CDWP approves 18 projects to power Pakistan’s future

October 20, 2025 (MLN): The Central Development Working Party (CDWP), under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives and Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Professor Ahsan Iqbal, has approved 18 major development projects spanning key sectors such as agriculture, governance, health, higher education, environment, energy, transport and water resources.

Of these, twelve projects worth Rs35.4bn received approval, while six mega projects with a total cost of Rs280.2bn were referred to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for final endorsement.

During the meeting, Professor Ahsan Iqbal highlighted that development should be viewed not merely as a collection of projects but as an investment in people, performance, and purpose, stressing that every approved initiative must contribute to building a better future for Pakistan.

The minister highlighted that the government’s development strategy is rooted in Vision 2025 and the Uraan Pakistan 5Es Framework Exports, E-Pakistan, Energy & Infrastructure, Environment, and Equity & Empowerment which together aim to transform Pakistan into a competitive and knowledge-based economy by 2047.

Recognizing the importance of agriculture as the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, the CDWP cleared several transformative initiatives to modernize farming and strengthen value chains.

The Punjab Resilient and Inclusive Agriculture Transformation (PRIAT) project worth Rs68.67bn was referred to ECNEC, while the National Program for Animal Disease Surveillance and Control, valued at Rs7.35bn, was approved to enhance livestock exports and align with international standards.

The Punjab Climate Resilient and Low Carbon Agriculture Mechanization Project (P-CLAMP) worth Rs36.12bn, financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), was also referred to ECNEC for consideration.

Under the governance reforms agenda, the CDWP approved the Punjab Resource Improvement and Digital Effectiveness (PRIDE) Program worth Rs3.08bn to enhance fiscal management and promote digital governance.

In the health sector, three key projects were approved to improve healthcare delivery and child welfare the National Health Support Program (Rs2.17bn), Extension of Child Health Facilities in Southern Punjab (Rs6.40bn) funded by JICA, and D-TALK & Insulin for Life (Rs1.39bn) supported by XEM Korea.

Ahsan Iqbal stressed that every rupee invested in health must yield tangible outcomes and instructed the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to integrate diabetes initiatives under the National Diabetes Program for greater national impact.

In the field of education and research, the CDWP approved the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) Campus Project in Pattoki worth Rs1.46bn to strengthen veterinary education and support Pakistan’s livestock sector.

Environmental sustainability also remained a top priority, with the approval of the Construction of Wastewater Treatment Plant at Babu Sabu, Lahore, worth Rs52.19bn and financed by the French Development Agency (AFD).

The project will treat 88 million gallons of wastewater per day using biogas and solar integration, significantly improving urban sanitation and protecting the River Ravi ecosystem.

To promote renewable energy and self-reliance, three hydropower projects were approved in Azad Jammu and Kashmir Phullawai (3 MW), Khurshidabad (2.71 MW), and Naushera (1.95 MW). These small-scale projects aim to provide clean and affordable energy to local communities, aligning with the Energy and Infrastructure pillar of Uraan Pakistan.

Meanwhile, the Strengthening Social Protection Delivery System in Sindh, worth Rs64.4bn and co-financed by the World Bank and Government of Sindh, was referred to ECNEC to enhance the efficiency and outreach of welfare programs.

In the transport and communications sector, three major initiatives were discussed to improve connectivity and urban mobility. The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Quetta Feasibility Study, worth Rs1.24bn, was approved to enhance urban transport in Balochistan’s capital.

The Preliminary Design and Drawings for ML-1 and Havelian Dry Port, valued at Rs16.26bn, was referred to ECNEC under CPEC Phase-II, while the Detailed Engineering Design of ML-1 Rohri Khanpur Multan Section, amounting to Rs3.21bn, received approval with ADB financing.

Ahsan Iqbal described ML-1 as Pakistan’s leap into the 21st century, urging Pakistan Railways to commercialize its land assets to self-finance future upgrades.

Two key water sector projects were also cleared to address Pakistan’s long-term water and agricultural sustainability challenges.

The Kachhi Canal Restoration Project, worth Rs5.65bn, will restore irrigation capacity and repair flood damages, while the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Irrigated Agriculture Improvement Project, worth Rs50.95bn and financed by the World Bank, will improve water efficiency through modern irrigation systems and high-efficiency technologies.

These initiatives are part of the Environment and Climate Change pillar of Uraan Pakistan, designed to build resilience against climate risks.

The meeting was attended by Secretary Planning Awais Manzur Sumra, the Vice Chancellor of PIDE, the Chief Economist, and senior representatives from federal ministries, provincial departments, and development partners.

The CDWP’s approvals reflect the government’s focus on inclusive, sustainable, and innovation-led development, ensuring that every rupee spent contributes to Pakistan’s economic growth, social welfare, and environmental protection.

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