ISLAMABAD, NOV 25 /DNA/ – Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar chaired a meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) today in Islamabad.

Meeting highlights:

• The Committee considered eleven development projects approving ten projects costing Rs 172.7 billion.
• One project was deferred for further clarification on the part of the Ministry of Health.
• Six of the approved projects are in Balochistan.
• Approved projects pertain to health, skills development and solid waste management sectors recommended by CDWP; and infrastructure sector projects for improving connectivity in the provinces of Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh.

⁠The approved projects:

• Prime Minister’s Youth Skill Development Program to empower over 150,000 youth by imparting training in the area of IT and Industry.⁠ (Rs 15 billion)
• Land acquisition for the Gwadar-Quetta rail connectivity project (Rs 15.6 billion)
• Land acquisition for the rail connectivity project with Afghanistan from Kohat through Kharlachi (Rs 15.7 billion)
• For east-west connectivity of Balochistan, two projects costing (Rs 26.3 billion) for upgradation of Dirgi Shahbozai to Taunsa road; and the Khani Cross to Ziarat-Sanjavi road
• Construction of road from Sui to Kashmore (Rs 9.4 billion) in Balochistan
• The World Bank funded project for developing solid waste infrastructure for Karachi (Rs 29.2 billion including World Bank financing of Rs 27.8 billion)

• ⁠The World Bank funded Green Line Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS), Karachi (Rs 29.2 billion)
• ⁠Upgradation of Gaddani Shipbreaking and Recycling Industry (Rs 12.9 billion)
  • Gwadar Lasbela Livelihood Support Project (Phase-II) to enhance the incomes and livelihoods of the rural fishermen and agricultural households of Balochistan. The project is costed at Rs 19.4 billion with IFAD and Saudi financing of about Rs 17.8 billion.

The forum was apprised that the balance allocation for the remaining period needs to be prioritized during formulation of PSDP; with the progress against the targets assigned to the projects to be gauged in term of its outcomes.