Development projects worth Rs126 billion sent for Planning Ministry’s approval

ISLAMABAD: Three development projects totaling Rs126 billion were forwarded for approval to the Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives on Wednesday,

The projects were approved during a meeting of the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) chaired by Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Mohammad Jehanzeb.

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During the meeting, three projects collectively amounting to Rs126 billion were forwarded to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for approval.

The development projects submitted for ECNEC’s consideration include the Rs33.27 billion Jaglot-Skardu road upgradation project and the Moro to Ranipur road project, valued at over Rs57.24 billion.

Meanwhile, ECNEC also reviewed and approved a comprehensive health plan exceeding Rs35 billion in value.

The health plan is aligned with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s programme aimed at eradicating hepatitis C infection from the country.

The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) serves as a key entity within the Planning Development and Special Initiatives sector, responsible for evaluating and clearing provincial projects. Headquartered at the Planning and Development Division, Planning Commission in Islamabad, the CDWP plays an important role in the project evaluation and approval process.

CDWP conducts detailed analyses, including technical, financial, and economic aspects, through its specialized departments such as Appraisal & Evaluation, Technical, and related units.

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Projects exceeding an individual cost threshold of Rs10 billion undergo intense scrutiny and recommendation by the Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP) before reaching the CDWP. The CDWP subsequently facilitates and oversees the review and approval process for these projects.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) actively holds the ultimate authority to approve provincial projects with individual costs exceeding Rs10 billion. ECNEC’s jurisdiction also extends to projects involving foreign involvement or irrigation projects with costs totaling Rs1,000 billion or more.