April 22, 2020:- The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) approved three projects at the cost of Rs12.55 billion and recommended two projects valued at Rs196.6 billion to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for consideration for final approval.

The CDWP met with Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Mohammad Jehanzeb Khan in the chair at P-Block Secretariat on Wednesday.

Secretary Planning Zafar Hasan, senior officials from the federal government also participated in the meeting, while representatives from provincial governments participated through video link.

Three projects related to physical planning and housing, transport and communications were presented in the meeting.

A project related to physical planning and housing, "Program to Uplift Water Supply and Sanitation Infrastructure in Under Development Area of Punjab" at the cost of Rs3,300 million was approved by the CDWP.

The project aims to uplift water supply and sanitation of Tehsil Isa Khel, District Mianwali located on north-west side at the bank of Indus River.

Four projects related to transport and communication were presented in the meeting.

First project, "Dualization of Quetta Western Bypass" worth Rs7,103.78 million was approved in the meeting.

The project envisages dualization of existing two lane 22.5 km long Quetta Western bypass to four lanes.

The additional two lanes will be 7.3 meters wide , second project "Construction of Dera Murad Jamali Bypass on National Highway N-65" worth Rs2,143.465 million was also approved by the forum requesting two projects "Construction of Hyderabad-Sukkur, 6 Lane divided, fenced Motorway on BOT basis" worth Rs182.496 billion and "Construction and Up-gradation of Jhaljao-Bela Road Hyderabad-Sukkur 6 Lane divided, fenced Motorway on BOT Basis" worth Rs14.14 billion were referred to the ECNEC for approval.

A position paper was presented relating to "Improving Human Development Indicators in Pakistan with focus of SDGs relating to Education and Six EFA Goals" worth Rs3,616.152 million and realising the present corona pandemic, the CDWP approved extension for salaries of the staff for six months (up till June 2020) on humanitarian grounds including the BECS teachers.

The Ministry of Education was directed to present a proposal to the Planning Commission for handing over of students and teachers to the respective provinces within a week.