DEVELOPING THE FAR FRONTIER

Since its creation in 1966 the Frontier Works Organization has been a pioneer in extensive development of communication infrastructure in the country. Striving for Excellence is the motto that FWO stands for and lives by. Gist of current areas of focus and pursuits particularly in the frontier regions is as under:
FATA No More A Forbidden Frontier FWO ventured into the Federally Administered Tribal Areas when it was regarded as the most dangerous place on the earth. Despite grave security concerns, non-availability of requisite technical workforce, construction material and serious logistic concerns; FWO was determined to undertake and accomplish the challenging task with traditional zeal and spirit.
Gomal Zam Dam was the first project taken up by FWO. The construction work, initially given to a Chinese firm had barely started when it was abandoned sequel to attack by the terrorists in which a couple of their workers had been killed. The challenge to complete it was entrusted to FWO which completed it despite great odds in 2013.
The dam is now irrigating 163,000 acres of barren farmland through its 260 km canal network and producing 18 MW electricity which is being supplied to the villages and towns of South Waziristan through the newly constructed Wana Grid Station and a High Power Transmission Line upto Wana. Another irrigation project that is nearing completion is the Dhana Irrigation Scheme which will irrigate about 1017 acres of Barani land West of Wana.
Now FATA has been well connected through construction of the Central Trade Corridor that links Indus Highway with the Afghan Ring Road which is further connected with the landlocked Central Asian Republics. Two Highways ie the Dera Ismail Khan-Wana-AngurAdda Road (216 km) and the Bannu-MiranShah-Ghulam Khan Road (82 km) now pass through the heart of FATA to bring trade, travel and socio-economic uplift for the residents of FATA.
Other roads include; The 148 km Wana-Razmak-MiranShah Road a lateral connecting the headquarters of South and North Waziristan Agencies, the Tank-Jandola-Makeen (Razmak) Road (110 km) which includes tunnels at Jandola and Ahmedwam and eight bridges over the Tank River and its various tributaries. The 45 km Ghallanai-Mohmand Ghat Road in Mohmand Agency that includes a 1 km long Nahaki Tunnel, the dualization of the historic Peshawar-Torkham Road (47 km) and the 35 km Mir Khani-Arandu Road in the adjacent Chitral District.
Balochistan No More Isolated Balochistan is the current challenge. FWO has carried out development work throughout the province, the most prominent being the Makran Coastal Highway which opened up the 900 km Balochistan Coastal Belt and paved way for developing of Gwadar Deep Sea Port. But that was just a start. The operationalization and viability of Gwadar Port needed it to be connected with Quetta and Indus Highway and currently both these roads are being constructed with a great speed.
Construction of 448 km long Sorab-Panjgur-Hoshab Road (N-85) will connect Quetta with Gwadar Port through N-25 and M-8 forming the Western Route of the China-Pak Economic Corridor. Work started on this project during September 2007, but was suspended in January 2009 due to lack of finances. FWO resumed the work during January 2014 and mobilized its resources at 14 locations to complete the project within stipulated timeline. Construction of road in this area was a big challenge due to harsh terrain and security hazards. 16 members of FWO family have embraced Shahadat and 48 have been injured in the line of duty. Efforts are in hand to complete the project by the end of next year.
The Kalat-Quetta-Chaman Road Project (N-25, 230 km) road leads from Kalat and goes right upto Chaman at the Pak-Afghan Border. The road is divided into four sections of which Sections 1 & 3 have been completed while Section 2 Khad Koocha to Quetta (54 km) and Section 4 Jungle Piralizai to Chaman (57 km) are being completed by FWO. Also known as RCD Highway, this road constitutes the shortest access from Karachi to Kabul. FWO is determined to complete this project within shortest possible time despite law and order situation.
FWO has taken over left over works of Gwadar-Turbat-Hoshab Motorway (M-8) which is a vital link between Gwadar and Indus Highway. Construction of M-8, N-85 and N-25 will eventually link Gwadar with Quetta on one axis and with Indus Highway on the other axis through Khuzdar and Ratodero section (243 km). Due to hostile security environment no other contractor was willing to work on M-8, but FWO accepted the challenge in view of strategic importance of this road. The road constitutes part of Western Route of China-Pak Economic Corridor (CPEC) and is scheduled to be completed by end of this year.
Rehabilitation and Modernization of Motorways The Lahore-lslamabad Motorway (M-2) was ranked amongst the finest road links of Asia after its completion in 1998. The rehabilitation of this 16 year old M-2 was long overdue and the project for the overlay and modernization of M2 was awarded to FWO by NHA on Built Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis through open bidding. The project was inaugurated by Prime Minister of Pakistan on 15 December 2014. FWO is converting M-2 into a world class motorway conforming to the highest standards and will maintain and operate M2 in line with international practices for the next twenty years.
Conversion of existing 4 Lane Super Highway into a 6 Lane Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway (M9) has also been entrusted to FWO on BOT basis, by National Highway Authority (NHA). A consortium of banks provided the finances for the project. FWO will maintain and operate the Motorway in line with International practices over the next twenty five years. The project was inaugurated by Prime Minister on 11 Mar 2015. All initiatives planned for M-2 shall also be extended to M-9.
The Karachi-Thatta Dual Carriageway is sponsored by the Government of Sindh on design, finance, build, operate and transfer basis by FWO. Under the project the 49 km long road will be completed in 2 years, the concession period for the project is 27 years including construction period.
The Modernization and Economic Development Plan envisages development by creating world class infrastructure facilities and development activities along the Motorways. Smart Cities, Oil City, Fuel Village, Modern Service Areas, Industrial Zones, Bonded Warehouses and Container Terminals, Dry Ports and Thermal Power Plants are some of the planned economic development initiatives. From the commuters facilitation / convenience perspective, few planned initiatives include modernization of Service Areas, development of Safari and Theme Parks, upgradation and modification of Petrol Pumps, Horticulture and Insurance for commuters etc.
Besides the above mentioned projects FWO is accomplishing landmark projects all over Pakistan and abroad. The Torkham-Jalalabad Highway in Afghanistan was built by FWO some years back and now the additional carriageway is also being constructed. The recently opened office at UAE has started the construction ventures and is set to expand its operation in different types of construction activities.
The mighty River Indus has been bridged to link Rahim Yar Khan with Rajan Pur the project will also provide convenient access to the Dera Bugti and Kohlu districts of Balochistan. Another project benefitting Balochistan is the 64 km Wagum-Rud-Khajuri section of the Dera Ismail Khan - Loralai link which facilitates access to Balochistan from Punjab and Khyber Pukhtunkhwa. The Jalkhad-Chilas Road will provide a shorter access to Gilgit by passing through the scenic Kaghan Valley whereas the Kasur-Depalpur Road will open up the border belt of Punjab towards development. The Lyari Expressway at Karachi, the country wide Fibre Optics Connectivity and the construction of New Benazir Bhutto International Airport at Islamabad are some of the landmark projects currently managed by FWO.