The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved nineteen development projects in a meeting held in Islamabad, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar.
The forum gave the green light to four sub-components of the World Bank-funded Integrated Flood Resilience and Adaptation Programme, worth $400 million, to expedite the reconstruction and rehabilitation of flood-affected areas in Balochistan.
Several projects in Sindh were also approved, including the revised Flood Response Emergency Housing Project at a cost of 296 billion rupees. The Chair assured the forum that the federal government is committed to contributing its share to the housing reconstruction efforts in Sindh.
The meeting also approved the revised PC-I for the operationalization of the Green Line BRTS in Karachi at a rationalized cost of 13.502 billion rupees.
Under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the forum cleared the re-alignment of the Karakoram Highway (KKH) between Thakot and Raikot at a rationalized cost of 13.067 billion yuan, as well as the revised PC-I of the New Gwadar International Airport.
Other approved projects included electrical and mechanical works, allied buildings, and access roads for the Lowari tunnel at a cost of 33.257 billion rupees, and the 48 MW Jagran hydro power station at 13.995 billion rupees.
The forum also extended the Sehat Sahulat Program until the end of December this year. Additionally, the Prime Minister’s Programme for the Elimination of Hepatitis C Infection was approved at a cost of 68.25 billion rupees, with costs to be shared equally between the federal government and the provinces.
