31 projects worth Rs.248b approved

ISLAMABAD—The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) here on Monday approved 31 projects costing Rs.248.3 billion including foreign component/assistance of Rs.86.3 billion.
The meeting was chaired by Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Eng. Dr.Muhammad Akram Sheikh. Later, briefing newsmen, Spokesman Planning Commission, Syed Asif Sheikh said that out of 31 projects, 13 projects costing Rs.75.0 billion including foreign Exchange component of Rs.30 billion were approved in infrastructure sector.
Asif Sheikh said 13 projects worth Rs.172.1 billion including Foreign exchange component of Rs.56.2 billion were approved for the Social sector. He said that 5 other projects worth Rs.1.2 billion were also approved by CDWP. He said that of the 31 projects, cost of 15 projects (40.7 %) was over Rs.500 million , the total cost of those projects was Rs.243.8 billion (98.2 %) which was referred to the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) for approval.
The spokesman said that 29 projects costing Rs. 242 billion would be financed by the government. Of the 5 projects located in Punjab, one project namely “Punjab Irrigation System Improvement Project” costing Rs. 6.6 billion would be fully financed by the government of Punjab.
He added that 2 projects located in Balochistan, one namely “Construction of Road from Nagor Sharif to Sunstar (54-Km), from Nallient to Kupper Road (15 Km), from Tal Village Coastal Highway (11.30 Km) and construction of Chib Rikani (15 Km) costing Rs 0.9 billion would be fully financed from the Omani grant to the Government of Balochistan. He further said that CDWP also conceptually cleared the following two projects: 1. Reconstruction of Berths 15-17 A and SRB 1 & 2 at port of Karachi and 2. Upgradation of Lok Virsa Media Centre.

—Agencies.