The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) has given the green light to 24 development projects with a combined cost of Rs465.762 billion. Among these, the most significant is the upgrade of track and allied infrastructure on the ML-3 railway line, covering the Rohri–Sibi–Quetta–Koh-e-Taftan section, valued at Rs278.619 billion. The meeting was chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives and Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Ahsan Iqbal.
Approved Projects Worth Rs34.740 Billion
The forum approved 15 development projects worth Rs34.740 billion directly. These include the “Exploration of Radioactive Minerals, Marwat Range” costing Rs1.440 billion, and the “Provision of CT Scan & MRI Machines in DHQ Hospitals & Teaching Hospitals of AJ&K” worth Rs5.483 billion. Other approved projects are the “Establishment of Prime Minister’s E-Sports Arenas and Training Centers in HEIs – HEC” at Rs3.167 billion, the “Geospatialx Complex (GEO-AI Development & Innovation Hub)” at Rs4.004 billion, and the “Upgradation of IT Infrastructure at Faculty of Security Studies (FSS), National Defense University, Islamabad” worth Rs999 million.
Additionally, the “PAKAWAZ Secure Mobile Communication Ecosystem” costing Rs708.712 million, “Acquisition of Land & Construction of Office-Cum Residential Accommodations for IBD Staff at Swat” for Rs301.213 million, and “Construction of Accommodation of Headquarters FC Balochistan (West)” for Rs2.019 billion were approved. The “Construction of District Headquarter for Intelligence Bureau at Mithi District Tharparker” worth Rs112.130 million and the “Capacity Enhancement of CAF-Management of Western Border by Construction of 120 Bedded Hospital for Frontier Corps (South) at Turbat (Ph-II)” costing Rs2.485 billion also received approval.
Further approvals include the “Construction of Accommodation for 5 x Wing Headquarters at Khwaja Khel, Bagh Maidan, Shin Qamar, Khyber Tribal District and Had Ambar/Khapakh Mohmand Tribal District and 20 x Border Out Posts Frontier Corps KP North” worth Rs3.813 billion, the “Supply of Three Phase AMI Meters Under Power Distribution Strengthening Project-II (LESCO)” at Rs6.256 billion, and the “Establishment of Robotics Centre of Excellence” for Rs500 million. Two road projects in District Norowal were also approved: “Construction of Road from Essa Morr to Siddiquepura (Phase-I & II)” at Rs2.034 billion and “Construction of Road from Essa Morr to Siddiquepura and Chaal to Dholan Morr via Nonar Musalmanian Kila Ahmed Abad (21Km) (Revised)” for Rs1.418 billion.
Nine Projects Recommended to ECNEC Worth Rs431.022 Billion
The CDWP gave in-principle approval to nine development projects with a cumulative cost of Rs431.022 billion and recommended them to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for further consideration. Three of these are in the information technology sector. The “Establishment of Emerging Technologies Data Centre” worth Rs7.930 billion aims to create a national data center for secure, sovereign, and government-owned AI and high-performance computing infrastructure, supporting government, academia, research, and the private sector.
The “National Artificial Intelligence Ecosystem Development Program (NAIEDP)” worth Rs13 billion includes a comprehensive feasibility study by a specialized consultancy to assess the AI ecosystem, stakeholder landscape, technical requirements, financial viability, legal frameworks, and risk mitigation. The study will produce an upgraded PC-I for informed decision-making. The third IT project, “Pakistan Communication Satellite – 2 (PakSat-2)” worth Rs37.192 billion, involves developing and deploying a communication satellite in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) and upgrading ground control centers in Lahore and Karachi, leveraging SUPARCO’s expertise.
A physical planning & housing sector project, “Acquisition of Land and Hiring of Consultancy Firms for Feasibility Study for Establishment of Special Protection Unit (SPU) In ICT Police Islamabad,” worth Rs9.413 billion, was also recommended. It includes acquiring 26.76 kanal (16,189.80 sq yd) of land in Sector H-11, Islamabad, and hiring consultants for feasibility and detailed design.
In the power sector, the AJK government’s “Strengthening & Improvement of Electricity Supply Network in AJ&K” worth Rs10 billion received in-principle approval. Four transport and communications sector projects were recommended: “Construction of Lalamusa Bypass (N-5)” at Rs20.354 billion, “Upgradation of Track and Allied Infrastructure on ML-3; Rohri–Sibi–Quetta–Koh-e-Taftan Section (996 km)” at Rs278.619 billion, “Construction of Mashkel - Chedgi Road (108.5 km) CSR-2025 (Revised)” at Rs43.647 billion, and “Construction of Rathoa Haryam Bridge Across Reservoir channel on Mirpur-Islamgarh Road, Mirpur AJ&K” at Rs10.867 billion.
ML-3 Rail Project Financing and Remarks
The ML-3 project, a long-delayed initiative, is proposed to be financed through the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), with interim funding via bridge financing from Reko Diq Mining Company (RDMC) and the Government of Pakistan. Reviewing the project, Ahsan Iqbal noted that work on the ML-3 upgrade had remained stalled since 2018.
