The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) has approved 12 development projects worth Rs35.4 billion, including a major upgrade for Pakistan Railways’ ML-1 line, and referred six major schemes amounting to Rs280.2 billion to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for final approval.
Chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, the meeting reviewed 18 projects across sectors such as agriculture, health, education, energy, water, and transport. Speaking on the occasion, the minister said development should focus on “people, performance, and purpose,” ensuring that every approved project contributes to a better future for Pakistan.
He reaffirmed that the government’s long-term strategy follows Vision 2025 and the “Uraan Pakistan” 5Es Framework, which centers on Exports, E-Pakistan, Energy & Infrastructure, Environment, and Equity & Empowerment. The framework aims to transform Pakistan into a competitive and knowledge-based economy by 2047.
In the transport sector, the CDWP approved the Detailed Engineering Design for the Pakistan Railways ML-1 Rohri–Khanpur–Multan Section, costing Rs3.21 billion, with financing support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). It also referred the Preliminary Design and Drawings for ML-1 and the Havelian Dry Port project, worth Rs16.26 billion, to ECNEC for consideration.
Ahsan Iqbal described the ML-1 modernization as “Pakistan’s leap into the 21st century,” stressing that as global rail systems move toward electrification, Pakistan must upgrade its infrastructure to remain competitive and sustainable.