Pakistan has moved ahead with five development projects carrying a combined cost of Rs. 60.259 billion, including a major Rs. 29 billion scheme to supply water to Gwadar from Mirani Dam.
The projects were reviewed by the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) in a meeting chaired by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal on August 30.
Three projects costing Rs. 11.714 billion were approved by the CDWP, while two projects worth Rs. 48.545 billion were sent to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for approval.
The Gwadar water supply project, costing Rs. 29 billion, was among those referred to ECNEC. It involves building water supply infrastructure and related facilities to provide a more reliable supply to Gwadar Town.
Iqbal also ordered the Balochistan government to begin work on a study for wastewater treatment in Gwadar. He warned that untreated sewage should not be allowed to enter the sea.
The project can proceed to the bidding stage, but the contract cannot be awarded until ECNEC approves it.
The CDWP also approved a Rs. 4.924 billion Medical and Nursing College in Gilgit. The project was originally launched in 2017 but remained delayed because of funding problems. Iqbal called for its early completion to expand medical education and healthcare capacity in the region.
A Rs. 2.753 billion National Defence University FCS Campus at Defence Complex Islamabad was also approved. Iqbal directed the university to work with the Planning Commission on research supporting Pakistan’s economic and export targets.
The meeting further approved a Rs. 4.037 billion project to build a 53.4-kilometre road between Zera and Daboori in Orakzai District. The minister directed officials to release the remaining funds before winter to help complete the project, which has been pending since 2016.
The Rs. 19.545 billion Karachi Neighborhood Improvement Project was referred to ECNEC for further consideration. The project is proposed to be financed through foreign funding and Sindh’s development program.
The projects are part of the government’s URAAN Pakistan development program.
