CDWP clears Rs79b projects

Ahsan Iqbal says Balochistan's uplift, Pakistan Post's automation key to govt's inclusive growth agenda

ISLAMABAD:

The Central Development Working Party (CDWP), chaired by Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, approved seven development projects worth Rs34.66 billion and recommended two major schemes of Rs44.62 billion to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for final approval.

In total, the CDWP cleared nine projects covering higher education, governance, health, physical planning, power, and information technology. The approvals reflect the government's drive to fast-track development initiatives nationwide, according to an official statement issued on Saturday.

Among the projects approved, the "Establishment of University of Turbat (Phase-II)" costing Rs1.93 billion was sanctioned. The project includes new academic blocks, hostels, residences, internal roads, drainage, electrification, IT networking, furniture, and laboratory equipment to transform the institution into a modern higher education facility.

While approving the scheme, Iqbal reiterated that Balochistan's economic and educational development remained a core priority of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government. He recalled that during previous tenures, several universities and sub-campuses had been established in remote areas of the province, along with financial support to BUITEMS and Sardar Bahadur Khan Women's University.

He noted that 5,000 scholarships had earlier been awarded to students from Balochistan and ex-FATA, and the programme's second phase now included overseas scholarships for legal education. The minister urged university leadership to focus on intellectual growth, civic values, and exposure for students through study tours to major cities. The CDWP also restored the previously reduced allocation for laboratory equipment, enhanced the library budget, and directed installation of solar energy systems. Members appreciated these measures.

Another major project approved was the revised "Automation of Pakistan Post" worth Rs6.64 billion, to be financed through the Export-Import Bank of Korea (KExim). The project will automate 2,761 post offices, introduce a Core Banking System, strengthen ICT infrastructure, and modernise remittances, insurance, and logistics services.

Officials briefed that the project, initially approved in 2017 at Rs2.2 billion, was delayed due to policy discontinuity, raising costs to Rs6.5 billion and causing Pakistan Post to lose around 65% of its market share to digital competitors. Approving the revival, the minister said automation was now "unavoidable," adding that it would enable Pakistan Post to regain its share in e-commerce and improve public service delivery.

Other projects approved included: Establishment of Daanish School at Chitral, K-P (Rs3.32 billion); Capacity Enhancement of Federal Entities (Rs5.43 billion); Stroke and Critical Care Facilities at PIMS (Rs7.22 billion); Punjab Intermediate Cities Improvement Programme (Rs4.83 billion); and Rehabilitation of Hydropower Stations (Rs5.27 billion).