Islamabad: The Central Development Working Party (CDWP), chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives and Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Professor Ahsan Iqbal, on Friday approved seven development projects worth Rs1.04 billion. The forum also referred three major infrastructure projects, cumulatively valued at around Rs96 billion, to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for final approval.
According to a press release, four projects amounting to Rs8 billion received approval at the CDWP level. These included two key initiatives in the industries and commerce sector: the “1000 Industrial Stitching Units (Phase-II)” worth Rs1.95 billion and the “Acquisition of Land for Establishment of SME Facilitation Centers at Various Locations” valued at Rs1.25 billion.
The forum also approved two pioneering Information Technology projects — the “Development of Pakistan Lunar Exploration Rover (PLExR) for Chang’E-8 Mission” at a cost of Rs2.53 billion, and the “Pakistan Manned Space Mission” valued at Rs2.24 billion — signaling Pakistan’s intent to further its footprint in the global space arena.
Meanwhile, the CDWP referred three large-scale transport and communication sector projects to ECNEC for consideration. These included:
Improvement of Road from Sanghar to National Highway N-5 via Mundh Jamrao and Saleput (221 km) — revised cost: Rs36.91 billion
Construction of Additional Carriageway along Mehran Highway from Nawabshah to Ranipur (135 km) — revised cost: Rs41.03 billion
Improvement of Road from Rohri to Guddu Barrage @ M-5 Interchange Sadiqabad via Khanpur Mahar, Mirpur Mathelo & Mureed Shakh (150 km) — revised cost: Rs17.97 billion
During the meeting, Ahsan Iqbal directed the Planning Commission’s Member Infrastructure to review and update federal and provincial construction schedule rates in line with current market trends, emphasizing cost-efficiency and fiscal responsibility in public sector infrastructure development. The session was attended by Planning Secretary Awais Manzur Sumra, the Chief Economist, federal secretaries, provincial P&D department heads, and senior representatives from various ministries.
Samra Zulfiqar, a real estate analyst at Zameen.com, is passionate about finding projects that offer buyers the best returns. Her keen insights spotlight the market’s most promising opportunities.
