ISLAMABAD – The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) has cleared seven development projects worth Rs236 billion. The approval came during a meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, who also serves as Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission.
During the meeting, the CDWP approved three projects costing Rs8 billion and referred four projects worth Rs228 billion to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for final approval. Officials were directed to ensure that new foreign loan agreements are negotiated only after confirmation of adequate rupee cover under the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP).
Among the approved initiatives, the forum cleared a revised project in the education sector, “Action to Strengthen Performance for Inclusive and Responsive Education Program,” worth Rs1.38 billion. It also approved the “National Center for Brand Development” project with a revised cost of Rs1.85 billion, which aims to promote national branding and support small and medium enterprises.
In the health sector, the “Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research” project, costing Rs74.9 billion, was referred to ECNEC. Planned for Lahore, the institute will be developed in two phases, including a specialized hospital, cancer care clinic, hospice facility, and bone marrow transplant center. Phase II will expand services with another hospital block and parking facilities.
The CDWP also reviewed key infrastructure and energy projects. The “Harpo Hydropower Project (34.5MW)” in Gilgit-Baltistan was referred to ECNEC with a revised cost of Rs34.3 billion. Ahsan Iqbal expressed concern over delays in the project and urged authorities to utilize foreign grants effectively to resolve the region’s electricity crisis.
Other major projects referred to ECNEC included the “Karachi–Lahore Motorway land acquisition and relocation” project worth Rs68.7 billion, and the “Balochistan Water Resources Development Sector Project” with a revised cost of Rs49.9 billion. The latter will be funded through a mix of ADB loans, grants, and provincial contributions.
The meeting also granted concept clearance to explore international financing for five proposals, including three agriculture-related projects from Balochistan and the issuance of a Panda Bond by the Ministry of Finance.
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