Latest news with #ECNEC
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
ECNEC greenlights 100MW solar project for Gilgit-Baltistan
Listen to article The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Saturday approved a 100-megawatt solar photovoltaic power plant project for Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B), days after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the initiative. During his recent visit to G-B earlier this week, the premier unveiled a Rs4 billion relief package for the flood-affected region, along with plans for the solar energy project and the establishment of a Danish School for underprivileged children. Following ECNEC's green light, formal work on the power project is expected to begin immediately. The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) had already cleared the plan ahead of ECNEC's approval. Also Read: Second phase of Hajj 2026 applications to begin on August 11 The solar project will be implemented across multiple districts, including Astore, Darel, Tangir, Diamer, Ghanche, Ghizer, Gilgit, Hunza, Ishkoman, Nagar, Rondu, Skardu, and Shigar. Implementation will take place in three phases. In the first phase, Skardu will receive 18.958 megawatts of electricity. The second phase will provide 6.005MW to Hunza, 28.013MW to Gilgit, and 13.126MW to Diamer. The remaining districts will get 16.096MW in the final phase. Additionally, the project will deliver 18.162 megawatts of off-grid solar power to hospitals and government offices in the region, easing the burden on existing infrastructure. With a total estimated cost of Rs24.957 billion, the solar power initiative is expected to be completed within three years. Officials say the project will help bridge the energy gap in the remote northern region and support essential public services.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
ECNEC approves Rs1.5tr for 27 projects
Listen to article In an unprecedented development, the federal government on Thursday approved 27 projects worth over Rs1.5 trillion in just a few hours, without much scrutiny. Most projects were related to Sindh and Balochistan. Key schemes include the Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway, the reconstruction of a National Highway in Sindh, and upgrades to the dangerous N-25 road in Balochistan. Several Sindh-focused projects were also approved, despite these violating the National Fiscal Pact signed under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme. The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, approved 28 projects spanning energy, infrastructure, education, health, environment, and public service across both federal and provincial levels, according to an announcement from Dar's office. Planning ministry officials later clarified that 27 projects were approved, while the Sehat Sahulat Card scheme was referred to a committee. Dar reaffirmed the government's commitment to inclusive, sustainable growth, institutional reforms, and long-term economic stability. However, the ECNEC meeting lasted barely two hours and approved Rs1.5 trillion worth of projects. Thirteen additional items, mostly linked to Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP)-backed schemes in Sindh and road works in Balochistan, were also cleared. The federal government approved the construction of the Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway (M-6) at a cost of Rs363 billion, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal confirmed. A Chinese company has reportedly offered to build all five sections of the motorway. While the Islamic Development Bank is funding two sections, the government may allow Chinese companies to undertake the entire construction. This is the fourth time the project has been approved after previous attempts under the public-private partnership (PPP) model failed. Initially approved in 2020 at Rs165 billion, the project cost was revised to Rs191 billion in 2021, then to Rs308 billion in 2022. The current approval at Rs363 billion marks a 121% increase from the original cost. The project is now part of the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP). The Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway is the only missing north-south highway link and is a top priority for the PPP, which tied its budget support to inclusion of this project in the PSDP. The ECNEC also approved half a dozen Sindh government projects, funded by Rs86 billion from federal resources, another result of the PPP-Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) budget negotiations. Three sections of the Karachi-Quetta-Chaman "killer road", the N-25 or Balochistan Expressway, were approved at a total cost of Rs415 billion. The dualisation of the 278km stretch between Karachi and Quetta will cost Rs183.4 billion over three years, with Rs33 billion allocated for FY26. Another 332km stretch, Khuzdar to Kuchlak, will cost Rs99 billion, with Rs34 billion allocated this year. The Karoro Wadh and Khuzdar-Chaman sections (104km) were approved for Rs133 billion, with Rs33 billion allocated for the current fiscal year. The Green Pakistan Programme was upscaled to Rs122.2 billion, focusing on forest restoration, biodiversity, and non-timber forest markets. Punjab is set to receive Rs32 billion and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Rs28 billion from the programme. The 16MW Naltar Hydropower Project was approved at Rs10.6 billion. A Rs17 billion flood management project in Balochistan's Kachhi Plains was also approved. Punjab's Tourism for Economic Growth project was cleared at Rs12.2 billion. The Higher Education Development programme was approved for Rs21.2 billion. The Prime Minister's Pakistan Fund for Education was given Rs14 billion, while Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz's Laptop Programme got Rs27 billion. A road dualisation project from Sargodha to Mianwali via Khushab was approved at Rs12 billion, with the federal government covering 25% of the cost, in breach of IMF conditions. Lahore's sewerage system from Larechs Colony to Gulshan-e-Ravi was approved at Rs49.3 billion. A separate Rs12 billion project was cleared for a controlled access corridor between Niazi and Babu Sabu Interchanges, to be fully funded by Punjab. Balochistan's Water Security and Productivity Improvement Project was approved at Rs10 billion. A road from Gujranwala to the M-2 Interchange via Hafizabad was approved for Rs13.2 billion. The federal government will contribute Rs3.7 billion or 28.2%, in violation of the National Fiscal Pact. Rehabilitation and upgrading of the Jhaljao-Bela Road was approved for Rs16.2 billion. A revised Rs41 billion project under the Pakistan Raises Revenue Programme was also approved. Funded by a $400 million World Bank loan in 2019, it aims to boost revenue collection and expand the tax base but remains incomplete after six years. The road from Sanghar to the National Highway will be reconstructed for Rs37 billion, equally funded by the federal and Sindh governments. The Rohri-Guddu Barrage road upgrade, covering M-5 Interchange Sadiqabad to Khanpur Mahar, Mirpur Mathelo and Mureed Shah, was approved at Rs18 billion. The Sindh Coastal Highway project was cleared at a revised cost of Rs37.7 billion, with the federal government contributing Rs27 billion and Sindh Rs10.8 billion via its Annual Development Programme. The dualisation of Mehran Highway from Nawabshah to Ranipur (135km) was approved at a revised cost of Rs41 billion. Lastly, the reconstruction of the National Highway N-5 under the Resilient Recovery and Reconstruction Framework was approved at Rs165 billion ($588 million). The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is providing $500 million, which is 85% of the total cost.
News18
02-08-2025
- Politics
- News18
Neglecting Tagore's Legacy: Students Protest To Demand Campus For Bangladesh's Rabindra University
Last Updated: Students and teachers at Rabindra University have been taking classes on the Dhaka-Pabna National Highway, leading to trouble for commuters The legacy of Rabindranath Tagore, the Nobel laureate who composed Bangladesh's national song, is under fresh scrutiny after miscreants recently vandalised his ancestral house in Sirajganj. Adding to the growing concern is the plight of Bangladesh's Rabindra University, an institution named in the Nobel laureate's honour, which still lacks a permanent campus after its inception. Students and teachers at Rabindra University have taken to the streets since July 26, staging a continuous protest on the Dhaka-Pabna National Highway. They are demanding immediate construction of a permanent campus—a promise long overdue. Demonstrations include symbolic classroom sessions on the highway, human chains, and road blockades, causing major disruptions to commuters. The university, established during then prime minister Sheikh Hasina's tenure, officially began its academic activities in the 2017–2018 session. Although 100 acres of land were allocated in Shirajgunj and a Rs 519 crore project has been approved by the Ministry of Education, the project still awaits final approval from ECNEC (Executive Committee of the National Economic Council). Protesters, including faculty members, students, and local citizens, claim the delay is due to a negative environmental report submitted by Environment and Forest Affairs Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan. During a recent highway protest, students chanted slogans demanding her resignation, alleging that her report has stalled the project without justified reason. 'This university is in the name of the great Rabindranath Tagore, who gave us our national song, yet we are being denied a permanent campus," said Zakaria, a first-year PG Sociology student, speaking to News18. 'We have been protesting for the last three months. We are bleeding from our hearts because we cannot even properly respect Tagore. We will go for bigger protests if ECNEC doesn't act." As part of the protest, university teachers held symbolic classes on the highway, where students attentively attended 12 classes across five departments. The powerful and poignant act was meant to highlight the poor academic conditions students are currently facing in rented facilities. Currently, the university operates out of two rented buildings—Shirajpur Mohila College and Saifuddin Yahia Degree College—with over 1,200 students, 34 teachers, 54 officers, and 107 staff. Lacking hostels, a proper campus, and basic infrastructure, the university falls far short of standard higher education expectations. 'We don't know what's in the environmental report, but the way this project is being neglected is unacceptable," said Nazrul, the university's Proctor. 'This is not about politics—it's about our fundamental right to education and respect for Tagore's legacy." Protesters have vowed to continue their movement until the Development Project Proposal (DPP) is fully approved and construction begins. According to organisers, highway blockades will continue until at least August 10 and may escalate further if their demands are not met. First Published: August 02, 2025, 16:26 IST News world Neglecting Tagore's Legacy: Students Protest To Demand Campus For Bangladesh's Rabindra University Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Express Tribune
26-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Rs415 billion approved for rehabilitation of 'killer road'
The government on Friday conditionally cleared the construction of three different sections of the 'killer road', the Balochistan Expressway or N-25, at an estimated cost of Rs415 billion, which is being funded through Rs8 per liter levy on petrol and high speed diesel. The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) cleared, in principle, construction of the three sections having a total length of 692 kilometers with an estimated cost of Rs415 billion for three different sections, according to the Ministry of Planning officials. Once completed in at least three years, there will be a dual carriageway from Quetta to Karachi, which will also open new avenues of economic development and connectivity. The Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission and Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal chaired the CDWP meeting. The project, to be executed in three different sections, will be presented before the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for its final approval after the National Highway Authority addresses queries raised in the CDWP meeting on Friday. The CDWP has the mandate to approve up to Rs7.5 billion projects and refer the higher cost schemes to ECNEC, which is chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar. The CDWP recommended dualisation of Karachi-Quetta-Chaman road having 278 kilometer length for the approval of ECNEC. This route will be constructed with a cost of Rs183.4 billion in three years and Rs33 billion have been set aside in the budget for the current fiscal year. However, given the low allocations in the first year, it will be challenging to complete this major route in three years unless the allocation is increased to Rs75 billion annually from the next fiscal year. The CDWP also in principle cleared the Rs99 billion worth dualization of Khuzdar-Kuchlak section of N-25 having 332 kilometers length. For the current fiscal year, the government has allocated Rs34 billion for its construction. The cost of the Khuzdar-Kuchlak section is less compared to the other two roads due to the award of contracts in the year 2021. About 52% work on this Khuzdar-Kuchlak road is already completed and the remaining work is expected to be finished in two years. The CDWP also sanctioned the dualization of Karoro Wadh section & Khuzdar Chaman section at a cost of Rs133 billion to build 104 kilometer road. For this fiscal year, Rs33 billion have been earmarked for this section. This project will need Rs50 billion per annum allocation for the next two fiscal years to complete the scheme on time. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in April this year imposed an additional Rs8 per liter levy on every liter of petrol and diesel consumed by rich and poor alike to fund these deadly roads. There had been criticism against the Prime Minister's decision due to the fact that people already are heavily taxed and the government should wisely use these resources instead of putting more burdens. The government currently charges Rs75 per liter petroleum levy, Rs2.5 per liter climate levy and 10% custom duty on every liter of petrol sold in Pakistan, making it one of the heaviest taxed products. The petrol is now sold at Rs272 per liter after adding all taxes and profit margins of dealers. But PM Shehbaz reacted to these criticisms and stated that those opposing road projects in Balochistan, were narrow-minded. "We will complete the Karachi, Kalat, Khuzdar, and Quetta highway projects to the highest standard," he had vowed. The premier had said that the initiative to build roads reflected the aspirations of the people of Balochistan and was aimed at enhancing connectivity and ensuring safer travel in the province. The CDWP raised questions about the alignment of roads, revisions in the cost and the land acquisition. Once the sponsoring ministries address these questions, the projects will be tabled before the ECNEC for the final approval. For the current fiscal year, the government has allocated Rs1 trillion for the federal Public Sector Development Programme. Out of this, Rs210 billion has been set aside for various projects of Balochistan.
Express Tribune
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
K-P protests ouster of key hydropower projects
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has strongly protested the federal government's exclusion of two major hydropower projects from the Integrated Generation Capacity Expansion Plan (IGCEP) 2025-2035, calling the move retaliatory and unjust. In a letter to Federal Minister for Energy Sardar Owais Ahmed Leghari, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Energy, Engr Tariq Sadozai, expressed serious concern over what he termed the Centre's continued lack of cooperation in provincial energy initiatives. He highlighted the Gabral Kalam (88 MW) and Maden (157 MW) hydropower projects in Swat, launched under the World Bank-supported Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Hydropower and Renewable Energy (KHRE) program, are scheduled for completion in 2027. Both projects had previously been included in IGCEP 2021-30 and 2022-31 with the approval of ECNEC, the Council of Common Interests (CCI), and NEPRA. Terming their exclusion from the updated IGCEP 2025-35 a constitutional violation, Sadozai warned that such actions undermine provincial rights. He argued that if federal projects like Mohmand Dam, Dasu, and Tarbela 5th Extension are classified as "committed" in IGCEP, then the two K-P-based projects deserve the same status. The K-P government plans to raise the matter at the highest forum and has urged the federal government to immediately review its decision and restore the projects in the IGCEP framework.
