The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) has approved three significant projects to the tune of Rs 108 billion related to the areas situated around China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) alignment to enhance mobility and ensure socio-economic development. However, the CDWP approved overall 14 development projects valuing Rs 139.5 billion, including five project costing Rs 131 billion, which were referred to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC).
In addition, it approved one position paper and gave concept clearance of one project. The meeting was chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal, and was attended by senior officers of the provincial governments and ministries concerned.
The CDWP referred a significant project as part of western route of CPEC to ECNEC for dualization and improvement of existing N-50 from Yarak-Sagu-Zhob, including Zhob bypass costing Rs 80.8billion. The project envisages construction of 210 kilometres 4-lane highway starting from Yarak on N-55 to Zhob on N-50 via Sagu, Daraban, Mughal Kot and Manikhuwa. The project will help the development of the backward areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhawa and Balochistan provinces.
The CDWP also recommended construction of two-lane highway from Basima to Khuzdar at a projected cost of Rs 19.7 billion to ECNEC. The project aims to enhance the mobility of the underdeveloped area of district Khuzdar, Balochistan province, and will play a vital role in the development of deprived population of the province. About transport and communication sector, the CDWP also approved development and construction of port allied structures in Mullah Band area of Gwadar costing Rs 2,650 million.
The CDWP referred rehabilitation of NHA highway KKH (N-35) between Thakot-Raikot valuing Rs 8.5 billion to the ECNEC. The project envisages rehabilitation of 136.4 kilometres remaining portion of existing KKH between Thahkot and Raikot, which had damaged due to monsoon rains and flashfloods during 2010. Under this project, breast walls and retaining walls will be constructed along with construction of causeway as well as culverts. While giving his observation on the project, Ahsan Iqbal directed authorities to rationalise the cost and review the design of the project.
About energy projects, the CDWP approved and referred enhancement in transformation capacity of the NTDC system by extension and augmentation of existing grid stations costing Rs 16.5 billion with foreign exchange component (FEC) Rs 12 billion and conversion of existing 220KV substation at Bund Road, Kala Shah Kaku, Ravi and Nishatabad to GIS technology at estimated cost of Rs 5.7 billion with FEC Rs 3.1 billion to ECNEC.
In physical planning and housing sector, the CDWP approved wash projects in southern districts of KP under RAHA through Pakistan Italian Debt Swap Agreement (PIDSA) of worth Rs 150 million, construction of Intelligence Bureau (IB) office along with the CPEC of worth Rs 482 million and construction of conference rooms and offices at Prime Minister's House, Islamabad, costing Rs 298 million.
The CDWP approved renovation and rehabilitation of physical infrastructure of 200 educational institutions under the Prime Minister Education Sector Reforms Programme in ICT, Islamabad, at cost of Rs 2.9 billion. About information technology sector, the CDWP approved umbrella PC-1 for private cloud centre FBR and strengthening FBR's capacity in fiscal research and tax policy analysis of worth Rs 512 million. Ahsan Iqbal suggested developing a mobile application to enable online registration and filing of tax returns. He further recommended that the FBR should collaborate with the PIDE to enhance research capability and capacity building.
In science and technology sector, the CDWP approved acquisition of land for establishment of King Hamad University of Nursing and Allied Sciences in Islamabad by government of Kingdom of Bahrain with Rs 313 million. The CDWP approved feasibility study for sustainable development of Mini dam command areas in the Potohar region of worth Rs 39 million. It also approved bridging the job market skill gap for general postgraduate degree holder of Rs 393 million. In addition, the CDWP approved position paper of development scheme in district Shangla of worth Rs 300 million and gave concept clearance of strengthening of early warning system of Pakistan Met Department of worth Rs 19 billion with FEC Rs 14 billion.