CDWP clears ten projects, sends KP irrigation scheme to Ecnec

ISLAMABAD: The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) on Monday approved 10 development projects worth Rs40.915 billion and recommended three others, including a Rs69.9 billion irrigation scheme in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec).

The meeting was chaired by Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, according to the Associated Press of Pakistan. APP reported that the three projects referred to Ecnec carry a combined cost of Rs172.25 billion and cover water resources, transport and communications, power, education, higher education and mass media.

Dawn reported separately that the CDWP cleared three major infrastructure projects worth Rs100 billion in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The two accounts differ on the value of what was sent upward: APP puts the total for three projects at Rs172.25 billion, while Dawn describes three KP projects worth Rs100 billion. Neither report named every project involved.

Both outlets reported that the irrigation scheme was recommended for Ecnec approval at Rs69.89 billion, given by APP as Rs69.9 billion. Dawn quoted Iqbal as saying the federal government was reaffirming its commitment to KP's development, and reported that the project is meant to boost agriculture and rural livelihoods in the province.

Dawn also reported that the Centre has pledged support for KP's development since the imposition of emergency and governor's rule in the province.

The CDWP is the technical arm of the planning ministry that vets development schemes and moves them, with its recommendation, to Ecnec or to the relevant ministries for approval. Projects recommended by the party require Ecnec's clearance before financing and execution begin. Ecnec, chaired by the federal finance minister, is the highest forum for approving development schemes above a set cost threshold.

APP's list of sectors indicates the approved and referred portfolio spans school education, higher education, electricity, roads and communications, water resources and media projects. The reports did not provide a province-by-province breakdown of the 10 approved schemes, nor did they say when Ecnec would take up the three referred projects.