By Abdul Ghani

The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) has approved four higher education projects worth Rs13.6 billion to strengthen academic infrastructure, improve teaching and research facilities and enhance the quality of higher education.

The projects focus on developing skilled human resources in technology, management and veterinary sciences, linking investment in physical infrastructure with specialised human-capital development, according to the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives' Monthly Development Update – September 2026, available with Wealth Pakistan.

The largest of the four is the revised Strengthening of KBCMA College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (CVAS) project, sponsored by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), with an approved cost of Rs5.494 billion.

Another major investment is the revised Establishment of Hyderabad Institute for Technology and Management Sciences, carrying a cost of Rs4.559 billion. The HEC-sponsored project was approved by the CDWP on August 5.

The CDWP also approved the revised Strengthening of the Women University of AJ&K Bagh project at a cost of Rs2.551 billion.

The fourth project is the Provision of Academic Facilities at Emerson University, Multan, with an approved cost of Rs1.044 billion.

Together, the four projects carry a total cost of about Rs13.6 billion, in line with the figure given by the Planning Ministry for higher education projects approved during the month.

Two CDWP meetings held during the month considered 19 agenda items, comprising 14 projects, four position papers and one policy paper proposal. Seven projects amounting to Rs25.4 billion and two position papers were approved.

Five projects worth Rs283.9 billion and one position paper were recommended to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), while one policy paper, one position paper and two projects were deferred.

Higher education therefore accounted for a substantial share of the projects directly approved by the CDWP during the month.

Development of education and professional capacity also featured in projects approved under other sectors.

The CDWP approved the revised Establishment of Medical and Nursing College at Gilgit project at a cost of Rs4.924 billion. The project aims to establish modern medical and nursing education facilities in Gilgit, enhance access to quality healthcare education and develop skilled healthcare professionals to meet the region's growing needs.

A separate Rs2.753 billion project for the Establishment of National Defence University FCS Campus at Defence Complex Islamabad was also approved.

According to the report, the project aims to establish a dedicated National Defence University campus to strengthen higher education, research and strategic studies. It is also intended to enhance professional capacity and support national security and defence policy formulation.

These development initiatives are being undertaken within the federal Public Sector Development Programme for FY2026-27, which has been approved at Rs1 trillion, including Rs255 billion as foreign-loan rupee cover.

The report said development resources are to be strategically focused on projects aligned with Uraan Pakistan, with emphasis on fast-moving and high-impact ongoing projects amid fiscal constraints. The objective is to improve public investment efficiency, ensure value for money and achieve sustainable and inclusive development outcomes.

Human capital also features prominently in the ministry's development outlook. Going forward, the report says greater emphasis on private investment, exports, productivity, technology, human capital and climate resilience will support broad-based growth.

Credit: INP-WealthPk