Ecnec approves nationwide development priorities under DPM Dar’s chairmanship

Projects include K-P irrigation, Islamabad Jinnah Hospital, Sindh flood rehabilitation, Diamer Basha Dam, ML-1 design

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday chaired a meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec), where development priorities across all provinces and regions were approved with a focus on infrastructure, social services, and long-term economic stability.

According to a post on X from the deputy premier's office, the meeting “approved development priorities across all provinces and regions”, aiming to strengthen national development initiatives and address key infrastructure and social sector needs.

DPM Dar reaffirmed the government’s focus on “infrastructure development, improved public services, regional balance and long-term economic resilience”.

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 chaired a meeting of the National Economic Council (ECNEC).

Development priorities were approved across all provinces and regions, with a focus on strengthening national development initiatives and addressing… pic.twitter.com/ZzBvzrjRkh

— Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (@DPM_PK) May 22, 2026

The meeting's members approved key initiatives, including the detailed design of ML-1, Havelian Dry Port, Lowari Tunnel access works, Thar Coal Rail Connectivity, Kachhi Canal, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa irrigation improvements, Islamabad Jinnah Hospital, the Sindh Human Capital 1000 Days Programme, Sindh flood rehabilitation support and arrangements related to Diamer Basha Dam.

The approved agenda also covered a broad range of provincial and regional development interventions aimed at improving connectivity, water management, health services, and post-flood rehabilitation efforts.

The meeting was attended by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Bajwa, Punjab Planning Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Sindh Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro and senior officials from relevant ministries.

Read: PM hands budget-making to Dar

Ecnec was constituted on June 7, 2024, and consists of a total of eight members: four from the centre and one each from four provinces. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was the chairman of the committee and later made Dar the alternate chairman of the committee.

Ecnec has the mandate to approve mega development projects of Rs7.5 billion and above.