ECNEC approves multi-billion rupee initiatives for education, healthcare, and infrastructure 

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) recently convened to review and approve nine projects valued at Rs371.85 billion across various sectors, as detailed in a press release from the Finance Division.   

Among the sanctioned projects is the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Food Security Support Project, with a budget of Rs25.098 billion, aimed at addressing climate vulnerabilities, enhancing food security, and improving livelihoods in flood-affected districts of KP province over a five-year period.  

In Sindh, the ECNEC approved the “Sindh School Rehabilitation Project under Flood Restoration Programme,” valued at Rs86.081 billion, with the goal of rehabilitating 1607 schools in districts severely affected by rain/floods.   

Another KP-focused initiative, the “Education Component: Refugees & Host Communities Regional Sub-Windows SH Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Human Capital Investment Project (KP-HCIP),” received approval at a cost of Rs32.835 billion, targeting the rehabilitation and reconstruction of 1165 damaged schools in 13 districts.  

Additional projects approved include the “Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme” (Rs16.801 billion), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Human Capital Investment Project (Health Component) (Rs24.225 billion), Women Inclusive Finance (Rs31.413 billion), Thar Coal Railway Connectivity (Rs53.727 billion), Peshawar Northern Bypass Project (PNBP) (Rs27.052 billion), and the Greater Thal Canal Project (Phase-II), which was deferred for further consultation.  

The ECNEC also granted permission for the Sindh Barrage Improvement Project (Phase-II), allocating Rs74.618 billion for the rehabilitation and modernization of Sukkur Barrage and remaining works for Guddu Barrage.   

Chaired by Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, the caretaker Federal Minister for Finance, Revenue & Economic Affairs, the meeting involved discussions among government officials.   

The approved projects cover diverse areas such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and disaster recovery, reflecting a comprehensive approach to addressing various socio-economic challenges across provinces.