ISLAMABAD - The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) Friday approved 10 development projects worth Rs143 billion.
The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) meeting chaired by the Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives and Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Ahsan Iqbal, approved five projects with a cumulative cost of Rs15.9 billion while referred five other projects, amounting to approximately Rs127.1 billion to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for final consideration and approval.
Emphasising the need for strategic planning, Ahsan directed that only those projects be included in the PSDP which enhance institutional performance and contribute meaningfully to national development. He also underscored the importance of aligning PSDP portfolio with URAAN Pakistan priorities, ensuring continuity in projects, and exploring new initiatives. He directed planning ministry to develop mechanism for notifying construction rates for highway and buildings projects in light of accurate cost of construction. He directed the sponsoring departments to conduct thorough scrutiny of projects to prevent inflated costs. He directed HEC and Government of Punjab to coordinate on laptop procurement in order to consolidate the demand for next four years and invite leading laptop manufacturers to setup plant in Pakistan.
A project related to Education and Training sector namely “Construction of Academic Blocks of National University of Pakistan, Islamabad” worth Rs1,597.428 million has been approved by CDWP.
A project related to Environment sector namely “Formulation of National Urban Strategy and Guidelines to Reduce the Impact Of Urban Flooding, Droughts, Climate Disasters and National Guidelines for Spatial Planning Considering Climate Change/Disaster risk in Pakistan” worth Rs106.401 million fully funded by UN Habitat approved by the CDWP.
A project related to Governance namely “Investment Projects Financing (IPF) Component of Pakistan Raises Revenue Project (Revised)” worth Rs40,758.086 million referred to ECNEC for further consideration.
The project will be financed through foreign funding World Bank loan. The revised project focuses on modernizing FBR’s infrastructure through the replacement of outdated hardware, deployment of a private cloud, updated software licensing, and enhanced connectivity for field formations. It includes the rollout of a Single Sales Tax Return system, development of Data Warehousing and BI tools, and digital transformation of value chains. Key components also cover vehicle tracking, e-way billing, mobile tax facilitation, and the establishment of Digital Enforcement Stations and a Remote Image Analysis Centre. The project supports faceless assessments, border technology upgrades, and capacity building through trainings, expert panels, and IT enhancements, alongwith business process automation and risk management frameworks.
Two projects related to Higher Education namely “CM Punjab Laptop Programme (Revised)” worth Rs27,000 million referred to ECNEC for further consideration. This is a non-PSDP funded project. The project ADP funded by Government of Punjab and will be completed on 30.10.2025. The project aims to distribute laptops to approximately 112,000 students currently enrolled in public sector educational institutions across Punjab with the final number subject to revised allocations.
Another project in the Higher Education sector, titled “IT Industrial Innovation, Research Centre and Strengthening of Islamia College University, Peshawar (Revised)” worth Rs2,454.531 million, has been approved by the CDWP.
A project related to Information Technology sector namely “Revamping IT Industry Landscape (New)” worth Rs7,426.887 has been approved by the forum. The project aims to train and upskill 20,950 professionals in leadership, technical, and business management fields to strengthen the IT workforce.
A project related to Physical Planning and Housing namely “Construction/Reconstruction of Existing Schools in Sindh affected under Rain/Flood 2022 (Revised)” worth Rs12,337.138 million referred to ECNEC for further consideration. The project is sponsored and executed by the Government of Sindh.
A project related to Special Areas (AJK & GB), titled “Establishment of Mirwaiz Molvi Muhammad Farooq Shaheed Medical College Muzaffarabad AJK and Kashmir Medical College Muzaffarabad (Revised)” worth Rs4,337.733 million, has been approved by the forum. Two projects related to Transport and Communications namely “Extension/Construction of Sindh Coastal Highway Phase II (36-km) (Revised)” worth Rs37,718 million referred to ECNEC for further consideration.
Another project of Transport and Communications sector namely “Dualisation of Tando Allahyar – Tando Adam Road (31.40-km) (Revised)” worth Rs9,284.584 million referred to ECNEC for further consideration.