The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) approved a portfolio of development projects worth Rs160.2 billion in a meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Prof Ahsan Iqbal.

The projects cover health, housing, transport, communications, and climate-resilient infrastructure.

In the health sector, the Sindh government’s “Sindh Human Capital Investment: 1,000 Days – Integrated Health and Population Program” costing Rs55.08 billion was recommended to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC).

It will focus on maternal, child, adolescent health, nutrition, and family planning, funded through foreign assistance.

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Under transport and urban infrastructure, the Hyderabad Urban Infrastructure Development Package costing Rs5 billion was approved to improve urban mobility.

Meanwhile, the Karachi Urban Infrastructure Development Package, valued at Rs15 billion, was recommended to ECNEC to address critical infrastructure gaps in multiple districts including Central, East, South, West, Korangi, and Malir.

For flood-affected areas, the Emergency Food Assistance Project (EFAP) in Sindh costing Rs60.05 billion, was recommended to ECNEC.

Funded mostly by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), it aims to restore roads, improve connectivity, and support socio-economic recovery in 17 districts, including Badin, Dadu, Hyderabad, Larkana, and Thatta.

In Balochistan, the BT Road improvement from Liari to Lakhra and Uthal to Lakhra, costing Rs3.52 billion, was approved to enhance mobility, connect markets, and improve access to healthcare and education.

The revised Winder Dam Project costing Rs21.62 billion was also recommended to ECNEC to improve irrigation, water storage, and agriculture.

The CDWP also approved the creation of nine Seerat Chairs covering areas such as Leadership, Human Rights, Education, Social Justice, Global Peace, Inter-Faith Harmony, Commerce, Sustainable Development, and Gender Studies.

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A Digital Media Unit will be established to promote Seerat studies globally and address misconceptions about Islam.

Prof Ahsan Iqbal emphasized that all projects would focus on human capital development, climate-resilient infrastructure, and inclusive growth. He assured close monitoring of implementation to ensure timely execution and effective use of public resources.