ECNEC approves development projects worth Rs154.72bn across multiple sectors

February 08, 2024 (MLN): The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) considered and approved various development projects worth Rs154.715 billion in various sectors on Wednesday, according to a press release issued by the Finance Division on the same day.

The ECNEC was briefed about the summary from Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives regarding “Sehat Sahulat Program (3rd Revised)” with the submission to maintain the continuity of the said program until 30th June of this year with provision of assistance only to the population below the poverty line (less than 32.5PMT).

The forum gave approval with the directions to prepare all modalities regarding technical scope and design, financial plan, regulatory framework and other institutional arrangements for the upcoming government to decide on continuation of the project beyond June 2024.

The project of the Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives regarding “Establishment of Infectious Disease Laboratory (IDL)” with the total cost of Rs8.29bn was approved owing to advanced level 4 lab for handling pathogens, Research and Development for indigenous viruses and bacteria after COVID-19.

Another project of the Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives regarding “Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rural Roads Development Project (KP-RRD) - Asian Development Bank (ADB) Assisted” was placed for the consideration of the ECNEC at the total cost of Rs105.45bn.

The forum approved the project for improved rural accessibility, and connectivity and unlocking the economic and development opportunities for inhabitants of KP province.

The project of “Construction of Additional Carriageway of Torkham- Jalalabad Road Project (ACW TJRP) in Afghanistan (2nd Revised)” was presented by Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives in detail.

The ECNEC approved the project at the total cost of Rs17.141bn without FEC with the direction to complete the said project within this fiscal year.

The ECNEC was presented with the summary of “Criteria and Procedure for Incorporation of Price Adjustment Provision in the on-going contracts, August 2022(amended June 2023-modified January 2024)”.

The forum gave approval to the proposed recommendations of the summary.

The Revised PC-I for the Installation of Telemetry System for Real Time Discharge Monitoring at 27 Key Sites on Indus Basin Irrigation System “(IBIS) was placed before ECNEC by Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives at a total cost of Rs23.835bn and got approved.

Another Summary of Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives regarding “Peshawar Northern Bypass Project (PNBP)- 32.2 Km (3rd Revised)” was also approved by ECNEC with the direction to complete before ending of this fiscal year.

The summary from Economic Affairs Division regarding “Relending of Loans to Provincial Governments Obtained by the Federal Government for Polio Eradication Program” was approved owing to the fact that three provinces have already agreed to relent the loan obtained by the Federal Government.

Ministry of Health Services, Regulations and Coordination in consultation with respective finance and health departments will calculate the provincial share of loan for repayment.

The summary of the Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives regarding “Development of National Irrigation Network for Green Pakistan Initiative” was discussed in detail with the submission to Ministry of Water Resources and Provinces to allocate priority to strategic canals by National Water Policy.

Greater Thal Canal Project (Phase II) was also discussed, on which government of Sindh showed its concerns.

The ECNEC directed the government to present its views regarding the techno-economic viability of the Greater Thal Canal (Phase II) project to the Council of Common Interest.

The forum approved the Greater Thal Canal (Phase II) project subject to the approval of CCI.

The caretaker Federal Minister for Finance, Revenue & Economic Affairs Dr. Shamshad Akhtar chaired the meeting of the ECNEC with other government officials.

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