The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) held today under the chairmanship of the Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives and Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Ahsan Iqbal. The meeting reviewed and considered a range of development initiatives aimed at strengthening key sectors of the national economy and accelerating the government’s reform agenda.
During the meeting, the forum approved 7 development projects worth Rs. 15.174 billion, while 4 major projects with a cumulative cost of Rs. 108.16 billion were r ecommended to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for further consideration.
The meeting was attended by the Chief Economist, Vice Chancellor PIDE, Members of the Planning Commission, Federal Secretaries, heads of Provincial Planning & Development Departments, and senior representatives from relevant federal ministries and provincial governments.
The agenda included projects from critical sectors including Education & Training, Governance, Health, Higher Education, Information Technology, Physical Planning & Housing, Power, and Water. These projects are aligned with the government’s broader development vision and reform agenda under URAAN Pakistan , which focuses on strengthening human capital, modernizing governance, improving infrastructure, and promoting sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
Education Sector
During the meeting, a project titled “Establishment of Daanish School at Azad Jammu and Kashmir (Haveli-Kahuta)” worth Rs. 4687.703 million was presented and approved by the forum, with special directions to rationalize the cost in accordance with the previously approved Daanish Schools PC-I.
While discussing the project, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Ahsan Iqbal emphasized that expanding access to quality education in underserved areas is a key pillar of the PM’s vision under URAAN Pakistan, which places strong emphasis on human capital development and equal educational opportunities in under-developed regions.
He directed the Ministry of Education to present a year-wise breakup and operating expenditure details of all Daanish Schools. Furthermore, the Ministry was instructed to share financial requirements for operational budget with the Finance Division for the next year’s budget and the following three-year projections, ensuring complete visibility of future financial commitments related to these institutions so that projects operations are smoothly carried out.
Health Sector
Two revised projects related to the Health Sector were presented during the meeting.
The first project, titled “Upgradation of DHQ Hospital District Hafizabad”, worth Rs. 7931.330 million, was recommended to ECNEC for further consideration.
While discussing the proposal, Ahsan Iqbal observed that the project falls entirely within the provincial domain, as it is located in a major city of Punjab rather than in a remote or underserved area. He emphasized that such initiatives should ideally be financed by the provincial government, in line with constitutional responsibilities.
The forum noted that the federal government has already extended financial support beyond its mandated share. It was therefore decided that any additional financial liability would be borne by the Government of Punjab, and the province would reimburse excess funds released by the Centre, ensuring adherence to fiscal discipline and constitutional division of responsibilities.
The second health sector project titled “National Health Support Programme (KP Component)” worth Rs. 1335 million was approved by the forum after detailed deliberations.
While discussing the project, Ahsan Iqbal highlighted that strengthening the healthcare system is a core objective of the government’s URAAN Pakistan agenda , which prioritizes improved healthcare infrastructure, better access to medical services, and enhanced institutional capacity to serve citizens effectively.
Higher Education Sector
A project titled “Prime Minister's Scheme for Enabling Youth with Physical Challenges at HEIs through Electric Wheelchairs, Laptops for Blinds, Audio-Visual Aids – HEC” worth Rs. 1846.410 million was presented and approved by the forum.
During the discussion, Ahsan Iqbal stated that empowering youth and ensuring inclusive access to education are central components of URAAN Pakistan , which seeks to equip the next generation with knowledge, skills, and technological tools necessary to compete in the modern knowledge economy.
He directed the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to ensure that the facility is strictly extended to full-time enrolled students of public sector universities only, and not to private institutions or non-enrolled individuals, so that the targeted beneficiaries receive maximum support.
Information Technology Sector
A revised project titled “Land Records Management Information System in the Rural Areas of ICT, Islamabad” worth Rs. 185.691 million was presented and approved by the forum.
While discussing the project, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Ahsan Iqbal highlighted that Information Technology is a key pillar of URAAN Pakistan , as well as a central component of the government’s 5Es framework under the E-Pakistan and Digital Transformation agenda. He emphasized that digitization of public services, particularly land records, will promote transparency, efficiency, and improved service delivery, while also strengthening governance and reducing administrative bottlenecks
Physical Planning & Housing Sector
Two projects related to Physical Planning & Housing were approved:
• “Construction of Admin Block of Supreme Court Branch Registry at Quetta – New” worth Rs. 231.604 million
• “Pakistan Audit & Accounts Academy (PAAA) Islamabad – Revised” worth Rs. 3106.030 million
These initiatives are expected to strengthen institutional infrastructure and enhance governance capacity, contributing to improved public sector administration.
Power Sector
Three projects related to the Power Sector were presented during the meeting.
The first project, “Electricity Distribution Efficiency Improvement Project HESCO funded by WORLD Bank”, worth Rs. 19016.811 million, was recommended to ECNEC for further consideration. The project is proposed to be financed through World Bank funding of Rs. 17,635.87 million and HESCO own resources of Rs. 1,380.94 million.
The second project, “Electricity Distribution Efficiency Improvement Project (PESCO)”, worth Rs. 30255.810 million, was also recommended to ECNEC. The project will be financed through World Bank funding of Rs. 29,321.13 million and PESCO own resources of Rs. 934.73 million.
Another project, “Hydropower and Renewable Energy-II, Gilgit-Baltistan”, worth Rs. 3781.476 million, was approved by the forum. The project aims to promote clean energy and improve energy access in the region.
Water Sector
A revised project titled “KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA IRRIGATED AGRICULTURE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT” worth Rs. 50956.294 million was recommended to ECNEC for further consideration.
The project is proposed to be financed through World Bank funding of USD 171 million (80% of the total cost) and farmers’ contribution of 20%.
The project includes rehabilitation and improvement of 14,260 community watercourses across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa including merged districts, installation of high-efficiency irrigation systems (drip and sprinkler) on 11,650 acres, construction of 5,000 water storage tanks, provision of 500 laser land leveling units, and training and mobilization of 14,260 Water Users Associations (WUAs).Additional components include public awareness campaigns on water conservation, promotion of climate-smart agriculture, pilot demonstrations of modern irrigation technologies, and studies to support evidence-based policymaking in irrigated agriculture.
