Ayesha Saba

The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) approved 22 development projects and recommended nine others to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) during its January 2026 meetings, marking significant progress in advancing federal and provincial development initiatives.

According to the Monthly Development Update (February 2026) issued by the Economic Policy Wing of the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, three CDWP meetings were held under the chairmanship of the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission to review proposals submitted by various ministries and provincial governments.

The forum considered a total of 34 agenda items, including 24 development projects, seven position papers and three concept clearance proposals. Of these, 22 projects and position papers were approved at the CDWP level, while nine were recommended to ECNEC for final approval. Two projects were deferred for further review, and one proposal was withdrawn by the sponsoring agency. All three concept clearance proposals were cleared.

The approved and recommended projects span a broad range of sectors, reflecting the government’s focus on balanced and inclusive development. In the education sector, two projects costing Rs5.84 billion were approved to establish Danish Schools in Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan, aimed at expanding access to quality, modern education.

In the governance sector, two projects worth Rs3.8 billion were cleared to strengthen institutional and analytical capacity within the Ministry and to update the base year for national economic accounts, ensuring that official statistics better reflect recent structural changes in the economy.

The health sector also received major attention. Three projects costing Rs12.52 billion were approved to expand healthcare facilities, strengthen disease-surveillance systems, and improve cardiology infrastructure. Additionally, two larger health initiatives amounting to Rs56.14 billion were recommended to ECNEC for further consideration.

Other sectors witnessed approvals as well. The information technology sector saw clearance of a project valued at Rs67.4 million to improve IT services at the Wafaqi Mohtasib Secretariat. The manpower sector had a major skills development initiative costing Rs25.17 billion recommended to ECNEC to equip youth with employable, demand-driven skills.

Projects in mass media, physical planning and housing, and transport and communications were also reviewed and advanced. Several infrastructure and connectivity initiatives were approved to address urban development needs and improve transport services across regions.

The report indicates that the structured review process aims to ensure that public investments are aligned with national priorities and deliver tangible socio-economic benefits. By scrutinizing proposals at the CDWP stage, authorities seek to enhance project readiness, feasibility and impact before implementation.

The January approvals reflect continued momentum in development planning, with projects targeting improvements in education, health, governance, skills and infrastructure. The broad sectoral coverage highlights an integrated approach designed to strengthen service delivery and support long-term growth.

With 22 projects approved and nine moving to ECNEC for final consideration, the latest review underscores the government’s ongoing efforts to accelerate development initiatives and translate planning into concrete outcomes across the country.

Credit: INP-WealthPk