The Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) has given go-ahead to Ratodero-Gwadar Motorway (M-8) Project. The Rs3.8 billion scheme has strategic importance as it would facilitate CPEC connectivity through improved road links.

The body that met with its head Abdul Hafeez Shaikh in the chair Thursday approved Rs37.9 billion Pak-China Optical Fiber Cable Project-Phase II. It is aimed at providing an alternate path for world connectivity via Pak border with China and transforming Pakistan into a digital gateway of regional connectivity.

The schemes that got the ECNEC go-ahead included Rs25 billion Karachi Water Supply Scheme (K-IV) 260 MGD (phase-1)’, Rs13.361 billion skill development scheme, Rs16.8 billion solid waste emergency.

A couple of days ago, Prime Minister Imran Khan restructured the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC), making Abdul Hafeez Sheikh its chairman and Asad Umer, Khusro Bakhtiyar, Hammad Azhar, Makhdoom Hashim Jawan Bakht (Punjab), Nisar Ahmed Khuhro (Sindh) and Taimur Saleem Khan Jhagra (KP) members.

Adviser to PM on Commerce and Industry Abdul Razak Dawood and Adviser to PM on Institutional Reforms and Austerity Dr Ishrat Hussain are no more members of the council.

Two months after coming to power in 2018, PM Khan reconstituted the ECNEC with Finance Minister Asad Umar as the chairman and Khusro Bakhtiar, Razak Dawood, Dr Ishrat, Jawan Bakht, Nisar Khuhro, Taimur and Tariq Khan Magsi were the members.