ISLAMABAD: The PML(N) government has taken several initiatives that would contribute to economic development of the country and enhance the overall growth.
The Major focus of development work has been shifted to the development of water reservoirs, power sector capacity, road communication, education and health projects, as the previous government has miserably failed to make any positive changes in these sectors.
The government is investing a hefty amount of Rs.59 billion for the water sector projects to ensure sufficient water for agriculture and the people besides making permanent arrangements for future power generation to overcome energy crisis.
The government would develop projects like Katchi Canal (Dera Bugti and Nasirabad), Rainee Canal (Ghotki and Sukkur), Kurram Tangi Dam (North Waziristan), Extension of Pat Feeder Canal to Dera Bugti, Gomal Zam Dam (South Waziristan), Ghabir Dam (Chakwal) besides completing Mangla Dam raising, lining of water courses in Sindh and Punjab, flood protection and drainage schemes all over the country.
The resolution of power crisis is the top priority of the government as nothing has consumed time and energy of PML (N) leadership more than the problem of energy and its immediate resolution, official sources said.
The government has already announced some urgent and durable steps to resolve the problem of energy crisis, namely the circular debt, however, its real concern is to develop additional resources of energy so as to permanently overcome the problem of power shortages.
A huge amount of Rs.225 billion will be invested in this sector of which Rs.107 billion will come from the PSDP and the remaining will be mobilized by PEPCO WAPDA through government support.
The projects in power sector include Neelum-Jhelum Hydro Power Project (1000 MW), Daimir- Bhasha Dam and Hydropower Project (4500 MW), Tarbela Fourth Extension Project (1410 MW), Thar Coal Gasification Project (100 W) and Chashma Civil Nuclear Power project (600 MW).
The government is also funding two Karachi Nuclear Coastal Power Projects (2200 MW) with Chinese assistance, Keyal Khawar Hydro Project (122 MW), Allai Khawar Hydro Project (122 MW), Combined Cycle Power Projects at Nandipur and Chichiki Malian (950 MW), Upgradation of Guddu Power Project (747 MW gas-based), conversion of oil based power projects to coal at Muzaffargarh and Jamshoro (3,120 MW) and numerous projects to improve transmission lines, grid-stations and distribution systems.
Building National Highways is another priority of the government as no proper measures for road connectivity were taken despite the fact that the size of economy has increased manifold.
But, now the new government has carefully examined the entire portfolio of national highways and have reprioritized it in accordance with the needs of the country.
The government is according top priority to connect Gwadar Port to the north by rapidly completing the various sections of Turbat-Basima-Ratodero and other smaller sections of M-8 so that the real benefit of the port flow to the people.
It will also accelerate work on M-4 connecting Faisalabad to Khanewal and Multan, besides taking fresh initiative to build M-9 linking Karachi-Hyderabad on Public Private Partnership basis.
In addition, the entire system of motorways planned by NHA will be completed during the next five years that would result in expansion of domestic trade, significant reduction in cost of transportation of goods from north to south, cheap transport for people to move around in different parts of the country and increased opportunities of tourism in the country.
Besides, the motorway network, the government has opened a preliminary dialogue with the Chinese government for constructing a high quality modern expressway linking Gwadar with Kashgar.
Apart from these strategic projects, the government is investing on a large number of national highways, bridges, rehabilitation and reconstruction of national roads destroyed by floods and regional roads for connectivity.
A sum of about Rs.73 billion has been kept in the budget for the road sector.
The government has also shown its commitment to revive Pakistan Railways and lay the foundation for restoration of its past glory, the sources said adding the Minister for Railways is developing a detailed plan to convert Pakistan Railways into a proper corporation through an Act of the Parliament and will be managed by an independent Board.
Development funding for railways will be gradually increased for locomotives, doubling of track, addition to rolling stocks, rehabilitation of signaling system and modernization of communication links.
Next the government would allocate Rs.31 billion for different projects of railway compared to the revised estimate of Rs.20 billion for 2012-13.
Feasibility studies will be completed for linking Pakistan through rail from Gwadar to Afghanistan, on one side, and Gwadar to China, on the other.
Karachi Circular Railway project will be expedited with the help of Japanese Government.
The government has also made a sizeable allocation of Rs.57 billion for the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to support development plans of different universities all over the country and increase enrollment in higher education.
The enrollment in higher education will increase from 1.08 million students in 2012-13 to 1.23 million students in 2013-14, showing an increase of 14% in the population of students pursuing higher education while the number of foreign scholarships will rise to 6,249 from 4,249, showing an increase of 2000 scholarships during 2013-14.
Federal Government, despite devolution, is continuing to fund a number of national health initiatives and has allocated nearly Rs.26 billion for these programs
The government would also reviewed Export Promotion Zones policy to make it more attractive while industrial estates will be established throughout Pakistan fully equipped to provide the required infrastructure for industrial undertakings.
The government would develop Gwadar Special Economic Zone and will be linked with major economic centers in Pakistan as well as neighboring countries.
Through Gwadar and transforming the country in becoming a regional gateway of international trade is limitless.
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