ISLAMABAD: The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) has approved 14 projects worth Rs139.5 billion in communication and transport, highways, physical planning, energy, information technology and education sectors.
In the information technology sector, CDWP approved umbrella PC-1 for a private cloud centre at the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and strengthening FBR’s capacity in fiscal research and tax policy analysis at a cost of Rs512m.
The CDWP meeting was chaired by Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Ahsan Iqbal.
Iqbal suggested developing a mobile application to enable online registration and filing of tax returns. He further recommended that the FBR should collaborate with Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) to enhance research capability and capacity building.
Among the approved projects, three significant schemes worth Rs108 billion are related to the areas around the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) alignment to enhance mobility and socio-economic development.
In addition, CDWP referred five projects costing Rs131 billion to the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) for approval. Additionally, it also approved one position paper and gave concept clearance for a project.
CDWP referred the rehabilitation of NHA KKH (N-35) Thakot- Raikot worth Rs8.5 billion to Ecnec. The project envisages the rehabilitation of 136.4km remaining portion of the existing KKH between Thahkot and Raikot, which was damaged by monsoon rains and flash floods of 2010.
Mr Iqbal directed the authorities concerned to rationalise the cost and review the design of the project.
Another significant project that is part of the western rout of CPEC and has been referred to Ecnec is to dual and improve the existing N-50 at Rs80.8 billion.
The project envisages the construction of 210km four-lane highway starting from Yarik on N-55 to Zhob on N-50 via Sagu, Daraban, Mughal Kot and Manikhuwa. It will help develop the backward areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
CDWP recommended the construction of two-lane highway from Basima to Khuzdar at a cost of Rs19.7 billion to Ecnec. The project aims to enhance the mobility of the under-developed area of Khuzdar.
In the transport and communication sector, CDWP approved the construction of port allied structures in the Mullah Band area of Gwadar at Rs2.65 billion.
In the energy sector, CDWP approved the enhancement in the capacity of the National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) by extending and augmenting existing grid stations at Rs16.5 billion with the foreign exchange component of Rs12 billion and the conversion of the existing 220kV sub-station at Bund Road, Kala Shah Kaku, Ravi and Nishatabad to GIS technology at Rs5.7 billion with the foreign exchange component of Rs3.1 billion.
In the physical planning and housing sector, CDWP approved Wash projects in southern districts of KP through the Pakistan-Italian Debt Swap Agreement (PIDSA) worth Rs150m, construction of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) office along with CPEC at Rs482m and the construction of conference rooms and offices at Prime Minister’s House costing Rs298m.
CDWP also approved the renovation and rehabilitation of physical infrastructure of 200 educational institutions under the Prime Minister Education Sector Reforms Programme in Islamabad at Rs2.9 billion.
In the science and technology sector, CDWP approved the acquisition of land for the establishment of King Hamad University of Nursing and Allied Sciences in Islamabad by the government of Bahrain at a cost of Rs313m.
CDWP approved the feasibility study for the sustainable development of the Mini dam command area in the Potohar region worth Rs39m. It also approved a project for bridging the job market skill gap for the general postgraduate degree holders at Rs393m.
In addition, CDWP approved a position paper on the development scheme in Shangla worth Rs300m and gave concept clearance for strengthening of an early warning system for the Pakistan Meteorological Department worth Rs19 billion with the foreign exchange component of Rs14 billion.
