Pakistan has taken a major step toward strengthening its space program. The Central Development Working Party has recommended the PakSat-2 satellite project for final approval by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council. The project carries an estimated cost of Rs. 37.19 billion.
Officials reviewed seven development schemes during the CDWP session, held under the government’s Uraan Pakistan agenda. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said the country’s space capabilities remain central to this development push.
Additionally, the CDWP approved a Rs. 3.62 billion project to establish a Geo-AI Development and Innovation Hub. This hub will strengthen geospatial capabilities and encourage innovation across the sector.
Meanwhile, the forum also approved a revised plan for the Dr. Ashfaq Ahmad Khan Center in Basic Sciences. Officials first approved this project back in 2018, but land disputes stalled its progress.
Iqbal therefore directed officials to update the center’s scope and align its cost with current requirements. He pointed out that eight years had passed since the original approval. He also asked the Higher Education Commission to identify universities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and Balochistan for similar centers.
Furthermore, he called for laboratory upgrades at five engineering universities. He urged universities to focus more on turning research into commercial applications.
The CDWP separately approved a Rs. 5.01 billion project for commercial-scale olive cultivation. The plan will expand olive plantations in Balochistan and the newly merged districts.
Officials will also assess the Potohar region for its potential. The government has set a target of developing one million acres of olive plantations.
The forum also approved Rs. 338.2 million to upgrade the high-frequency radio network used by WAPDA’s Water Resources Management Directorate. Of the seven projects considered, five worth Rs. 21.59 billion received approval from the CDWP.
However, two projects worth a combined Rs. 94.3 billion, including the PakSat-2 satellite project, were sent to ECNEC for further review.
