ISLAMABAD: The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) on Saturday approved seven development projects worth Rs34.66 billion and referred two major projects totalling Rs44.62bn to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) for final approval.

Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal chaired the meeting. It was attended by Secretary for Planning, Awais Manzur Sumra, and senior representatives from relevant federal ministries and provincial governments.

The approved and recommended projects span key sectors, including education and training, governance, health, higher education, information technology, physical planning and housing, power, transport and communications, and water resources.

An official announcement issued after the meeting said the CDWP approved the revised Phase-II project for the University of Turbat worth Rs1.93bn, covering new academic and student hostels, a new academic block, IT systems, lab and office equipment, and support facilities to establish a modern, fully equipped campus.

Refers another two schemes, costing Rs44.62bn, to Ecnec

A revised project in the Information Technology sector, namely “Automation of Post Office”, for Rs6.644bn, was approved outside the PSDP funding through the Export-Import Bank of Korea (KExim). The project aims to digitally transform Pakistan Post by automating 2,761 post offices across the country, strengthening financial services and modernising end-to-end postal operations.

The organisation’s lack of digital transformation led to a 65pc loss of revenue to competitors who fully embraced digital systems in line with modern market demands.

The CDWP has approved two major development initiatives aimed at boosting education and governance capacity. Among the approved projects is the establishment of Daanish School in Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with an estimated cost of Rs3.319bn.

In the governance sector, the CDWP endorsed the enhancement of the capacity of federal government entities in preparation for policy, programmes, and projects (Umbrella Programme), a comprehensive initiative valued at Rs5.43bn, which was approved. This is aimed at strengthening institutional effectiveness and strategic planning across federal departments.

The CDWP also approved a revised health sector project titled Establishment of Stroke Intervention & Expansion of Critical Care/Cardiac Facilities at PIMS,” with an estimated cost of Rs7.22bn, aimed at enhancing specialised medical services at the premier healthcare facility.

In the Physical Planning and Housing sector, the CDWP approved the revised project titled Project Readiness Financing for Punjab Provincial Projects under the Punjab Intermediate Cities Impro­vement Investment Program, with an estimated cost of Rs4.83bn.

Additionally, the meeting approved Rs5.274bn for a major revised Power sector project titled “Rehabilitation of Khyber I, II & III and Nagar Khas I & II Hydropower Stations, E&M Equipment for Chalt, Energy Effi­ciency and Gender Com­ponent (Development of Hydr­opower and Renewable Energy III — KfW Grant Programme)”.

A revised project related to the Transport & Communications sector was presented at the meeting, namely the Cons­truction of Link Highway (4-lane) connecting the Lahore-Sialkot Motorway at Umerkot to Narang Mandi, including the Narowal Eastern Bypass, worth Rs28.964bn, and was recommended to Ecnec for further consideration.

A revised project namely “Pehur High Level Canal Extension Project” worth Rs15.654bn was recommended to Ecnec for further consideration.

Published in Dawn, November 16th, 2025