Flood rehabilitation programs of Sindh, Balochistan get nod

“The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved flood rehabilitation programs for Sindh and Balochistan, among 19 projects presented during last month’s meeting. Balochistan’s Integrated Flood Resilience and Adaptation Program (IFRAP) is a priority program funded by the World Bank, while Sindh’s Flood Response Emergency Housing Project will receive an investment of Rs. 50 billion from the federal government.”
The meeting, chaired by the deputy prime minister, addressed 21 agenda items, one of which was the reconstruction and rehabilitation of flood-affected areas in Balochistan. The forum approved four sub-components of the $400 million World Bank-funded Integrated Flood Resilience and Adaptation Program (IFRAP): a $155 million housing reconstruction and restoration sub-component, a $50 million road infrastructure sub-component, a $40 million livelihoods component, and a $30 million irrigation infrastructure component. An amount of Rs11.2 billion has been allocated in the PSDP 2024-25 for reconstruction projects in Balochistan. The forum directed that reconstruction activities in Balochistan proceed expeditiously while ensuring top quality.
Several projects being undertaken in Sindh were also approved by the forum, including the revised Flood Response Emergency Housing Project for Rs296 billion, including Rs50 billion committed by the federal government. An amount of Rs30 billion has been allocated in PSDP 2024-25 as a federal share for housing reconstruction in Sindh. The chair informed the forum that the federal government remained committed to providing its share in housing reconstruction efforts in Sindh. Other projects included in Sindh ADP that were approved included, Karachi Water and Sewerage Services Improvement Project Phase-II and Competitive and Livable City of Karachi. The forum also cleared revised PC-I of operationalization of Green Line BRTS in Karachi at a rationalized cost of Rs13.502 billion while observing that the Sindh government is considering increasing the fare to reduce subsidy being borne by the federal government, as well as, NHA executed rehabilitation and reconstruction of 86-km long stretch of national highway (N-5) between Moro and Ranipur.
Among the projects falling under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the forum cleared the re-alignment of KKH between Thakot and Raikot at a rationalized cost of RMB 13.067 billion, as well as, the revised PC-I of New Gwadar International Airport. The new Gwadar airport is scheduled to become operational within the calendar year. The forum; however, did not clear the re-modified PC-I for the up-gradation of Railways main line-1 (ML-1) and advised the Pakistan Railways to consider preparing smaller projects and packages with specific for financing and implementation.
Other projects approved by the forum included electrical and mechanical works and allied buildings as well as access roads of the Lowari tunnel for Rs33.257 billion and 48-MW Jagran hydropower station at Rs13.995 billion so that the project can be completed by December 2024. The forum also extended the Sehat Sahulat Program till the end of December 2024 with the direction to the Ministry of National Health Services to submit by 15th September its recommendations regarding shifting the program to the current budget, improving its fiscal sustainability, and reforming the regulatory and monitoring framework. Prime Minister’s Program for Elimination of Hepatitis C Infection was also approved for Rs68.25 billion to be shared equally between the federal government and provinces. The Ministry of National Health Services was tasked to prepare an implementation plan with well-defined targets and measurable indicators within three months. The forum also directed the Planning Commission to carry out an exercise for reviewing the Public Sector Development Program in view of the shrinking fiscal space available with the federal government and the timely completion of ongoing projects.
These approvals demonstrate the government’s commitment to expedite economic development, rehabilitation, and improve the lives of citizens across Pakistan.