CDWP approves 7 development projects worth Rs71.84bn

October 27, 2023 (MLN): The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) approved and recommended seven development projects worth Rs71.84 billion on Friday, as stated in a press release issued today.

A meeting was held under the Chairmanship of the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Dr. Jahanzeb Khan, in which he approved five development projects, with a total cost of Rs11.7bn.

In addition to the above-mentioned projects, two projects with a total cost of Rs60bn were recommended to ECNEC.

The forum has approved/ recommended the following projects;

• Strengthening Technical Capacities of the Ministry of Climate Change & Environmental Coordination worth Rs316.71 million.
• Establishment of Directorate General of Religious Education (4th Revised) worth Rs1.253bn.
• Refugees & Host Communities Regional Sub Windows SH Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Human Capital Investment Project (KP-HCIP) Education Component worth Rs33.048bn.
• Installation of Wide Area Monitoring System (WAMS) for NTDC Power Network (Pilot project) worth Rs 1.35bn.
• Infrastructure Rehabilitation Resilience Enhancement post-Flood 2022 (Rehabilitation/Reconstruction of Health Facilities Damaged by Flood 2022 worth Rs1.6bn
• Peshawar Northern Bypass 32.2 Km (PC-I 3rd Revised) Rs27.052bn.
• A position paper with a total cost of Rs7.224bn was also cleared in principle by the respected forum.

The project titled “Strengthening Technical Capacities of Ministry of Climate Change & Environmental Coordination" with a budget of Rs316.71m, is aimed at aligning Pakistan's climate change agenda with its national development priorities and strengthening coordination at all levels.

PC-1 seeks to strengthen the technical capabilities of both the Ministry of Climate Change (MoCC) and the Environmental Coordination (EC) to ensure an efficient response to Pakistan's climate change challenges.

Additionally, the project is planned for inclusion in the Pakistan Hydromet and Climate Services Project (PHCSP) portfolio, funded by the World Bank through the National Disaster Risk Management Fund (NDRMF), which has already issued a No Objection Certificate (NOC).

The CDWP has granted approval to the project, "Establishment of the Directorate General of Religious Education (4th Revised)," with a budget of Rs1.253bn.

Under this initiative, all religious educational institutions (Deeni Madaris) will be required to register with the Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training (M/o FE&PT).

The Ministry will serve as the exclusive authority in Pakistan for collecting data and pertinent information regarding these institutions.

To facilitate this process, 16 regional offices (with the possibility of expansion as needed) will be established.

Deeni Madaris which does not comply with the registration requirements stipulated by the M/o FE&PT will not be permitted to operate.

Additionally, institutions that breach the terms and conditions of their registration will be subject to the cancellation of their registration status.

The Ministry will also assist registered Deeni Madaris in the process of opening bank accounts.

Furthermore, registered Deeni Madaris will be supported in seeking affiliation with the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, as well as the Board of Technical Education, enabling their students to participate in standardized examinations for secondary and higher secondary education, as well as technical and vocational subjects.

The "Refugees & Host Communities Regional Sub Windows SH Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Human Capital Investment Project (KP-HCIP) Education Component," with a budget of Rs 33.048bn, has been put forward for approval by ECNEC.

This project is funded through foreign financing and places a distinct emphasis on enhancing access to primary and secondary education for all children, with a particular focus on the education of girls.

As part of this initiative, primary schools in selected districts will transform into middle schools and middle schools will be further upgraded into high schools.

The "Installation of Wide Area Monitoring System (WAMS) for the NTDC Power Network (Pilot project)," valued at Rs 1.35bn, has received approval from the CDWP.

This project is proposed to be funded through a World Bank loan and will be implemented in the districts of Jamshoro, Kashmore, Matiari, and Tharparkar.

CDWP has recommended the project, "Peshawar Northern Bypass, spanning 32.2 kilometers (3rd Revised PC-I) with a budget of Rs27.052bn, to ECNEC.

The financing for this project is proposed through the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP). The third revision of this project entails the construction of a 4-lane, 32.20-kilometer bypass with accompanying service roads on the northern side of Peshawar city.

The project also includes the provision of lined drains between the bypass and the service roads on both sides. All earthen tracks will be connected to the service roads, while asphalt roads will link directly to the bypass without median openings.

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