CDWP approves 7 projects worth Rs15bn, refers 4 major schemes of Rs108bn

March 05, 2026 (MLN): The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) approved seven development projects worth Rs15.174bn across key sectors including education, health, higher education, IT, housing, power and governance, while recommending four major projects with a cumulative cost of Rs108.16bn to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for further consideration.

The initiatives are aimed at strengthening human capital, modernizing governance, improving infrastructure and supporting sustainable economic growth under the government’s development framework “URAAN Pakistan”.

The meeting was chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives and Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Ahsan Iqbal, according to a press release issued.

It was attended by the Chief Economist, Vice Chancellor of PIDE, members of the Planning Commission, federal secretaries, heads of provincial Planning and Development departments, and senior representatives from relevant ministries and provincial governments.

In the education sector, the forum approved the project “Establishment of Daanish School at Azad Jammu and Kashmir (Haveli-Kahuta)” worth Rs4.687bn, with directions to rationalize the cost according to previously approved Daanish Schools PC-I.

Ahsan Iqbal emphasized that expanding access to quality education in underserved areas is a key pillar of the prime minister’s vision under URAAN Pakistan. He directed the Ministry of Education to provide a year-wise breakup and operational expenditure details for all Daanish Schools and share future financial requirements with the Finance Division.

In the health sector, two revised projects were discussed. The project “Upgradation of DHQ Hospital District Hafizabad” worth Rs7.93bn was recommended to ECNEC.

During discussion, Ahsan Iqbal noted that the project falls within the provincial domain and should ideally be financed by the Government of Punjab.

It was decided that any additional financial liability would be borne by the provincial government, which would also reimburse excess funds released by the federal government. Meanwhile, the “National Health Support Programme (KP Component)” worth Rs1.335bn was approved by the forum to strengthen healthcare services in the province.

Under the higher education sector, the CDWP approved the project “Prime Minister's Scheme for Enabling Youth with Physical Challenges at HEIs through Electric Wheelchairs, Laptops for Blinds, Audio-Visual Aids HEC” worth Rs1.846bn.

The planning minister stressed that the facility should be extended strictly to full-time enrolled students of public sector universities to ensure targeted support for deserving beneficiaries.

In the information technology sector, the forum approved the revised project “Land Records Management Information System in the Rural Areas of ICT, Islamabad” worth Rs185.69 million.

The initiative aims to digitize land records to enhance transparency, efficiency and service delivery under the government’s digital transformation agenda.

Two projects under the physical planning and housing sector were also approved: “Construction of Admin Block of Supreme Court Branch Registry at Quetta” worth Rs231.6 million and the revised “Pakistan Audit and Accounts Academy (PAAA) Islamabad” project costing Rs3.106bn.

These projects are expected to strengthen institutional infrastructure and governance capacity.

In the power sector, two projects were referred to ECNEC for approval: the “Electricity Distribution Efficiency Improvement Project HESCO” worth Rs19.02bn and the “Electricity Distribution Efficiency Improvement Project (PESCO)” costing Rs30.26bn.

Both projects will largely be financed through World Bank funding with contributions from the respective power distribution companies.

Additionally, the CDWP approved the “Hydropower and Renewable Energy-II, Gilgit-Baltistan” project worth Rs3.78bn to promote clean energy and improve electricity access in the region.

In the water sector, the revised “Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Irrigated Agriculture Improvement Project” worth Rs50.96bn was recommended to ECNEC.

The project, proposed to be financed 80% through World Bank funding and 20% through farmers’ contribution, includes rehabilitation of over 14,000 community watercourses, installation of high-efficiency irrigation systems, construction of 5,000 water storage tanks, provision of laser land leveling units, and training of water user associations to promote climate-smart agriculture and water conservation.

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