On Thursday, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) gave green signal to nine projects which will cost around Rs 251.31 billion.
The meeting was chaired by Finance Minister Dr Hafeez Sheikh. Minister for Planning Asad Umar, Minister for Industries Hammad Azhar and Special Assiatant to Prime Minister (SAPM) Razzaq Dawood also attended the meeting.
Gwadar-Ratodero Road project (M-8) was also approved in the meeting. This project will be sponsored by the Ministry of Communication. A major water supply project for the people of Karachi has also been approved.
The Greater Karachi Water Supply Scheme (K-IV) will deliver 260 million gallons per day (phase-I) at a cost of Rs 25.552bn. This project is now a part of Karachi Transformation Plan (KTP) which will be completed in the next four years. The overall cost is estimated to be Rs 739 bn.
Furthermore, the phase-II of the Pak-China Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) was also given a go-ahead. This project will be completed along the CPEC routes with a cost of Rs 37.96 billion. The committee also approved Rs 70 bn for the COVID-19 response.
Asad Umar, the Federal Minister for Planning and Special Initiatives also tweeted about the meeting and said, “ECNEC approved the largest health care project ever done by federal govt worth Rs. 70 billion. The project includes 45 billion for new health care facilities, 7 billion for national health surveillance, 13 billion water sanitation & hygiene & interventions in less developed areas.”
