The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) has approved a significant batch of development projects worth Rs49.31 billion, with an additional Rs19.96 billion in projects recommended for final approval by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC). This announcement, made on February 22, 2025, highlights Pakistan’s continued focus on infrastructure development and socio-economic progress across several sectors.
The CDWP meeting, chaired by Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, reviewed a diverse set of projects covering a wide range of sectors, including education, health, energy, higher education, manpower, and industrial development. Once the additional Rs19.96 billion projects are approved by ECNEC, the total cost of these initiatives will reach Rs69.275 billion.
Among the approved projects, two significant educational initiatives stand out. The CDWP has greenlit the establishment of Daanish Schools in Gilgit-Baltistan (Astore) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), with a combined investment of Rs6.01 billion. The AJK school will accommodate 800 students and feature modern educational interventions, including incubation centers, skill development programs, and IT education, aimed at enhancing learning outcomes and employability in the region.
In the fuel sector, the CDWP approved a Rs1.56 billion project focused on supplying gas to villages within 5 km of gas-producing fields in Sindh and Jhal Magsi Town, Balochistan. This initiative, part of an eight-year plan, will lay 192.964 km of gas pipelines to connect 2,934 households in 81 villages. By providing affordable and reliable energy, the project is expected to reduce dependence on costly and environmentally harmful fuels while creating jobs and supporting long-term economic stability in rural areas.
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) also presented two crucial projects, both of which received CDWP approval. One is the Upgradation of Bannu University of Science and Technology, which will be transformed into a full-fledged university at a cost of Rs2.92 billion. The project aims to serve over 2,000 students and improve academic quality in affiliated colleges. The second initiative, a Rs1.85 billion National Center for Brand Development, aims to strengthen Pakistan’s global brand identity through research, innovation, and training programs focused on marketing, design, and industrial development.
In the technology and space sectors, the CDWP recommended the Pakistan Optical Remote Sensing Satellite project to ECNEC for final approval, with a total cost of Rs19.96 billion. Sponsored by SUPARCO, this project will enhance national security, disaster monitoring, and urban planning, with applications in agriculture, water resource management, and GIS data management.
The government also approved several important projects under the Manpower and Employment sector, such as the Youth Ki Uraan initiative under the Prime Minister’s Youth Empowerment Programme. This Rs7.49 billion initiative focuses on providing targeted interventions in health, education, and skill development for young people, empowering the next generation.
In the media sector, CDWP approved three key projects, including the establishment of a National Information and Media Archival Repository, which will preserve and document critical media content at a cost of Rs2.99 billion. Other approved projects include the rehabilitation of radio broadcasting services in Khairpur and the Central Monitoring Unit, both aimed at enhancing media infrastructure and regulation.
The CDWP also backed several large-scale infrastructure and energy projects, such as the Rs7.4 billion Karachi Industrial Park development and the Rs5.06 billion Green Energy Projects in Punjab. The green energy initiative, which will install solar PV systems at hospitals and schools across Punjab, is expected to generate 28 GWh of clean energy annually and significantly reduce CO2 emissions.
Finally, the CDWP approved projects in the Special Areas sector, including the Strengthening of the Counter-Terrorism Department in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and the Hydropower Project at Mehdiabad, Kharmang, which will address energy shortages in the Skardu district by generating 3.07 MW of electricity.
These strategic development projects, spanning a variety of sectors, are set to propel Pakistan’s economic growth, enhance infrastructure, and improve living standards across the country. The approval of such large-scale initiatives is a clear indication of the government’s commitment to creating a sustainable and inclusive future for its citizens.