Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday directed the federal government authorities to expedite Rs 162 billion development package announced by the federal government for Karachi, while reviewing a host of mega projects concerning the cosmopolitan.
The decision was taken in a high-level meeting he chaired. Governor Sindh Imran Ismail, Planning Minister Asad Umar, Maritime Affairs Minister Ali Zaidi and other senior officials including federal and provincial secretaries concerned attended the meeting.
According to a press release issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the PM was given a detailed briefing on the Rs 162 billion development package announced by the federal government for Karachi's development.
A government source told Business Recorder that the PM, following the briefing, directed to expedite the development projects being executed under the development package and ensure that the outstanding payments to the federal authorities regarding development projects are cleared in the ongoing fiscal year 2019-2020.
"The PM is of the view that before this fiscal year ends on June 30 and funds get lapsed, the funds should be released for the federal government projects in Karachi," the source said, on the condition of anonymity. The PMO statement said the meeting reviewed the development projects completed so far, to be completed by June 2020, and the launch of new projects under private-public partnership.
The meeting was informed that Sakhi Hassan, Five Star and KDA flyovers, 6.4 kilometres Nishtar Road and a portion of Manghopir Road have been completed in Karachi, the statement said. The meeting was also informed that Green Line Bus Rapid Transit System's infrastructure would be completed by March 2021.
Moreover, 95 per cent work has been done on the 66 inch water supply line from Banaras to Jam Chakro, while the remaining work would be completed in April this year.
More than Rs 1 billion have so far been spent on the Karachi Municipal Corporation Fire Fighting System and 50 fire fighting tenders would be included in the system under this project, the meeting was informed. The construction of Jinnah Avenue Flyover, up-gradation of Lyari Expressway, expansion of Karachi Northern Bypass, and several other projects were discussed in the meeting, the PMO statement said.
The PM also directed to improve sewerage standards in Karachi to respond to water pollution and water-related problems, it added. "Karachi's progress is the progress of Pakistan. We are fully cognizant of the developmental needs of the country's financial hub and the problems being faced by the people of Karachi. In this regard, the federal government is making all out efforts to address the issues concerning Karachi," PM was quoted as saying in the meeting.
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