ECNEC approves projects worth Rs.116.5b
By Asad Cheema

ISLAMABAD—The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved as many as twenty three projects worth Rs.116.5 billion. The ECNEC meeting was held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz here on Monday.
These projects included 14 new costing Rs.69 billion and 9 revised projects costing Rs.47.5 billion. The projects were approved in Agriculture, Energy, Science and Technology, 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 have been approved during the last three years. The frequent meetings of the ECNEC, the Prime Minister said, held during the last thee years were aimed at cutting down delays in the approval process of development projects in the country.
This has resulted in generating speedy development activities in the country, he said, adding that the government has compiled a booklet for distribution on three years performance. The Prime Minister further said that special attention has been given by ECNEC to approve development projects in the energy sector to meet the future requirements.
He lauded the efforts of the chairman, Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission 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, Dr. Akram Shaikh, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, said that 45 projects were approved in last ECNEC meeting, adding that total projects approved in two months of September and October stand at 68. He said that government envisages to enhance nuclear power production upto 8800 mega watt adding that two mega projects, Chemical Processing Plant (CPP) and Nuclear Fuel Enrichment Plant (NFEP) have been approved by the council. Dr. Akram Shaikh, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, however, said that feasibility study for establishing NFEP was in progress and place for setting up the plant was yet to be finalized. The other development projects in energy field also included, Oil and Gas Exploration in Balochistan and Chashma Hydropower Project, he added. The ECNEC also approved a social sector development project aimed at provision of higher education opportunities for the students of Balochistan and FATA.
The government through Higher Education Commission would provide 2000 scholarships at primary, college and university level with 60 per cent quota for Balochistan and 40 per cent for FATA. He said that government would also establish 10 engineering universities in the country, adding 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 was also approved in the meeting.