ISLAMABAD, Jan 7: The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Wednesday approved 33 development projects worth Rs185.6 billion, including some water-related schemes valued at Rs100 billion, which predominantly fall in Punjab.
Among the projects given the green light, the Rs5.76bn Madressa Reforms Programme is a significant one, and is to be executed throughout Pakistan. Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz told reporters after the meeting that consideration was given to projects that would yield higher employment opportunities, reduce poverty and generate economic activity.
These projects would have a foreign exchange component of about Rs29.3 billion and would be completed over a long period of time. A total of seven water-sector projects worth Rs100 billion were approved by Ecnec. Of them, three major projects, involving a total cost ffof Rs80 billion, would be launched in Punjab.
These include Rs29 billion Punjab barrages rehabilitation and modernization project, Rs31 billion lining of irrigation channels and Rs20 billion irrigation system rehabilitation project.
Besides these, the 33 projects included six projects in the communications sector costing Rs14.5 billion, including a foreign exchange component (FEC) of Rs7.5 billion, four projects in health costing Rs23.55 billion, including an FEC of Rs919.117 million, three projects in devolution and area development costing Rs2.59 billion, including an FEC of Rs374.528 million, two projects in rural development costing Rs10.407 billion, including an FEC of Rs7.1 billion, two projects in electronic media amounting to Rs2.639 billion, including an FEC of Rs1.573 billion, two projects in physical planning and housing worth Rs6.8 billion, including an FEC of Rs1.056 billion, two projects in education amounting to Rs10 billion, including an FEC of Rs4.15 billion, three projects in energy valued at Rs12.875 billion, including an FEC of Rs6.66 billion and one project each in IT and industry costing Rs1.841 billion and Rs311 million, respectively.
WATER: The Ecnec approved Rs700 million construction of 43 new minor canals in the command of Pat Feeder canal and remodelling and extension of existing 49 minor canals. Located in Naseerabad district of Balochistan, the project would ensure an equitable distribution of water and irrigate an area of 74,884 acres with assured and dependable supply.
Ecnec approved Rs29.049 billion Punjab barrages rehabilitation and modernization project. Under the project Jinnah, Taunsa, Khanki, Balloki, Sulemanki, and Islam Barrages in Punjab will be modernized and rehabilitated.
The meeting approved Rs30.996 billion lining of irrigation channels project in Punjab. The project would enable increased water supply, water conservation and generation of new water resources. It would also reduce seepage, improve environment, and ensure operational efficiency of the irrigation system in the province.
Under the project, 8,873 canal miles of the channels will be lined. It would involve 2.582 million tons of cement, 3,963 tons of re-enforcement and save around 0.98 MAF water. The project is expected to generate employment and create increased demand for cement.
Ecnec also approved Rs20,107 million Irrigation System Rehabilitation Project for Punjab to provide equitable and assured water supply to farmers by strengthening 9520-km canal, 750 modules and 90 regulators.
The meeting also approved Extension of Pat Feeder canal for utilization of Indus water for Balochistan as per Water Accord 1991 at a cost of Rs2.243 billion. It would provide irrigation supplies to an additional area of 159,000 acres located at the tail-end of the canal.
It would increase present discharge of Pat Feeder from 6,700 cusecs to 8,560 cusecs. The project is expected to increase agricultural production and generate employment in the region.
Ecnec also approved Rs12.445 billion lining of distributaries and minors in Sindh province. It would benefit perennial and non-perennial areas in the canal command of Guddu, Sukkur, and Kotri barrages.
Under the project, 1,752 miles of distributaries and minors in saline areas of Guddu, Sukkur, and Kotri barrages would save around 0.954 maf water from seepage losses and bring around 445,684 acres of new land under cultivation.
Ecnec also approved Rs4.485 billion Balochistan Effluent Disposal into RBOD. The project would increase agricultural production by providing effective drainage system in the Pat Feeder Canal Ground.
ENERGY: Ecnec approved Keyal Khawar Hydropower project at a total cost of Rs7.066 billion with foreign exchange component of Rs3.032 billion. The Rs2.909 billion Sahiwal 500-KV substation was also approved to ensure reliable and quality power supply to the consumers. The meeting approved upgradation of Load Dispatch System (Phase II) at the cost of Rs2.895 billion.
HEALTH: The meeting approved Rs549.179 million with an FEC of Rs207.201 million for Gilgit Institute of Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicines.
Ecnec also approved Rs22.460 billion National Programme for Family Planning and Primary Health Care. It would deploy 87,500 lady health workers to provide primary health care, especially in less developed rural areas. The meeting also approved establishment of Multan Institute of Cardiology at a cost of Rs754.277 million.
The Institute would provide 150-bed Cardiology Institute at Multan to provide diagnostic and therapeutic facilities relating to heart diseases in Southern Punjab.
EDUCATION: The meeting approved Rs5.759 billion Madressa Reforms Programme. To be executed throughout Pakistan, including Fata, Fana, AJK and ICT under the directives of the president, it would bridge the gap between the formal and Madressa education. It would introduce formal education in 8,000 Madaris (Primary 4000, Middle 3000 and intermediate 1000).
Under the programme formal subjects like English, Maths, Social Studies, and General Science would be introduced at the primary, middle, and secondary levels, while English, Economics, Pak Studies and Computer Science will be introduced at the intermediate level.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: The meeting approved Rs1.841 billion IT, Computer Science teachers, Lab incharges programme.
ELECTRONIC MEDIA: To equip Pakistan Television Corporation with the latest equipment to improve its professional output, the meeting approved Rs2.207 billion.
COMMUNICATION: The meeting approved improvement and upgradation of N-65 road from Dera Allah Yar to Nuttal road in Balochistan at a cost of Rs770.058 million.
Under the project the existing 6.1 meter road would be widened to 7.3 meters to ensure smooth flow of increased traffic between Sindh and Balochistan. Improvement of Western Bypass Quetta costing Rs225.47 million was approved to widen the carriageway from single lane to two lanes.
Construction of 247 kilometres long Kalat-Quetta-Chaman section of the National Highway (N-25) was approved at the cost of Rs6.671 billion with an FEC of Rs4.036 billion.
To be co-financed by ADB, the existing road would be widened from 6.1 meters to 7.3 meters to cater for the projected increase to 7276 vehicles per day. The section would also be linked between Chaman and Gwadar.