ISLAMABAD: The Central Development Working Party (CDWP), chaired by Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, approved and recommended a total of 10 development projects worth Rs1.96 trillion, during its recent meeting at the Planning Ministry.
Of the total, four projects valued at Rs14.312 billion were granted direct approval by the CDWP, while six major projects worth Rs1.82 trillion were recommended for final consideration to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC).
The meeting was attended by Secretary Planning Awais Manzur Sumra, members of the Planning Commission, federal and provincial secretaries, and representatives from key ministries and provincial planning departments.
Projects across sectors including education, higher education, IT, housing, power, water resources, and transport and communications were discussed.
Dasu Hydropower Project Revision
In the power sector, the revised Dasu Hydropower Project (Stage-I) — now valued at Rs1.74 trillion — was referred to ECNEC.
The revision reflects a staggering increase from the originally approved cost of Rs479 billion, prompting serious concern from the Planning Minister, who directed third-party validation of the revised cost estimates.
Minister Iqbal stressed the strategic importance of the project for Pakistan’s energy and water security and attributed the cost escalation to delays and mismanagement during the previous administration.
He criticised the lack of an independent Project Director and a professional CFO, calling it a violation of ECNEC’s directives and a case of gross negligence on the part of WAPDA.
The minister also raised objections to WAPDA’s decision to award the 66 km KKH road section in foreign currency without a satisfactory justification.
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Furthermore, the unauthorized design changes and expenditures without CDWP or ECNEC approval were flagged for immediate clarification.
Other Major Projects Sent to ECNEC
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Sindh Flood Emergency Rehabilitation Project (Phase-II)
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Cost: Rs12.261 billion
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Funding: $40 million (World Bank), $4 million (Government of Sindh)
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Scope: Rebuilding 145.94 km of roads, rescue stations, and improving disaster response infrastructure across four flood-affected districts.
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Balochistan Water Security & Productivity Improvement Project (BWS&PIP)
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Component 1: Improvement of Quetta Water Supply System
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Cost: Rs9.835 billion (World Bank funded)
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Objective: Enhance urban water supply for around three million residents of Quetta.
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Component 2: Flood Management of Kachhi Plains
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Cost: Rs17.175 billion (IDA credit)
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Objective: Improve flood control, irrigation infrastructure, and water availability in Balochistan’s agricultural regions.
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Getting Results: Access and Delivery of Quality Education Services in Balochistan
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Cost: Rs28 billion
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Funding: $100 million (World Bank)
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Focus: Improving educational access and quality, climate resilience, and emergency preparedness in the education sector of Balochistan.
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Approved Projects
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Quaid-i-Azam University Sub-Campus at Sharaqpur, Sheikhupura
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Cost: Rs3.89 billion
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Status: Approved conditionally, pending land provision by the Punjab Government and university syndicate approval.
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Other smaller-scale projects across IT, housing, and training sectors were also deliberated.
Minister Iqbal concluded the meeting by urging all implementing agencies to ensure timely and transparent execution of approved projects, with strict accountability mechanisms to avoid further cost overruns and delays.
