Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, chaireda meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council(ECNEC) at Cabinet Division today.
ECNEC considered and approved a summary regarding the construction of theGwadar-Ratodero Road Project (M-8) sponsored by the Ministry ofCommunication and executed by NHA at a rationalized cost of Rs. 38,026.28million. The ECNEC approved the project in view of its strategic importanceas it will facilitate connectivity for CPEC projects through improved roadlinkages.
A summary was presented before ECNEC regarding the provision of AdvancedSkills Development through International Scholarship Phase-1 for Master andPh.D. programs to be executed by the Higher Education Commission (HEC).
The project is part of a Prime Minister Knowledge-Economy Task ForceInitiative which will enable our youth to access higher educationopportunities in well-reputed international universities. ECNEC approvedthe project at a rationalized cost of Rs. 13.361 billion.
A summary regarding Greater Karachi Water Supply Scheme (K-IV) 260 MGD(phase-1) was presented before ECNEC. The project would provide additional260 MGD water to Karachi at the total cost of Rs. 25,551.77 million. Theexpected period of completion is 04 years. ECNEC approved the project forthe provision of environment-friendly water sanitation and waste managementinfrastructure/facilities to residents of Karachi.
Similarly, a project titled ‘Solid Waste Emergency and Efficiency Project(SWEEP)’ was presented before the Committee sponsored by the Localgovernment, Housing and Town Planning Department, Government of Sindh witha total cost of Rs. 16,800 million including IBRD-World Bank loan of Rs.16,000 million.
The project is designed to mitigate the risk of widespread flooding causedby inadequate solid and liquid waste management during monsoon season andto improve the Solid Waste Management (SWM) infrastructure and servicedelivery with a view to transforming Karachi into an eco-friendly city inthe long run.——————————
ECNEC considered and approved the “Khyber Pakhtunkwa Human CapitalInvestment Project” (KPHCIP) (Education Component) at the total cost of Rs.18910.255 million ($115 million). The Project has been financed by theWorld Bank/IDA. The Project is envisioned to upgrade basic educationinfrastructure in the districts of Peshawar, Haripur, Nowshera, and Swabiof the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.
The project for the “Construction of 100 Dams in Balochistan- Package IV(23 Dams)” was approved by ECNEC at the total cost of Rs.13,512.725million. Irrigation Department, Government of Balochistan will execute theproject and it will complete in 03 years. Realizing the water scarcity inthe Province of Balochistan, the project is designed to harness flood flowsfor direct irrigation, groundwater recharge, and agricultural developmentthrough the construction of small dams throughout the Province.
Phase-II of the “Pak-China Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) Project forEstablishment of Cross-Border OFC Network (Khunjerab-Karachi) Along ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Routes” was approved at the total cost ofRs.37,915.899 million. The project will provide an alternate path forinternational connectivity through the Northern Border of Pakistan withChina and would transform Pakistan into a Digital Gateway of regionalconnectivity.
COVID-19 response and other Natural Calamities Control Program was approvedby the ECNEC at the cost of Rs. 70 billion as federal share. The projectincludes the National Health up-gradation program, National program forWater and Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), COVID-19 interventions for lessdeveloped areas, etc.
ECNEC also approved the Project for “Dualization and Improvement of OldBannu Road” at the total cost of Rs. 17,230 million from federal PSDP(2020-21). The project envisages dualization of the existing 02-lane oldBannu road measuring 83 km in length from Gandi Chowk to Sarai Naurang(8km) and Domail to Krapa on N-55 (75km) to 4 lanes with a 7.3 m widecarriageway on either side.
Scope of work also includes an extension of existing culverts & bridges,construction of retaining walls along with drainage/erosion works, andallied facilities. NHA shall execute the project.——————————
Federal Minister for Planning, Development Reforms and Special InitiativesAsad Umar, Minister for Industries and Production Hammad Azhar, Adviser tothe PM on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood, Adviser to the PM for InstitutionalReforms and Austerity Dr. Ishrat Hussain and Minister for Economic AffairsKhusro Bakhtiar participated in the meeting.