The Central Development Working Party has prioritised health by approving two health projects worth Rs30 billion including Prime Minister’s National Health Programme worth Rs8.2 billion and Expanded Program on Immunization Punjab worth Rs22.3 billion with an FEC of Rs4 billion.
Overall, the CDWP approved seven projects worth Rs 84 billion, including five projects costing Rs80 billion, which were referred to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC). The meeting was chaired by Minister Planning, Development and Reform Prof Ahsan Iqbal, and was attended by senior officers of the provincial governments and ministries concerned.
While giving his observations on the Prime Minister’s National Health Programme, The Minister directed the health ministry to include poorest districts in this programme. He also directed to advertise the Chief Executive post for this project and get the most competent person on market based pay. ”If you don’t get good human resource, then good results can not be achieved,” he observed. He directed formation of four-member committee to recruit top talent for the project. He noted that the success of this project depended on the ownership of the provinces therefore proper consultations must be done with them. He also directed to conduct a survey within three months to identify the gaps in remaining districts with consultation of the provinces for universal coverage from next year. While giving his observation on the Expanded Program on Immunization Punjab project, Prof Ahsan Iqbal directed to produce local vaccinations instead of importing it and submit quarterly report on the progress of the indigenous production.
The CDWP approved construction of office complex including boundary wall for the Survey of Pakistan, which would cost Rs284 million and AJ&K Legislative Assembly Complex to cost Rs2.9billion. He directed officers of the defence ministry to develop a business plan related to the dissemination of development related maps of Pakistan. ”We should have G-Pakistan Vision like E-Pakistan,” said the Minister.
The CDWP also approved position paper of construction of 15 residences for police officers in sector H-11 Islamabad. The Minister directed formation of a three-members committee to conduct inquiry against authorities, who approved this project without authorisation of the competent forum.
For the transport and communication sector, the CDWP approved 6-lane highway from Kala Shah Kaku to Lahore Ring Road, including a bridge over The Ravi River, which would cost Rs15.3 billion. He directed to rationalise the cost and also re examine the design and strucrure of the project in view of projected traffic. The provision for Ravi bridge should be for eight lanes.
For the governance sector, the CDWP approved Government of Sind project for enhancing of the public-private partnership, which would cost Rs19 billion.
For the energy sector, the CDWP recommended for approval renewable energy development sector investment programme – worth Rs15.7 billion with an FEC of Rs4.8 million – of the KP government to the ECNEC. This includes constructions of 36.6MW HPP Daral Khwar Swat, 17 MW HPP Kohistan, 2.6 MW Machi HPP Mardan, and PEDO Office Building, capacity-building and development of PEDO and related entities of the energy and power departments and feasibility studies of Koto Jabori and Karora HPPs.
The CDWP also gave concept clearance of two projects, which included: automation of post offices through NIPA inter governmental cooperation of cost Rs1.2 billion, and Dargai Hydro Station Rehabilitation worth Rs4.8 billion.
