ECNEC approves Rs461bn worth of projects in various sectors

July 20, 2023 (MLN): Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) considered and approved projects worth Rs461.12 billion in various sectors, as revealed in the ECNEC meeting yesterday chaired by Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar.

According to the press release issued, the ECNEC considered and approved a Project of the Ministry of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives titled “Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme” to be executed by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) in Islamabad at a rationalized cost of R16.8bn including FEC of Rs15.17bn.

The project is to be financed by the Federal Government. The project is to be completed within two years i.e. 2023-2025.

The ECNEC also considered and approved a project of the Aviation Division titled “Modernization of Hydromet Services of PMD in Pakistan (MHSP)” at a cost of Rs14.5bn to be executed in the whole country by Pakistan Meteorological Department. World Bank finances the project as a component of the “Post-flood 2022 Reconstruction Program”.

A project of the Ministry of Water Resources titled “Water Requirement for K-IV Project Improvement of Kalri Baghar Feeder & Keenjhar Lake – Plain Cement Concrete (PCC) Lining of Karli Baghar Feeder Upper-Phase-I Project ” to be executed in District Jamshoro & Thatta of Sindh Province was also considered and approved.

The cost of the project is estimated to be Rs39.94bn and it is to be financed at a 50:50 sharing basis by the Federal and the Provincial Government (Govt. of Sindh). The project is to be executed by the Irrigation Department of the Government of Sindh.

ECNEC considered and approved a project of Govt of Punjab titled “Lahore Ring Road-Southern Loop (SL-3) Construction of Road from Raiwind Road upto Multan Road” at the total cost of Rs17.79bn without FEC.

The project is to be executed in the District Lahore of Punjab Province by the C&W Dept Govt. of Punjab and is to be entirely financed by the Government of Punjab ADP.

The ECNEC also considered and approved a summary of the Ministry of National Food Security & Research regarding the project titled “Prime Minister’s National Programme for Solarization Agriculture Tube Wells Punjab, Sindh, KPK, and Balochistan” and allowed the inclusion of existing pumping systems on small dams, ponds, and river/stream/nullah ponds, serving the same purpose as tube-wells.

A project of the Ministry of Communications was also considered and approved by the ECNEC  titled “Construction of Khawazakhela – Besham Expressway (48Km)” at a cost of Rs79.13bn without FEC.

The project is to be executed by National Highway Authority in the Districts of Shangla and Swat of KPK Province. The project is to be financed entirely through Federal PSDP.

Another project of the Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training titled “Pakistan Education Fund” was considered and approved in principle at a cost of Rs14bn to be executed all over Pakistan by Higher Education Commission, NEST, and M/o FE&PT. The project is to be financed by Federal PSDP 2023-24, to provide scholarships.

Lastly, another project of the Ministry of Communications titled “Lahore-Sahiwal-Bahwalnagar Motorway (295 Kms) Phase –I” was also considered and approved at a cost of Rs263.8bn to be executed in Districts Bahawalpur, Kasur, Lahore, Okara, Pakpattan, Sahiwal of Punjab Province. The project is to be financed by Federal PSDP.

Federal Minister for Commerce Syed Naveed Qamar, Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives Mr. Ahsan Iqbal, SAPM on Finance Mr. Tariq Bajwa, SAPM on Revenue Mr. Tariq Mehmood Pasha, Federal Secretaries and other senior officers from Federal Ministries and Provincial departments participated in the meeting.

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