Central Development Working Party approves five development projects worth Rs55.164 billion
The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) approved five development projects worth Rs 55.164 billion for sustainable economic development in the country.
The CDWP’s meeting was chaired by the Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives and Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Ahsan Iqbal and attended by Awais Manzur Sumra, Secretary Planning, along with Chief Economist, VC PIDE, other members of the Planning Commission, Federal Secretaries, heads of Provincial Planning and Development (P&D) boards/ departments, and senior representatives from relevant Federal Ministries and Provincial Governments.
Another project related to the Food and Agriculture sector presented in the meeting, namely “Balochistan Livelihoods and Entrepreneurship Project”, was recommended to ECNEC at a revised cost of Rs. 12461.661 million. The project will be financed by the World Bank and the International Development Association (IDA).
The main objective of the project is to promote employment opportunities for rural communities and ensure the sustainability of enterprises in eight districts of Balochistan, including Chagai, Killa Abdullah, Killa Saifullah, Mastung, Nushki, Pishin, Sherani, and Zhob. The project aims to benefit rural households by supporting livelihoods through enterprise development and job creation.
A project related to the health sector presented in the meeting, namely “Expansion of Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology and National Institute of Heart Diseases (AFIC-NIHD), Rawalpindi” at an estimated cost of Rs. 25457.912 million and in-principle recommended to ECNEC with concerns and funding confirmation.
The upgradation and expansion of the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology and National Institute of Heart Diseases (AFIC-NIHD) aims to significantly enhance the hospital’s capacity and quality of care to meet growing cardiac healthcare demands over the next two decades.
The Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal accorded in-principal approval and formed a committee to rationalise cost and directed the sponsors to explore alternative financing options for the project in view of the tight resource position for PSDP funding.
Another project of the Physical Planning & Housing sector presented namely “Construction of New Balochistan Assembly at Quetta”, worth Rs. 9519 million was approved by the project and recommended to ECNEC for further consideration.
The main objective of the project is to construct a new Assembly Building in Quetta to replace the existing structure, which can no longer accommodate the full strength of assembly members. The proposed facility, spanning a covered area of 250,000 square feet across a double basement, ground, first, and second floors, will feature a modern Main Assembly Hall with increased seating capacity, dedicated chambers for the Chief Minister, Speaker, and Deputy Speaker, ministerial offices, administrative areas with a conference hall, and comprehensive parking and allied infrastructure. This project will be designed and executed under the supervision of the PP&H department to ensure the evolving needs of Balochistan’s legislative operations.
While reviewing the project, the planning minister also constituted a committee to rationalise its cost scope before submission to the ECNEC for final approval and directed that top-quality consulting firms should be engaged for designing and supervision work.
The new Balochistan assembly building will be a gift of the Federal Government for the people of Balochistan. PM Shahbaz Sharif gave approval for the funding of the project.
The planning minister formed a committee to oversee and confirm scope and cost along with the design and construction of the project.