Ecnec approves 23 projects worth Rs 116.5 billion

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Monday approved 23 projects worth Rs 116.5 billion. The Ecnec meeting was held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz. These projects included 14 new, costing Rs 69 billion and 9 revised projects costing Rs 47.5 billion.
The projects have been approved in Agriculture, Energy, Science and Technology, Water, Transport and Communication, Environment, Higher Education and Culture sectors. In his remarks, the Prime Minister informed the Ecnec that a record number of development projects had been approved during the last three years.
The frequent meetings of Ecnec, the Prime Minister said, held during the last thee years, were aimed at cutting down delays in the development projects approval process. This had resulted in generating speedy development activities in the country, he said, adding that the government has compiled a booklet for distribution on the three years'' performance.
The Prime Minister said that special attention had been given by Ecnec to approve development projects in the energy sector to meet the future requirements. He lauded the efforts of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission Chairman for developing indigenous technology to launch classified and non-classified nuclear energy projects in the country.
The Council members offered Fateha for the victims of the terrorists attack in Karachi on October 18 and prayed for the departed souls who lost their lives in the unfortunate incidents.
Later, briefing newsmen, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Dr Akram Shaikh said that 45 projects were approved in the previous Ecnec meeting, and added that total projects approved in two months, September and October, stood at 68.
He said that the government envisages to enhance nuclear power production to 8800 megawatt, and added that two mega projects--Chemical Processing Plant (CPP) and Nuclear Fuel Enrichment Plant (NFEP)--have been approved by the Council. He, however, said that feasibility study for establishing NFEP was in progress and the place for setting up the plant was yet to be finalised.
Other development projects in energy field also included Oil and Gas Exploration in Balochistan and Chashma Hydropower Project, he said. The Ecnec also approved a social sector development project aimed at providing higher education opportunities for students of Balochistan and FATA.
The government, through Higher Education Commission, would provide 2000 scholarships at primary, college and university levels, with 60 percent quota for Balochistan and 40 percent for FATA.
He said that the government would also establish 10 engineering universities in the country, and added that one such university would be established in Islamabad with the help of China. The Ecnec approved the proposal for acquiring the land for the university in the capital city.
Clean drinking water for all, Balochistan small-scale irrigation project and Toiwar-Batozai Storage Dam Project, rehabilitation and reconstruction of Bolan Dam Project were also approved in the meeting.
The Ecnec also approved the Establishment of Pak-China Friendship Centre in Islamabad. The Prime Minister directed that keeping in view the special relationship between China and Pakistan, CDA should offer land for this project at rates admissible to government project.
In the sector of Science and Technology, the Ecnec approved two projects, namely Establishment of the National Institute of Lasers and Optronics at Islamabad, and Construction of Office Building for Ministry of Science and Technology in Islamabad.
Akram informed the journalists that 632 projects costing Rs 2.36 trillion had been approved by the government in last 8 years, which included 394 projects related to infrastructure building, and 200 projects in social sector and other miscellaneous projects.