs. During the meeting, the Minister emphasized the importance of expediting the implementation of ongoing projects to ensure timely benefits for the people of Sindh.
A project related to Special Areas of AJK & GB presented in the meeting namely “Construction of Road from Pissan to Hoper Nagar (40KM.) (Shahrah–e–Nagar)” referred to the ECNEC with the revised cost of 13764.926 million. According to the Revised PC-I of the Project, after completion, the road is to provide a reliable, all-weather, and safe transportation corridor spanning 40-kilometres through the scenic and strategically important Nagar Valley of Gilgit-Baltistan.
During the meeting The GB government was asked to share the land cost equally with the federal government on a 50:50 bases.
The DCPC stated that the Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir remain key development priorities for the federal government, despite the prevailing fiscal constraints. Federal Minister for Planning, Ahsan Iqbal, reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to advancing projects in GB, AJK, and Sindh, ensuring that these regions receive the attention and resources they deserve. He directed the concerned authorities to accelerate the implementation of ongoing projects so that the people of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir can benefit from them at the earliest.
Four projects related to Transport & Communications sector presented in the meeting namely “Dualization & Rehabilitation of DG Khan – DI Khan Section of N-55 as 4-Lane Highway (208.2KM) Package-2, Lot 3 & 4” referred to ECNEC with the revised cost of 111940.070 million (86% ADB-financed & 14% PSDP share). According to the revised PC-I, the project will significantly contribute to the economic and social development of South Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by expanding the reach of its benefits to a larger population and transforming the transportation landscape of the region.
The second project of T&C sector presented namely “Dualization & Rehabilitation of Rajanpur – DG Khan Section ofN-55 as 4-Lane Highway (121.50Km) Package-1, Lot 1&2” referred to ECNEC with the revised cost of 63150.570 million (86% ADB-financed & 14% PSDP share). According to the revised PC-I, the project will boost the economic and social development of South Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by transforming regional transportation, reducing travel time, and ensuring smooth movement of trade, goods, and passengers. Serving as a key business hub, it will enhance connectivity, stimulate economic growth, and improve the livelihoods of local communities.
The third project of T&C sector presented in the forum namely “Dualization & Improvement of Old Bannu Road” referred to the ECNEC with the revised cost of 24130 million. The project aims to enhance mobility in the underdeveloped areas of District Bannu by providing a vital link between Bannu, Sarai Naurang, and Waziristan, improving access to markets and economic opportunities for the local population. It will reduce travel time, improve road safety, lower vehicle operating costs, and offer congestion-free travel, while also creating positive impacts on land use, generating employment, and stimulating business activities to support sociolect-economic development in the region.
The Minister expressed satisfaction over the progress on the Old Bannu Road, noting that the project, initiated during the previous PML-N government, is now nearing completion. He particularly urged the concerned authorities to expedite the remaining work and extend full facilitation to ensure there are no obstacles in its completion. The Minister reaffirmed that development projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are a high priority for the federal government, aimed at improving the quality of life for the people of the province.
The fourth project of the T&C sector presented in the meeting namely “Construction of Black Top Road from Duki to Chamalang with Link Road” (160 km)” recommended to ECNEC for further consideration with the revised cost of 13994.701 million. The scope includes earthworks, pavement layers, bridges, culverts, embankment protection, RCC retaining walls, rest areas, drainage systems, road furniture, and utility shifting, as well as land and property compensation, ensuring durable infrastructure and improved connectivity for the region.
Federal Minister for Planning stated that the Federal government has allocated the largest-ever development budget in history — Rs. 200 billion — for road infrastructure in Balochistan this year. He urged the Balochistan government to take its own initiatives and allocate resources from its provincial budget for other projects. He noted that it has become increasingly challenging for the federal government to accommodate the development priorities of every province within a constrained budget. The Minister expressed hope that the next Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) would be significantly larger, enabling the federal government to fully meet the development aspirations of all province.
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