Islamabad: The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) has given the nod to nine major development projects in an effort to accelerate international financial support from both multilateral and bilateral lenders, as reported on November 4.
During a session chaired by Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Dr Jehanzeb Khan, it was brought to notice that the projects were worth a total of a staggering PKR 224 billion. These projects span various sectors crucial to national development, including food and agriculture, education, energy, physical planning and housing, science and technology, social welfare, transport and communication, and water resources.
The CDWP approved five smaller projects amounting to PKR 10.02 billion. Additionally, the committee recommended four larger initiatives totalling PKR 213.86 billion to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for further evaluation.
The following are the details of the approved projects:
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Food Security Support Project valued at PKR 24.64 billion (USD 88 million), aimed at assisting farmers affected by the 2022 floods. The Asian Development Bank (USD 83 million) and Japan (USD 5 million) fully fund this project, relieving the provincial government of any financial burden.
Sindh School Rehabilitation Project with a budget of PKR 83.19 billion (USD 300 million). This project, covering 17 districts, aims to rebuild and upgrade schools impacted by natural disasters.
Women Inclusive Finance Development Programme supported by the Asian Development Bank with over USD 100 million in lending. Estimated to cost PKR 31.41 billion, this initiative aims to foster economic growth by empowering women entrepreneurs.
A significant water sector project for Sindh, amounting to PKR 74.62 billion, received approval. This project focuses on enhancing the region’s barrages, a crucial step in improving water management and agriculture.
Moreover, the CDWP approved five development schemes. Notable among them is the Rehabilitation of Schools in Balochistan Affected by Flooding project, costing PKR 1.4 billion. This initiative aims to restore schools severely impacted by floods in multiple districts, underscoring the importance of education in disaster-stricken regions.
Furthermore, the first phase of the Permanent Settlement of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) Refugees 1989 Onwards, a PKR 3.1 billion initiative, was given the green light. This phase specifically targets the construction of 750 houses for families displaced from India-held Kashmir in Azad Kashmir.
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