ISLAMABAD: The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) approved as many as 24 development projects with a total estimated cost of Rs465.762 billion.
The CDWP approved 15 development projects at a cost of Rs34.740 billion, while nine major projects with a cumulative cost of Rs431.022 billion were granted in-principle approval and recommended to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for further consideration and final approval.
The CDWP met under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives and Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Ahsan Iqbal at P-Block Planning Ministry on Thursday. The meeting reviewed and considered a range of development initiatives aimed at strengthening key sectors of the national economy and accelerating the government’s reform agenda.
READ MORE: CDWP approves 12 projects
The meeting was attended by Secretary Planning Awais Manzur Sumra, Chief Economist, VC PIDE, Members of the Planning Commission, Federal Secretaries, heads of Provincial Planning & Development Board/Departments, and senior representatives from relevant federal ministries and provincial governments.
The agenda included projects from critical sectors including Fuel, Health, Information Technology, Higher Education, Physical Planning & Housing, Power, Science & Technology, and Transport & Communications. These projects are aligned with the government’s broader development vision and reform agenda under URAAN Pakistan, which focuses on strengthening human capital, modernising governance, improving infrastructure, and promoting sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
As many as 15 development projects related to various sectors, all four provinces, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJ&K) were accorded in-principle approval by the CDWP. The projects presented before the forum covered diverse sectors including mineral exploration, healthcare, digital infrastructure, security, energy, robotics, and road connectivity.
The projects approved by the forum include “Exploration of Radioactive Minerals, Marwat Range” worth Rs1,440 million, “Provision of CT Scan & MRI Machines in DHQ Hospitals & Teaching Hospitals of AJ&K” worth Rs5,483.290 million, “Establishment of Prime Minister’s E-Sports Arenas and Training Centers in HEIs – HEC” worth Rs3,166.587 million, “Geospatialx Complex (GEO-AI Development & Innovation Hub)” worth Rs4,004.010 million, “Upgradation of IT Infrastructure at Faculty of Security Studies (FSS), National Defense University, Islamabad” worth Rs998.993 million, “PAKAWAZ Secure Mobile Communication Ecosystem” worth Rs708.712 million, “Acquisition of Land & Construction of Office-Cum Residential Accommodations for IBD Staff at Swat” worth Rs301.213 million, “Construction of Accommodation of Headquarters FC Balochistan (West)” worth Rs2,019.325 million, “Construction of District Headquarter for Intelligence Bureau at Mithi District Tharparker” worth Rs112.130 million, “Capacity Enhancement of CAF-Management of Western Border by Construction of 120-Bedded Hospital for Frontier Corps (South) at Turbat (Ph-II)” worth Rs2,485.094 million, “Construction of Accommodation for 5 x Wing Headquarters at Khwaja Khel, Bagh Maidan, Shin Qamar, Khyber Tribal District and Had Ambar/Khapakh Mohmand Tribal District and 20 x Border Out Posts Frontier Corps KP North” worth Rs3,813.130 million, “Supply of Three-Phase AMI Meters Under Power Distribution Strengthening Project-II (LESCO)” worth Rs6,255.700 million, “Establishment of Robotics Centre of Excellence” worth Rs500 million, “Construction of Road from Essa Morr to Siddiquepura (Phase-I & II) (Revised)” worth Rs2,033.799 million, and “Construction of Road from Essa Morr to Siddiquepura and Chaal to Dholan Morr via Nonar Musalmanian Kila Ahmed Abad (21 Km) (Revised)” worth Rs1,417.784 million.
The CDWP accorded in-principle approval to nine development projects across different sectors with a cumulative estimated cost of Rs431.022 billion and recommended them to the ECNEC for further consideration and final approval.
Chairing the meeting, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Ahsan Iqbal emphasised that the approved projects are aligned with the vision of URAAN Pakistan, focusing on digital transformation, modern infrastructure, connectivity, and sustainable economic growth.
Three projects related to the Information Technology sector were presented before the CDWP. The project titled “Establishment of Emerging Technologies Data Centre” worth Rs7.93 billion was accorded in-principle approval and recommended to ECNEC for further consideration.
The project aims to establish a national Emerging Technologies Data Centre to provide secure, sovereign, and government-owned Artificial Intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing infrastructure for Pakistan.
The facility will support artificial intelligence, cloud computing, big data analytics, and digital services for government institutions, academia, research organisations, and the private sector.
The project will strengthen data security and digital sovereignty, reduce reliance on foreign cloud providers, support indigenous AI solutions, and promote innovation, capacity building, and growth of the digital economy.
Another Information Technology sector project, “National Artificial Intelligence Ecosystem Development Program (NAIEDP)” worth Rs13 billion, was accorded in-principle approval and recommended to ECNEC for further consideration.
The project includes a comprehensive feasibility study through a specialised consultancy firm to assess the AI ecosystem, stakeholder landscape, technical and infrastructure requirements, financial and market viability, legal and governance frameworks, and risk mitigation measures.
The study will lead to the development of an upgraded and implementation-ready PC-I to support informed decision-making and successful execution of the project.
The third IT sector project presented was “Pakistan Communication Satellite – 2 (PakSat-2)” worth Rs37.192 billion, which was accorded in-principle approval and recommended to ECNEC for further consideration.
The project includes the development and deployment of a communication satellite in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) along with upgrading existing Ground Control and Operations Centres in Lahore and Karachi.
The project will enhance satellite command, control, tracking, and operational capabilities by utilising SUPARCO’s existing technical expertise and infrastructure.
A project related to the Physical Planning & Housing sector, “Acquisition of Land and Hiring of Consultancy Firms for Feasibility Study for Establishment of Special Protection Unit (SPU) in ICT Police Islamabad” worth Rs9.413 billion, was accorded in-principle approval and recommended to ECNEC for further consideration. The project includes acquisition of 26.76-kanal (16,189.80-square-yard) land and hiring of consultancy firms for a feasibility study and detailed engineering design for establishment of the SPU in Sector H-11, Islamabad.
A Power sector project presented by the Government of AJK, namely “Strengthening & Improvement of Electricity Supply Network in AJ&K”, at an estimated cost of Rs10 billion, was also accorded in-principle approval by the forum and recommended to ECNEC for further consideration.
The proposed project focuses on reconductoring, load bifurcation, and upgradation of overloaded 11 kV feeders to improve voltage profile, system reliability, and reduce power outages. It also includes installation of new distribution transformers, augmentation of existing transformers, and establishment of repair workshops to enhance operational efficiency and timely restoration of power supply.
Four projects related to the Transport and Communications sector were presented and accorded in-principle approval and recommended to ECNEC. These included “Construction of Lalamusa Bypass (N-5)” worth Rs20.354 billion and “Up-gradation of Track and Allied Infrastructure on ML-3; Rohri–Sibi–Quetta–Koh-e-Taftan Section (996 Kms)” worth Rs278.619 billion. The ML-3 project is proposed to be financed through PSDP, with interim funding to be provided through bridge financing by Reko Diq Mining Company (RDMC) and the Government of Pakistan.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026