In a significant development, the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) convened on Thursday, with Dr. Jahanzeb Khan, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, presiding over the meeting.
During this session, the CDWP granted approval to seven pivotal development projects, amounting to a substantial sum of Rs71.8 billion. Among these, five projects with a combined budget of Rs11.7 billion received direct approval from the CDWP.
These projects encompass a range of sectors, including climate change, healthcare, education, energy, and road infrastructure development. The approved projects notably include initiatives like "Enhancing Technical Capacities of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination," valued at Rs316.71 million, "Establishment of the Directorate General of Religious Education (4th Revised)" worth Rs1,253.420 million, and "Implementation of the Wide Area Monitoring System (WAMS) for the NTDC Power Network (Pilot Project)," with a budget of Rs1,349.420 million, among others.
Additionally, the CDWP has recommended two substantial projects, totaling Rs60 billion, for consideration by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC). One of these projects, the "Refugees & Host Communities Regional Sub Windows SH Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Human Capital Investment Project (KP-HCIP) Education Component," boasts a significant budget of Rs33 billion.
This project, supported by foreign financing, aims to enhance access to primary and secondary education, particularly for girls. It will transform selected districts by upgrading primary schools to middle schools, followed by their further advancement to high schools, thus bringing about a comprehensive educational transformation.
Furthermore, the CDWP endorsed a crucial project known as the "Peshawar Northern Bypass," covering a substantial stretch of 32.2 kilometers (3rd Revised PC-I), with a budget of Rs27,051.680 million. The proposed financing for this pivotal project is expected to come from the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP).