ISLAMABAD: The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) convened under the leadership of Ahsan Iqbal, the Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, to review and approve development projects aimed at bolstering Pakistan’s economic sectors. The meeting resulted in the approval of 15 projects valued at Rs. 34.740 billion, while nine substantial projects totaling Rs. 431.022 billion were forwarded to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for further deliberation.
According to Press Information Department, the meeting was attended by key officials, including the Secretary Planning Awais Manzur Sumra and other senior representatives from federal ministries and provincial governments. The projects considered span critical sectors such as Fuel, Health, Information Technology, Higher Education, and Transport & Communications, aligning with the government’s URAAN Pakistan initiative. This initiative focuses on human capital development, governance modernization, infrastructure improvement, and sustainable economic growth.
The approved projects encompass various areas such as mineral exploration, healthcare, digital infrastructure, and road connectivity across all four provinces and Azad Jammu & Kashmir. Notable projects include the “Exploration of Radioactive Minerals, Marwat Range,” the provision of medical imaging equipment in hospitals of AJ&K, the establishment of E-Sports Arenas, and the enhancement of IT infrastructure at the National Defense University.
The CDWP also recommended several significant projects to ECNEC for further consideration. These include the establishment of an Emerging Technologies Data Centre, the National Artificial Intelligence Ecosystem Development Program, and the development of Pakistan Communication Satellite – 2. Additionally, projects aimed at improving electricity supply in AJ&K and several transport and communication initiatives were put forward. The meeting underscored the importance of strategic investments in technology and infrastructure to propel Pakistan towards a knowledge-based economy.