CDWP approves 10 key development projects

April 12, 2025 (MLN): The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) approved 10 development projects in its recent meeting, chaired by Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives and Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Ahsan Iqbal.

Out of these, four projects worth Rs14.31 billion were approved by the CDWP forum, while six projects amounting to Rs1.82 trillion have been recommended to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for consideration and final approval.

The meeting was attended by Secretary Planning Awais Manzur Sumra, members of the Planning Commission, Federal Secretaries, heads of Provincial Planning & Development departments, and representatives from Federal Ministries and Provincial Governments.

The agenda comprised projects across diverse sectors including Education & Training, Higher Education, Information Technology, Physical Planning & Housing, Power, Water Resources, and Transport & Communications.

In the Education & Training sector, the CDWP considered the project titled “Getting Results Accesses and Delivery of Quality Education Services in Balochistan (New)” worth Rs28bn, which has been referred to ECNEC for further consideration.

The project, to be financed through foreign funding of $100m from the World Bank, is designed to address systemic challenges in Balochistan’s education sector, according to the press release.

It encompasses four key components focusing on improving access to education, enhancing teaching quality, strengthening data-driven accountability, building resilience to climate change, and introducing emergency preparedness mechanisms.

In the Higher Education sector, the project “Establishment of Sub-Campus Quaid-I-Azam University Islamabad at Sharaqpur, Sheikhupura (New)” worth Rs3.89bn was approved after detailed deliberations on the condition of provision of land by Government of Punjab and approval by the syndicate of the university.

In the Information Technology sector, three projects were approved.

These include “Prime Minister's Initiatives Support for IT Startups, Specialized IT Trainings and Venture Capital (Revised)” worth Rs5bn and “Strengthening of Ministry of Planning, Development & Reform in IT (2nd Revised)” worth Rs579.8m.

Another project, “National Semiconductor HR Development Program (NSHRDP) Phase-I (New),” was also approved with an estimated cost of Rs4.84bn.

Under the Physical Planning & Housing sector, the project “Construction of Customs Complex at Sost (Part A) and Construction of Customs Digital Enforcement Stations by FBR along rivers Indus, Hub and in Balochistan (Part B) (Revised)” worth Rs. 16.1bn was referred to ECNEC.

In the Power sector, the revised “Dasu Hydropower Project (Stage-I)” worth Rs1.73tr was referred to ECNEC subject to WAPDA rationalising the costs and answering the queries.

Reviewing the project, Minister Ahsan Iqbal emphasized the strategic importance of Dasu Hydro power project for Pakistan’s water and food security.

He expressed serious concern on massive cost escalation from the original Rs479bn to almost Rs1.7tr due to delays and mismanagement in the project.

He directed to get third party validation of the astronomical increase in the revised PC-1.

The basic objective of the Dasu Hydropower Project is to expand the generation capacity of the power sector by exploiting the hydel potential of the country that is available on rivers to reduce carbon footprint and tap country’s hydro energy potential.

The Minister and the DCPC Ahsan Iqbal, while reviewing the Dasu project, emphasized the strategic importance of the Dasu for Pakistan’s water and food security, underscoring the need for its swift completion in the national interest.

He noted that previously the estimated construction cost was Rs479bn, with Rs120bn already allocated for land acquisition.

However, he attributed the substantial cost escalation to Rs1.73tr to mismanagement and delays and lack of progress during the previous government, which he described has disastrous consequences for development projects in every field.

He took notice of the fact that despite ECNEC directions to appoint an independent full-time Project Director for each project over Rs3bn, WAPDA didn’t appoint an independent Project Director (PD) for the project.

It was also pointed out that there was no professional CFO for the project.

The Minister asked, how is WAPDA running a project of this magnitude without a qualified and competent CFO? The Minister was angry to learn that WAPDA had awarded contract for the construction of 66 kms KKH section in foreign currency.

On his inquiry that why was road construction project done in foreign currency, WAPDA couldn’t give any satisfactory reply.

He called it a criminal negligence.

It was also pointed out that WAPDA had made design changes and incurred expenditure without approval from CDWP and ECNEC.

The Minister sought explanation from WAPDA.

In the Transport & Communications sector, the project “Sindh Flood Emergency Rehabilitation Project (SFERP) Phase-II” worth Rs12.26bn was referred to ECNEC.

The project will be financed through US$ 40 million in foreign funding from the World Bank and $4m by the Government of Sindh.

It aims to rehabilitate 145.94 kilometers of roads in four districts of Sindh, rescue stations, and to enhance disaster preparedness and emergency response capacities.

In the Water sector, the project “Balochistan Water Security and Productivity Improvement Project (BWS&PIP) Improvement of Quetta Water Supply System (New)” worth Rs9.8bn was referred to ECNEC.

Funded by the World Bank, the project will address Quetta’s acute water shortage and is part of a broader master plan to improve water supply, benefiting the city’s approximately three million residents.

Additionally, another water-related project titled “Flood Management of Kachhi Plains under Balochistan Water Security and Productivity Improvement Project (BWSPIP)” worth Rs17.17bn was also referred to ECNEC.

This project will be financed through IDA credit and aims to enhance flood management, improve water accessibility for productive use, and bring additional cultivable land under irrigation in Balochistan.

The CDWP reiterated its commitment to fast-tracking development initiatives that are critical for national perspective and inclusive growth, while ensuring transparency, efficiency, and sustainability in project execution.

The Minister said, “Pakistan’s development budget has shrunk considerably during 2018-22 as a result every rupee is a sacred trust and must be guarded and spent with utmost responsibility to achieve the desired development goals.”

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