CDWP approves 18 new projects worth Rs54.5b

Planning Commission deputy chairman wants improvement in planning, execution of schemes

ISLAMABAD: The government on Monday cleared about 18 new development projects costing Rs54.5 billion as the deputy chairman of the Planning Commission sought an improvement in the planning and execution of development schemes.

Headed by Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Sartaj Aziz, the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) also deferred approval for a few schemes worth Rs15.7 billion as there were flaws at the planning stage.



The CDWP has the mandate to approve up to Rs3 billion worth of projects and recommends those that have higher costs to the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) for final approval.



Like other economic committees, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has also reconstituted Ecnec, taking back its chairmanship from Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.

The CDWP approved a Rs836-million project for extensive exploration of uranium reserves in the Bannu Basin and Kohat Pleat. The Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission will execute the project.

Costing Rs423.5 million, a national tokamak fusion programme was also approved by the CDWP.



In the transport and communications sector, the CDWP cleared six schemes. These included infrastructure upgrade for the Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works at a cost of Rs5.9 billion, three schemes for rehabilitating the existing N-35 project at a cost of Rs12 billion and track renewal for the Pakistan Railways, costing Rs1.7 billion.

The CDWP also cleared Rs19.5 billion worth of project of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government for rehabilitating provincial roads.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 22^nd, 2017.

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