The National Economic Council (ECNEC) has given its approval to the Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme with a budget of Rs. 16.8 billion. This decision was made during a meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Ishaq Dar.
Approval of Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme
The Ministry of Planning, Development, Reform, and Initiative presented the proposal for the Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme to the ECNEC. It was mentioned that the CDWP (Central Development Working Party) had already given its approval, but the project required a review of scope and cost by the member (S&T) before submitting it to ECNEC.
After careful consideration, the cost of the scheme was rationalized from Rs. 17.5 billion to Rs. 16.8 billion, as recommended by CDWP. The revised PC-I was submitted at the same cost, with no changes in the scope.
Completion Date and Financing
The Planning Commission informed ECNEC that the project would be financed by the federal government and was scheduled to be completed within two years, from 2023 to 2025. Following this presentation, the forum granted its approval for the scheme.
Other Approved Projects
Apart from the Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme, ECNEC also approved several other projects:
- Modernization of Hydromet Services of PMD in Pakistan (MHSP) – The Aviation Division’s project was approved with a budget of Rs. 14,498.875 million. The execution would be carried out nationwide by the Pakistan Meteorological Department and funded by the World Bank as part of the Post-flood 2022 Reconstruction Program.
- Water Requirement for K-IV Project Improvement – The Ministry of Water Resources’ project in District Jamshoro & Thatta of Sindh Province was approved with an estimated cost of Rs. 39,942.559 million. The funding would be shared equally between the federal and provincial governments.
- Lahore Ring Road-Southern Loop (SL-3) Construction – The Government of Punjab’s project in District Lahore, with a total cost of Rs. 17,785.850 million, was approved. The financing would be solely provided by the Government of Punjab ADP.
- Prime Minister’s National Programme for Solarization Agriculture Tube Wells – The Ministry of National Food Security & Research’s project for Punjab, Sindh, KP, and Balochistan, including existing pumping systems, was approved by ECNEC.
- Construction of Khawazakhela – Besham Expressway – The Ministry of Communications’ project in the districts of Shangla and Swat of KP Province, with a cost of Rs. 79,130.878 million, received the council’s approval.
- Pakistan Education Fund – A project of the Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training, aimed at providing scholarships, was approved at a cost of Rs. 14,000 million. It would be executed all over Pakistan by the Higher Education Commission, NEST, and Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training.
- Lahore-Sahiwal-Bahwalnagar Motorway (295 km) Phase-I – Lastly, the Ministry of Communications’ project in districts Bahawalpur, Kasur, Lahore, Okara, Pakpattan, and Sahiwal of Punjab Province, with a budget of Rs. 263,795.863 million, was given the green light.
