ISLAMABAD, Oct 26 (APP):The Central Development Working Party (CDWP), chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal, on Monday approved 10 development projects worth Rs40.915 billion and recommended three projects worth Rs172.25 billion to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for consideration.
The projects cover key sectors, including education, higher education, power, transport and communications, water resources and mass media, supporting the government’s URAAN Pakistan development agenda, a news release said.
In the water resources sector, the CDWP recommended the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Resilient Irrigated Agriculture Livelihoods Development Project, worth Rs69.893 billion, to ECNEC.
The project aims to rehabilitate the Pehur Main Canal, construct the Mulkhow Irrigation Distribution System and extend the Pehur High Level Canal to improve irrigation facilities and support agricultural livelihoods in the province.
The forum also recommended the Integrated Hill Torrent Management (Chachar-Mithawan) project, worth Rs85.342 billion, for Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur districts of Punjab.
The project envisages modern irrigation systems, flood protection channels and improved water monitoring infrastructure.
In the transport sector, the CDWP recommended the improvement and widening of the 39-kilometre Chakdara-Timergara section of National Highway N-45, costing Rs17.012 billion, to ECNEC.
The project aims to improve connectivity with Dir and Chitral and facilitate trade and tourism.
Among the approved initiatives, the forum considered education projects, including the establishment of Daanish Schools in various regions and the federal capital, as well as youth development, sports and innovation programmes.
The CDWP also approved initiatives for the revamping of Pakistan Television Corporation, installation of a pilot Battery Energy Storage System at the 220 kV Jhimpir-I Grid Station and construction of an eight-lane overhead bridge at Imamia Colony Railway Crossing in Shahdara, Lahore.
The Prime Minister’s Solar Scheme for Newly Merged Districts, worth Rs13.323 billion, was also approved in principle and referred to ECNEC for consideration.
The meeting was attended by senior officials of the Planning Commission, federal ministries and provincial planning and development departments.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
