CDWP approves 15 projects worth Rs422.7 bn

December 16, 2024 (MLN): The Central Development Working Party (CDWP), chaired by Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives (PDSI) Ahsan Iqbal, has approved 15 development projects worth Rs. 422.704 billion during its recent meeting, as per the press release issued today.

Out of these, 6 projects valued at Rs. 17.95 billion have been approved by the CDWP forum itself, while 9 projects worth Rs. 404.754 billion have been recommended to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for further consideration.

The agenda included discussion on projects of Health, Agriculture, Environment, Manpower, Governance, Water Resources, Transport & Communication and Science & Technology

Its primary objective is to increase agriculture incomes and employment for at least 100,000 rural households.

The initiative focuses on developing 50,000 acres of irrigated land, constructing 400 km of farm-to-market roads, and enhancing the value chain of apricots and potatoes, with scope for more products after a mid-term review.

The project “ Sindh Coastal Resilience Project (SCRP)”, worth Rs. 45,792.325 million, was presented and referred to ECNEC for further consideration.

A project titled “Economic Transformation Initiative, Gilgit-Baltistan Planning and Development Department, GoGB (Revised)”, worth Rs. 26,763.880 million, was also referred to ECNEC for further consideration.

The meeting approved the "Social Sector Accelerator (SSA) for Health, Nutrition, Education, Youth & Gender (HNEYG) - Prime Minister’s Youth Internship Programme (Revised)" worth Rs. 7499.804 million after detail discussion.

Executed by MoPDSI and financed through PSDP, the program offers 30,000 paid internships to fresh graduates for six months. Interns will receive stipends…

A project related to Governance sector presented in the meeting namely “Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Revenue Mobilization and Public Resource Management Program (Technical Assistance) (Revised)” worth Rs. 4713.606 million approved by the CDWP forum.

The meeting approved the "Jinnah Medical Complex and Research Center (PCU part)" project, worth Rs. 3110.4 million, under the Ministry of National Health Services Regulations & Coordination.

The Proposed programs to be financed through foreign funding, aims to improve incomes and reduce poverty and malnutrition in rural Gilgit-Baltistan.

The programme encompasses the entire Gilgit-Baltistan region.

Financed through foreign funding, the project aims to build climate resilience, improve livelihoods, and reduce poverty in Sindh’s coastal districts: Badin, Sujawal, and Thatta.

It focuses on promoting inclusive livelihoods through:
1. Climate-smart agriculture and fisheries to enhance productivity and integrate smallholder farmers and fisherfolk into value chains.

2. Improved assets and employment opportunities for disadvantaged groups, including youth, women, and the landless

3. Community participation to ensure sustainable outcomes.

This phase-2 project aligns with the 5Es Framework to provide specialized healthcare at national and international levels.

While discussing the Project Coordination Unit (PCU), DCPC Ahsan Iqbal emphasized the need for a dedicated Program Management Unit with technical and administrative expertise to ensure timely completion.

To this end, a Project Implementation Unit (PIU) will be established to oversee the project lifecycle, ensuring efficient planning, execution, and adherence to international standards.

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