Pakistan’s CDWP approves development projects worth billions

The Central Development Working Party (CDWP), chaired by Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, approved 10 development projects during its recent meeting, endorsing four projects worth PKR 14.3 billion while referring six major initiatives totaling PKR 1.82 trillion to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for final approval.

The approved and referred projects span key sectors such as education, higher education, information technology, housing, power, water resources, and transportation, sources told Nukta.

In education, the CDWP reviewed the PKR 28 billion "Getting Results: Access and Delivery of Quality Education Services in Balochistan" project, referring it to ECNEC for consideration.

Funded with US$ 100 million from the World Bank, the initiative aims to improve education access, teaching quality, data-driven accountability, climate resilience, and emergency preparedness.

Higher education saw approval for the PKR 3.9 billion "Establishment of Sub-Campus Quaid-I-Azam University Islamabad at Sharaqpur, Sheikhupura," contingent upon Punjab's land provision and university syndicate approval.

In IT, three projects were approved, including a PKR 5 billion initiative supporting startups and IT training, a PKR 579.8 million program strengthening the planning ministry's IT systems, and the PKR 4.8 billion "National Semiconductor HR Development Program" aimed at enhancing the workforce in the semiconductor industry.

Under physical planning and housing, a PKR 16.1 billion project for constructing customs complexes and digital enforcement stations was referred to ECNEC.

The revised "Dasu Hydropower Project (Stage-I)" was among the largest referred projects, totaling PKR 1.737 trillion. Minister Iqbal underscored its strategic importance for Pakistan’s water and food security but expressed concerns over soaring costs from PKR 479 billion to PKR 1.73 trillion due to mismanagement and delays. He ordered third-party validation of cost escalations and sought explanations from WAPDA regarding fiscal oversight.

Transport and water projects also featured prominently, with ECNEC set to review rehabilitation efforts for Sindh's flood-affected areas, Quetta’s water supply improvements, and flood management initiatives in Balochistan.

Minister Iqbal reiterated the government’s commitment to transparency and efficient spending, stating, “Every rupee is a sacred trust and must be guarded with utmost responsibility to achieve development goals.”