ECNEC approves nineteen development projects

Islamabad: Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Saturday accorded approval to nineteen development projects.

Meeting of ECNEC was held in Islamabad on Saturday with Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar in the chair.

To expedite the reconstruction and rehabilitation of flood affected areas in Balochistan, the forum accorded approval to four sub-components of 400 million dollars World Bank funded Integrated Flood Resilience and Adaptation Programme.

The forum directed that reconstruction activities in Balochistan be undertaken expeditiously while ensuring top quality.

A number of projects being undertaken in Sindh were also approved by the forum, including the revised Flood Response Emergency Housing Project at a cost of 296 billion rupees.

The Chair informed the forum that the federal government remains committed to providing its share in housing reconstruction efforts in Sindh.

The forum also cleared revised PC-I of operationalization of Green Line BRTS in Karachi at a rationalized cost of 13.502 billion rupees.

 Among the projects falling under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the forum cleared the re-alignment of KKH between Thakot and Raikot at a rationalized cost of 13.067 billion RMB as well as the revised PC-I of New Gwadar International Airport.

The new Gwadar airport is scheduled to become operational within the calendar year.

Other projects approved by the forum included electrical and mechanical works and allied buildings as well as access roads of Lowari tunnel at a cost of 33.257 billion rupee and 48 MW Jagran hydro power station at 13.995 billion rupee.

The forum also extended the Sehat Sahulat Program till end December this year.

Prime Minister's Programme for Elimination of Hepatitis C Infection was also approved at a cost of 68.25 billion rupees to be shared equally between federal government and provinces.

The Ministry of National Health Services was tasked to prepare an implementation plan with well-defined targets and measurable indicators within three months. The forum also directed the Planning Commission to carry out an exercise for reviewing the Public Sector Development Programme in view of the shrinking fiscal space available with the federal government and timely completion of on-going projects.

These approvals demonstrate the government's commitment to expedite economic development, rehabilitation, and improve the lives of citizens across Pakistan.