The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) on Saturday approved 65 projects costing over Rs 100 billion, of which 25 projects were recommended for approval of the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec).
The projects approved in CDWP meeting held here with Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Dr Akram Sheikh are related to transport and communications, water resources, energy, commerce, health, population, education and mass media etc.
A large number of projects related to water resources and energy including Pehur High Canal Project (ADB loan), increasing capacity of Barani Dam and PC-I for Balochistan small scale irrigation were approved.
Dr Akram Sheikh observed that Wapda and provincial government should acquire land for Kurram Tangi Dam on priority. Wapda informed the meeting that 1,300 villages will be electrified during the current year and 1,500 more villages will be electrified next year under Roshan Pakistan Programme.
Advanced CAD/CAM training centres costing Rs 485 million were approved relating to industries and production division. A number of projects relating to health also came under discussions. Strengthening of National Control Authority for biological and its independent laboratory at a cost of Rs 231 million, up-gradation of existing facilities at National Institute of Heart Disease at Rawalpindi, Liver Transplant Centre project at Sheikh Zayed Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lahore at a cost of Rs 170 million and establishment of Institute of Cardiology at Peshawar at a cost of Rs 1,462 million were approved.
The deputy chairman, planning commission directed the officials of population ministry to take some concrete steps to control population growth. The officials of population ministry assured the deputy chairman that their ministry had changed its strategy in motivating the people and concerned Moulanas of the mosques are being involved.
The ministry of information and broadcasting gave a presentation on the establishment of 26 stories Media Tower to be built in Islamabad at a cost of Rs 1,150 million. The main purpose of the tower is to provide infrastructure facilities to media people.