ECNEC okays number of projects
1. Islamabad: ECNEC Approves Projects Including New Gwadar International Airport Operational by 2024
ISLAMABAD: The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved various projects on Saturday, including the revised PC-I of the New Gwadar International Airport, set to become operational by 2024.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar chaired the ECNEC meeting at the Prime Minister’s House. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was unable to chair the meeting due to other commitments. Attendees included Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzaib, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, the deputy chairman of the Planning Commission, representatives of provincial governments, and senior officers.
The meeting reviewed 21 agenda items recommended by the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) and approved 19 projects.
To expedite the reconstruction and rehabilitation of flood-affected areas in Balochistan, the forum approved four sub-components of the $400 million World Bank-funded Integrated Flood Resilience and Adaptation Programme (IFRAP). These include a $155 million housing reconstruction and restoration sub-component, a $50 million road infrastructure sub-component, a $40 million livelihoods component, and a $30 million irrigation infrastructure component.
Rs 11.2 billion has been allocated in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2024-25 for reconstruction projects in Balochistan. The forum directed that reconstruction activities in Balochistan be expedited while ensuring top quality.
Several projects in Sindh were also approved, including the revised Flood Response Emergency Housing Project at a cost of Rs 296 billion, with Rs 50 billion committed by the federal government. Rs 30 billion has been allocated in the PSDP 2024-25 as the federal share for housing reconstruction in Sindh.
The Chair assured that the federal government remains committed to providing its share in housing reconstruction efforts in Sindh. Approved projects in the Sindh ADP included the Karachi Water and Sewerage Services Improvement Project Phase-II and the Competitive and Livable City of Karachi project.
The forum also cleared the revised PC-I for the operationalization of the Green Line BRTS in Karachi at a rationalized cost of Rs 13.502 billion. The Sindh government was advised to consider increasing fares to reduce the subsidy borne by the federal government. The forum also approved the National Highway Authority’s (NHA) rehabilitation and reconstruction of the 86-km long stretch of national highway (N-5) between Moro and Ranipur.
Other approved projects included electrical and mechanical works, allied buildings, and access roads of the Lowari Tunnel at a cost of Rs 33.257 billion, and the 48 MW Jagran hydro power station at Rs 13.995 billion, with a completion target of December 2024.
The forum extended the Sehat Sahulat Program until the end of December 2024, directing the Ministry of National Health Services to submit recommendations by September 15 on shifting the program to the current budget, improving its fiscal sustainability, and reforming the regulatory and monitoring framework. The Prime Minister’s Programme for Elimination of Hepatitis C Infection was also approved at a cost of Rs 68.25 billion, to be shared equally between the federal government and the provinces.
The Ministry of National Health Services was tasked with preparing an implementation plan with well-defined targets and measurable indicators within three months.
The forum also directed the Planning Commission to review the Public Sector Development Programme in view of the shrinking fiscal space available to the federal government and to ensure the timely completion of ongoing projects.
The forum did not approve the re-modified PC-I for the up-gradation of the Railways main line-1 (ML-1) and advised Pakistan Railways to consider preparing smaller projects and packages with specific plans for financing and implementation.
