The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved six
projects worth Rs110.3 billion. These projects include the Karachi Neighborhood
Improvement project (KNIP) costing Rs 18,805.577 million, with a World Bank
loan of Rs16,709.389 million. The KNIP aims to upgrade the infrastructure of
Karachi City in Karachi South, Korangi, and Malir districts.
Another approved project is the “Developing Resilient Environment and
Advancing Municipal Services (DREAMS-I)” by the Punjab government. It will cost
Rs 64,480.646 million, with an Asian Development Bank (ADB) loan of Rs
51,584.517 million and a local component of Rs 12,896.129 million. This project
aims to enhance climate resilience and urban living in Rawalpindi and Bahawalpur
cities of Punjab.
The ECNEC also considered and approved the Prime Minister’s National
Programme for Solarization of agriculture tube wells in Sindh, Punjab, Khyber-
Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan provinces, and now includes Islamabad Capital
Territory (ICT) rural areas.
Furthermore, the committee approved the “Rural Development and Climate
Resilience Project” of the Gilgit-Baltistan government, estimated to cost Rs16,264
million with foreign financing of Rs1,1067 million. This project aims to improve
the living conditions and resilience of Gilgit-Baltistan households and
communities to climate change and natural disasters.
Another approved project is the “Feasibility/cost estimate for Dualisation of
Sialkot-Eminabad Road up to Kamoki, including link to motorway 65 kms.” It will
cost Rs10,825.113 million with 50% cost sharing between the Federal and Punjab
governments, and the National Highways Authority (NHA) will execute the
project.
Lastly, the ECNEC approved the outsourcing of Islamabad International Airport
(IIA) under public-private partnership (PPP) mode. This project aims to modernize
the existing infrastructure of the airport, attract private sector participation, and
implement international standards to stimulate aviation activities and growth.
