Islamabad: The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has sanctioned six substantial development initiatives totaling more than 178 billion rupees, focusing on enhancing the nation’s infrastructure in health, agriculture, energy, and transport sectors. The decision came during a meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar.

According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the approved projects are significant in scope and impact. Among them is the establishment of the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research in Lahore, which is allocated a budget of 52,772.520 million rupees. This initiative underscores a significant investment in the health sector aimed at enhancing cancer research and treatment facilities.

In the agriculture sector, the Sindh Livestock and Aquaculture Development Project will receive 38,360 million rupees, aiming to boost the regional agriculture and aquaculture industries. Additionally, the energy sector will see the construction of the 84-megawatt Gorkin Matiltan High Power Plant, revised with a funding of 35,758 million rupees.

Further approvals were given to projects in the transport and communications sector, which include the construction and widening of roads from Sibi-Talli and Kohlu to Rakhni with an investment of 8,401.227 million rupees. The upgradation of the Jaglot-Sakradu Road will be carried out with a budget of 33,270.600 million rupees, and the construction of Rathoua Haryam Bridge across the Reservoir Channel on the Mirpur-Islamabad Road is allocated 9,239.534 million rupees.

These projects are expected to significantly contribute to the infrastructure and socio-economic development of the regions involved, alongside improving the quality of life for the local populations through enhanced services and facilities.