KARACHI, Jan 1: The Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP), which met here under the chairmanship of Additional Secretary Planning and Development Nazar Hussain Mahar, considered a large number of schemes.

The schemes pertained to health (3), social welfare (4), livestock and fisheries (4), PP&H (2), transport and communication (25), culture and tourism (1) and Khairpur package (1), showing a collective cost of Rs15,431.91 million.

The health sector schemes propose construction of a 400-bed hospital, revitalisation of medical colleges and revamping of teaching hospitals. Costing Rs989.215 million, these schemes were considered subject to the first feasibility reports, master plan and situation analysis. The meeting also called for exploring possibility of public-private partnership in executing the schemes.

The only social welfare scheme costing Rs29.335 million related to the establishment of community development centres was considered and approved.

The four schemes of livestock and fisheries sector concerned setting up of a veterinary dispensary, a poultry vaccine centre, a model fish harbour at Keti Bunder and promotion of shrimp and fish production.

Realising the importance of transport and communication sector, it was stressed that the option of public-private partnership be explored for the execution of the 25 proposed schemes. It was observed that the government was pursuing a policy of proper and extensive development. As such, the 25 schemes in this sector were considered and approved.

The meeting called on all the departments concerned to adopt a modular approach and prioritise their schemes.

It gave approval for a scheme pertaining to the laying of a water pipeline from Keenjhar Lake to Nooriabad with an estimated cost of Rs1,064.133 million.

Redevelopment of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar at Sehwan Sharif (phase-III) at a cost of around Rs654.082 million was also approved.

The scheme relating to culture and tourism sector provided for the setting up of the “institute for preservation, designing and promotion of Kashi” at Bhit Shah. Costing Rs120.825 million, the scheme was considered and approved.

Under the Khairpur package, a scheme for the construction of Bilawal Park and beautification of Khairpur City at Bhurgari Regulator was approved. The scheme will cost Rs28.20 million.

The meeting was attended by chief economist, special secretaries, administrative secretaries, heads of planning & development and finance departments and representatives of the departments concerned.—APP