ISLAMABAD, (MILLAT+APP): The Central Development Working Party (CDWP)
Friday approved 14 projects worth Rs 139.4 billion including Rs 108 billion for three significant projects related to the areas situated around China- Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to enhance mobility and ensure socio- economic development.
The CDWP meeting was chaired by Federal Minister for Planning,
Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal. Senior officers of the provincial governments and ministries concerned attended the meeting.
The CDWP also gave approval to five project costing Rs 131 billion,
which were referred to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for final approval.
In addition, the CDWP also approved one position paper and gave
concept clearance of one project.
According to details, the CDWP referred rehabilitation of NHA highway
KKH (N-35) between Thakot-Raikot of worth Rs 8.5 billion to ECNEC.
The project envisages rehabilitation of 136.4 km remaining portion of
existing KKH between Thahkot and Raikot which was damaged due to monsoon rains and flash floods 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 rationalize the cost and review the design of the project.
Another significant project as part of western rout of CPEC which was
referred to ECNEC is dualization and improvement of existing N-50 from Yarak-Sagu-Zhob including Zhob by pass of worth Rs 80.8 billion.
The project envisages construction of 210 km, 4 lane highway starting
from Yarik 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
Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces.
The CDWP also recommended construction of 2 lane highway from Basima
to Khuzdar with 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 for the development of deprived population of the province.
In transport and communication sector CDWP also approved development
and construction of port allied structures in Mullah Band Area Gwadar of worth Rs 2650 million.
Moreover in energy sector, CDWP approved and referred enhancement in
transformation capacity of NTDC system by extension and augmentation of existing grid stations of worth Rs 16.5 billion with FEC Rs 12 billion and conversion of existing 220 KV substation at Bund road, Kala Shah Kaku, Ravi and Nishatabad to GIS technology of worth Rs 5.7 billion with FEC 3.1 billion to ECNEC.
In physical planning and housing sector, 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 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 Prime Minister Education Sector Reforms Program in ICT, Islamabad with worth Rs 2.9 billion.
In information technology sector, CDWP approved umbrella PC-1 for
private cloud center FBR and strengthening FBR’s capacity in fiscal research and tax policy analysis of worth Rs 512 million.
Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal suggested to develop a mobile application
to enable online registration and filing of tax returns.
He further recommended FBR to collaborate with PIDE to enhance
research capability and capacity building.
In science and technology sector, 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 area 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 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 14 billion.