KEY POINTS
- CDWP approved six development projects worth Rs. 9.2 billion
- Two power projects in Balochistan were approved to strengthen electricity distribution
- Multiple transport projects approved to boost regional and trade connectivity
- The Hyderabad–Sukkur Motorway (M-6) is planned under hybrid financing
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Central Development Working Party (CDWP), the country’s clearing body for any provincial project, has approved six development projects worth Rs. 9.2 billion and recommended four major schemes totalling Rs. 451 billion for final approval by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), the country’s highest body for approving development projects.
The CDWP meeting, chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, brought together top-tier officials including Planning Secretary Awais Manzur Sumra, Chief Economist, Vice Chancellor of the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), federal secretaries, and representatives from provincial planning and development departments.
The agenda included key sectors—education, power, and transport—with a firm eye on transformative national impact.
Education projects
The forum showed a strong commitment to education by approving three key projects aimed at both early and higher learning.
Balochistan was the focal point for a foundational change in early education through the “System Transformation of Early Education Project – Step-Balochistan,” costing Rs. 2.54 billion.
This project is expected to enhance early childhood education systems and improve foundational learning outcomes in one of Pakistan’s most underserved provinces.
On the higher education front, two major infrastructure projects received approval. The University of Haripur will undergo a significant facelift with Rs. 1.97 billion allocated for the enhancement of its physical and technological facilities.
Similarly, the University of Buner in Swari will see development in its first phase with Rs. 2.31 billion sanctioned for the project.
These upgrades are geared towards elevating the standard of education and providing students with a more competitive learning environment.
Power projects in Balochistan
Two power sector projects focused on Balochistan’s energy infrastructure were also approved. These include the construction of 132kV grid stations in Ornach (Khuzdar) and Kan Mehtarzai, costing Rs. 1.18 billion and Rs. 441 million respectively.
Both projects are aimed at bolstering energy distribution in these remote regions, paving the way for more reliable electricity and supporting local development.
Transport and connectivity projects
The bulk of the discussion and budget was directed at transformative road infrastructure across the country. Five major transport and communication projects were presented, with some approved and others set for final ECNEC review.
Among the approved projects is the construction of a blacktop road from Killi Sardar Abdul Rahim Khilji to Taftan in Chagai District, costing Rs. 741 million.
Designed to improve accessibility in the border regions, this project aims to enhance both security and economic activities by improving local road connectivity.
However, the largest slices of the budget pie were reserved for mega infrastructure endeavors. One such project, the 110-kilometer road from Chedagi (Iran border) to Panjgur, estimated at Rs. 11 billion, was referred to ECNEC.
It promises not only regional connectivity but a vital corridor for cross-border trade. This road will feature bridges, culverts, and drainage infrastructure, establishing a reliable and efficient trade route.
Gwadar and Eastbay Expressway phase-II
Also catching attention was the proposed Eastbay Expressway Phase-II in Gwadar, tagged at Rs. 30.13 billion. Set to be financed primarily through Chinese Grant-in-Aid under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the 13.8 km, six-lane expressway will directly connect the New Gwadar International Airport with the existing port infrastructure.
More than just a road, this expressway will include essential elements like drainage systems, toll booths, fencing, lighting, and security infrastructure.
It has already been endorsed in multiple Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) and Joint Working Group (JWG) meetings under CPEC, with Chinese officials emphasizing its critical role in unlocking Gwadar’s full trade potential.
Hyderabad–Sukkur M-6 project
The most monumental project presented was the Hyderabad–Sukkur Motorway (M-6), proposed as a six-lane, 306-km access-controlled highway estimated at Rs. 394.97 billion.
Designed to serve as a vital link in the larger Peshawar–Karachi Motorway (PKM), the M-6 will transform long-distance travel, particularly for freight moving between major ports and inland cities.
Given the sheer scale of the project, it is planned in segments and will follow a hybrid financing model.
Some sections will be funded through foreign investment, particularly from institutions like the Islamic Development Bank, while others are slated for development under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements.
Currently, Sections IV and V have secured funding from the Islamic Development Bank, and discussions for Section III are nearing finalization.
The motorway is expected to drastically cut travel times, reduce vehicle operating costs, and provide a much-needed alternative to the congested N-5 Highway.
Its completion would not only stimulate economic activity but also foster regional integration, improve road safety, and support the growth of smaller cities along the route.
