The federal government has moved forward with development projects worth Rs. 213.165 billion covering irrigation, flood control, roads, schools, solar power, youth programmes and broadcasting.
The Central Development Working Party (CDWP), chaired by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal on October 26, approved 10 projects worth Rs. 40.915 billion and recommended three projects worth Rs. 172.25 billion to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for further consideration.
The combined value of the two groups is Rs. 213.165 billion. However, the projects are at different stages of approval.
One of the major projects is a Rs. 69.893 billion irrigation scheme in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Asian Development Bank will provide Rs. 56.133 billion, while the provincial government will contribute Rs. 11.692 billion. Land acquisition will be funded separately.
The project aims to repair the Pehur Main Canal, build the Mulkhow Irrigation Distribution System and extend the Pehur High Level Canal to improve irrigation and support farmers.
Another major initiative is the Rs. 85.342 billion Integrated Hill Torrent Management project in Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur, Punjab. The Asian Development Bank will contribute Rs. 73.06 billion, while the Punjab government will provide Rs. 12.282 billion.
The project includes irrigation systems, flood protection channels and monitoring technology to help manage hill torrents and reduce flood risks.
Schools and Youth Projects
The CDWP approved several education and youth projects in principle, with some requiring cost reviews or further technical work.
The proposed Daanish Schools initiative across Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Balochistan, KP and Sindh has a stated cost of Rs. 122.4 million. The CDWP directed officials to review and rationalize the cost.
A Daanish School in Kuri, Islamabad, costing Rs. 7.357 billion, also received in-principle approval. Another school in Kan Mehterzai, Qila Saifullah, Balochistan, worth Rs. 4.528 billion, was approved in principle, with a technical committee asked to review the project.
The youth initiatives include Prime Minister’s Youth Development Centers costing Rs. 4.145 billion, the first phase of the Talent Hunt Youth Sports League at Rs. 3.988 billion, and the National Innovation Award at Rs. 1.97 billion.
A separate Rs. 2.956 billion project covers sports academies, a High Performance and Resource Centre, and Youth Olympics.
The youth centers project will include third-party checks and regular monitoring. A steering committee under the Pakistan Sports Board will coordinate the Talent Hunt Youth Sports League across provinces and regions.
Solar Power and PTV Revamp
The CDWP approved in principle a Rs. 4.395 billion pilot battery storage project at the 220 kV Jhimpir-I Grid Station. It aims to improve grid stability and help the power system use more renewable energy.
The Rs. 13.323 billion Prime Minister’s Solar Scheme for Newly Merged Districts was also approved in principle and referred to ECNEC. It aims to provide solar power to households that are not connected to the electricity grid.
The forum also approved in principle a Rs. 3.962 billion project to revamp Pakistan Television Corporation. The plan focuses on digital upgrades, earning more from international assets and improving the broadcaster’s long-term finances.
Road Projects
The CDWP recommended a Rs. 17.012 billion project to widen and improve a 39-kilometre section of National Highway N-45 between Chakdara and Timergara. The project is expected to receive foreign funding through Exim Bank.
The road upgrade aims to improve travel between Chakdara, Timergara, Dir and Chitral and support trade, road safety and tourism in the Kalash, Shandur and Kumrat valleys.
The CDWP also approved a Rs. 7.492 billion project to build an eight-lane overhead bridge at Imamia Colony Railway Crossing on National Highway N-5 in Shahdara, Lahore.
The project includes work on connecting roads to help reduce traffic congestion in Shahdara Town.
