Islamabad (Web Desk): The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Tuesday approved solarization of agriculture tube wells in Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan at a cost of over Rs377 billion in three years.
The ECNEC meeting, chaired by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar accorded the approval, the Radio Pakistan reported.
Phase-I of the project will comprise Rs90 billion including Rs30 billion of Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) and equivalent share by provincial governments as well as beneficiary farmers for the financial year 2023-24.
This project is to enhance agricultural productivity through clean and green energy by converting the existing 100,000 tube wells into solar PV system.
The project is to be executed by the Ministry of National Food Security through the Federal Water Management Cell (FWMC) and Provincial Departments of Agriculture.
The forum also consented "Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rural Investment and Industrial Support Project” (RIISP) in Bajur, Khyber, Kurram, Mohmand, North Waziristan, Orakzai, South Waziristan, and erstwhile frontier regions at a cost of Rs110.700 million. The project will be completed in two phases by 2031.
The ECNEC also considered a revised PC-I of on-going project of Sindh Government titled "Sindh Solar Energy Project" at a cost of over Rs27 billion. This on-going project will improve energy security and fulfill Pakistan's international commitments on climate change.
The council further approved evacuation of power from 800 MW Mohmand Dam to the National Grid at a cost of over Rs14 billion.
The ECNEC gave approval to construction of Lahore Bypass from Kalashah Kaku Exit to KLM to Multan Road near Radio Station, costing over Rs34 billion.
Besides, the forum approved Emergency Plan for Polio Eradication" at a cost of $1,784.90 million, making Pakistan free of the crippling disease.
Among others, Minister for Commerce Syed Naveed Qamar, Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Finance Tariq Bajwa, SAPM on Revenue Tariq Mehmood Pasha, Senator Nisar Ahmad Khuhro, KP Finance Advisor Himayatullah Khan, federal secretaries and senior officers from federal and provincial departments attended the meeting.