ISLAMABAD: Central Development Working Party (CDWP) has approved as many as 21 projects worth Rs 41.2 billion and recommended 09 projects worth Rs 165.014 billion to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC).

The Committee met with Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Ahsan Iqbal in the chair here on Tuesday. The Federal Minister directed all the project executing agencies to focus on the project impact on social environs including people and their problems.

The CDWP approved six projects of Higher Education Commission for new universities and strengthening of existing universities. While commenting on the approach of PSDP, the Federal Minister said, "HEC should develop solid and tangible interventions which should improve our innovation and research capacity and all universities should be friendly for disabled students. He directed HEC to pre-qualify renowned architects for construction of campuses.

He said, "National architecture has thematic significance defining cultural heritage of the country. Government is taking special measures to bring higher education to international levels. Scholarships for backward area universities were approved to allow local faculty opportunity of future education".

He directed, "Every University should establish endowment fund and HEC should evaluate universities for raising funds from alumni and industry". The Federal Minister announced that those districts having no university campus will be covered by establishing HEC Campus within next three years. He said, "Approval of new university campus in Swat and strengthening of Gomal University, D.I Khan is a proof that PML-N is partaking with PTI government for development of KPK and higher education. We need to work together for building better Pakistan".

The Detail of Approved Projects:

1. Improving Human Development Indicators in Pakistan with focus on MDGs Relating to Education and Six EFA Goals by Federal Education & Professional training.

2. PC-I of Phase-II of the DEBT for Education SWAP-II (German Assisted) by EAD

3. Non-Formal Education Promotion Project with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) by Govt of Punjab

4. Construction of 132 kV Grid Station at Zard Ghulam Jan and 132 kV SDT Mangocher - Zard Ghulam Jan Transmission Line (20 km) by Govt of Balochistan

5. Evacuation of Power from 147 MW Patrind Hydropower Project (NTDC) by Water & Power Division

6. Transmission Scheme for Dispersal of Power from Neelum - Jhelum, Karot and Azad Pattan Hydro Power Project by Water & Power Division

7. Construction of 132 KV Grid Station at Dera Bugti and 132 KV SDT Sui - Dera Bugti Transmission line (55 km) (Revised) by Water & Power Division

8. Construction of 132 KV Grid Station at Sui and 132 KV SDT Kashmore - Sui Transmission Line (50 km) (Revised) by Water & Power Division

9. Establishment of University of Swat (Phase-I) by HEC

10. Essential Infrastructure for Lahore College for Women University (LCWU), Lahore, Jhang Campus by HEC

11. Establishment of Public Health and Nursing Institutes at Peoples University of Medical and Health Sciences for Women, Nawabshah (Shaheed Benazirabad) by HEC

12. Strengthening of Academic & Research Facilities Gomal University, D.I. Khan by HEC

13. Strengthening and Expansion of University of Gujrat and Allied Campus by HEC

14. Up-gradation of Academic Facilities at Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam by HEC

15. Center for Rural Economy by Ministry of Planning & Development

16. Project Management Unit in Ministry of Railways

17. Operation and Management of Kashmir Railways

18. Replacement of two Diesel Generating set of 1000KW (one MW) workshops Division Mughalpura

19. Feasibility study for dedicated freight corridor for transportation of coal from Karachi to Lahore 1250 km by M/O Railways.

20. Feasibility studies Planning & Design of Waste Water Treatment Plants for Faisalabad (French grant) by Govt of Punjab

21. Construction of 06 (six) Nos Jhanjhasar, Chanida, Rinmalsar, Adhigham, Lakar Khadio, and Koowara Dams in Nagarparkar Area (Thar Region) by water and power Division

The Recommended projects for ECNEC:

1. Water Supply and Sewerage Schemes Mirpur City and other Hamlets in the Periphery of Mangla Dam by KA & GB Division

2. Rehabilitation and Improvement of Track of Pakistan Railways

3. Procurement of 75 (55 Nos. 4000 - 4500 H.P & 20 Nos. 2000 - 2500 H.P) Diesel Electric Locomotive

4. Procurement of Hopper Wagons for Coal Transportation (Phase-I)

5. Construction of New Secretariat Block at Constitution Avenue Islamabad by M/O Housing & Works

6. Rehabilitation of NHA Highways Network Damaged due to Unprecedented Monsoon Rains & Flash floods 2010

7. Lowari Tunnel and Access Roads Project

8. Sindh Irrigated Agriculture Productivity Enhancement Project (SIAPEP) World Bank Assisted by Govt of Sindh

Construction of Water Carrier (100 cusec) from Spinal Drain RD 362 (LBOD) to Nab for Thar Coal Power Generation Units by Govt of Sindh-PR