The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) met 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 15 development projects worth Rs. 34.740 billion, while 9 major projects with a cumulative cost of Rs. 431.022 billion were recommended to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for further consideration.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary Planning Awais Manzur Sumra, Chief Economist, VC PIDE, Members of the Planning Commission, Federal Secretaries, heads of Provincial Planning & Development Board Departments, and senior representatives from relevant federal ministries and provincial governments.
The agenda included projects from critical sectors including, Fuel, Health, Information Technology Higher Education, Physical Planning & Housing, Power, Science & Technology and Transport & Communications. 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.
Fifteen projects related to various sectors, all four provinces, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJ&K) accorded in-principle approval from the CDWP. The projects presented before the forum covered diverse sectors including mineral exploration, healthcare, digital infrastructure, security, energy, robotics, and road connectivity.
The projects approved by the forum include “Exploration of Radioactive Minerals, Marwat Range” worth Rs. 1440 million, “Provision of CT Scan & MRI Machines in DHQ Hospitals &Teaching Hospitals of AJ&K” worth Rs. 5483.290 million, “Establishment of Prime Minister’s E-Sports Arenas and Training Centers in HEIs – HEC” worth Rs. 3166.587 million, “Geospatialx Complex (GEO-AI Development & Innovation Hub)” worth Rs. 4004.010 million, “Upgradation of IT Infrastructure at Faculty of Security Studies (FSS), National Defense University, Islamabad” worth Rs. 998.993 million, “PAKAWAZ Secure Mobile Communication Ecosystem” worth Rs. 708.712 million, “Acquisition of Land & Construction of Office-Cum Residential Accommodations for IBD Staff at Swat” worth Rs. 301.21 3 million, “Construction of Accommodation of Headquarters FC Balochistan (West)” worth Rs. 2019.325 million, “Construction of District Headquarter for Intelligence Bureau at Mithi District Tharparker” worth Rs. 112.130 million, “Capacity Enhancement of CAF-Management of Western Border by Construction of 120 Bedded Hospital for Frontier Corps (South) at Turbat (Ph-II)” worth Rs. 2485.094 million, “Construction of Accommodation for 5 x Wing Headquarters at Khwaja Khel, Bagh Maidan, Shin Qamar, Khyber Tribal District and Had Ambar / Khapakh Mohmand Tribal District and 20 x Border Out Posts Frontier Corps KP North” worth Rs. 3813.130 million, “Supply of Three Phase AMI Meters Under Power Distribution Strengthening Project-II (LESCO)” worth Rs. 6255.700 million, “Establishment of Robotics Centre of Excellence” worth Rs. 500 million, “Construction of Road from Essa Morr to Siddiquepura (Phase-I & II), (Revised)” worth Rs. 2033.799 million and “Construction of Road from Essa Morr to Siddiquepura and Chaal to Dholan Morr via Nonar Musalmanian Kila Ahmed Abad (21Km) (Revised)” worth Rs. 1417.784 million.
CDWP Recommended Nine Development Projects Worth Rs. 431.022 Billion for Further Consideration by ECNEC
The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) accorded in-principle approval to nine development projects across different sectors with a cumulative estimated cost of Rs. 431.022 billion and recommended them to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for further consideration.
Chairing the meeting, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Ahsan Iqbal, emphasized that the approved projects are aligned with the vision of URAAN Pakistan, focusing on digital transformation, modern infrastructure, connectivity, and sustainable economic growth. He highlighted that strategic investments in technology and infrastructure are essential for accelerating Pakistan’s journey towards a knowledge-based and competitive economy.
Three projects related to the Information Technology sector were presented before the forum. The project titled “ Establishment of Emerging Technologies Data Centre ” worth Rs. 7930 million was accorded in-principle approval and recommended to ECNEC for further consideration. The project aims to establish a national Emerging Technologies Data Centre to provide secure, sovereign, and government-owned Artificial Intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing infrastructure for Pakistan. The facility will support artificial intelligence, cloud computing, big data analytics, and digital services for government institutions, academia, research organizations, and the private sector. The project will strengthen data security and digital sovereignty, reduce reliance on foreign cloud providers, support indigenous AI solutions, and promote innovation, capacity building, and growth of the digital economy.
Another Information Technology sector project, “ National Artificial Intelligence Ecosystem Development Program (NAIEDP) ” worth Rs. 13,000 million, was accorded in-principle approval and recommended to ECNEC for further consideration. The project includes a comprehensive feasibility study through a specialized consultancy firm to assess the AI ecosystem, stakeholder landscape, technical and infrastructure requirements, financial and market viability, legal and governance frameworks, and risk mitigation measures. The study will lead to the development of an upgraded and implementation-ready PC-I to support informed decision-making and successful execution of the project.
The third IT sector project presented was,“ Pakistan Communication Satellite – 2 (PakSat-2) ” worth Rs. 37192.282 million, was accorded in-principle approval and recommended to ECNEC for further consideration. The project includes the development and deployment of a communication satellite in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) along with upgrading existing Ground Control and Operations Centers at Lahore and Karachi. The project will enhance satellite command, control, tracking, and operational capabilities by utilizing SUPARCO’s existing technical expertise and infrastructure.
A project related to the Physical Planning & Housing sector, “ Acquisition of Land and Hiring of Consultancy Firms for Feasibility Study for Establishment of Special Protection Unit (SPU) In ICT Police Islamabad ” worth Rs. 9412.984 million, was accorded in-principle approval and recommended to ECNEC for further consideration. The project includes acquisition of 26.76-kanal (16,189.80-Square Yard) land and hiring of consultancy firms for feasibility study and detailed engineering design for establishment of the SPU in Sector H-11, Islamabad.
A Power sector project presented by the Government of AJK namely “ Strengthening & Improvement of Electricity Supply Network in AJ&K ” worth Rs. 9999.981 million, was also accorded in-principle approval by the forum and recommended to ECNEC for further consideration. The proposed project focuses on reconductoring, load bifurcation, and upgradation of overloaded 11 kV feeders to improve voltage profile, system reliability, and reduce power outages. It also includes installation of new distribution transformers, augmentation of existing transformers, and establishment of repair workshops to enhance operational efficiency and timely restoration of power supply
Four projects related to the Transport and Communications sector were presented and accorded in-principle approval & recommended to ECNEC. These included “C onstruction of Lalamusa Bypass (N-5) ” worth Rs. 20,354.319 million and “ Up-gradation of Track and Allied Infrastructure on ML-3; Rohri–Sibi–Quetta–Koh-e-Taftan Section (996 Kms) ” worth Rs. 278,618.591 million. The ML-3 project is proposed to be financed through PSDP, with interim funding to be provided through bridge financing by Reko Diq Mining Company (RDMC) and the Government of Pakistan. The project includes track renewal, rehabilitation of embankments and bridges, replacement of turnouts, and construction of 11 new railway stations between Spezand and Taftan. The project will be implemented in two phases, with critical infrastructure works planned during Phase-I (2026–2030) and remaining priority works during Phase-II (2031–2033).
Another Transport and Communications sector project “ Construction of Mashkel - Chedgi Road (108.5 Km) CSR-2025 (Revised) ” worth Rs. 43647.080 million was accorded in-principle approval and recommended to ECNEC for further consideration. The project, proposed to be financed through 90% SFD and 10% PSDP, includes construction of a 4.1-kilometre-long tunnel along with approach roads, bridges, culverts, slope protection works, retaining walls, erosion control works, and allied infrastructure facilities.
Another revised T&C sector project, “C onstruction of Rathoa Haryam Bridge Across Reservoir channel on Mirpur-Islamgarh Road, Mirpur AJ&K ” worth Rs. 10867.189 million, was accorded in-principle approval and recommended to ECNEC for further consideration. The project involves construction of the Rathoa Haryam Bridge across the reservoir channel on Mirpur–Islamgarh Road along with associated road infrastructure. The road component includes construction of a 4.242-kilometer-long, two-lane approach road with a 7.3-meter-wide carriageway, inner and outer shoulders, and 400 meters of concrete retaining walls designed in accordance with AASHTO Policy 2004 standards. The bridge component comprises a 2.975-kilometer-long bridge divided into three zones based on geotechnical conditions, pier heights, and construction methodology to ensure structural stability and efficient execution.
While reviewing the project, Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives and Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Ahsan Iqbal stated that the project was a long-delayed initiative, with work remaining stalled since 2018. He highlighted that after the present government assumed office in April 2022, the project was accorded special attention, and the Ministry of Planning actively worked to resolve the outstanding issues and ensure its revival.
The Minister stated that through the support and commitment of the Federal Government, the project was reinitiated with a revised cost of Rs. 9.98 billion, fully funded through the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP). As a result of these dedicated efforts, the project, which was originally initiated in 2006, has now been physically completed, marking a significant milestone in the government’s commitment towards completion of stalled development initiatives.
