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Business Recorder
28-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Quetta-Zhob Road included in PSDP, NA body informed
ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Communications under the Chairmanship of Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani, MNA reviewed the Ministry's responses to previous recommendations, focusing on key infrastructure projects aimed at improving national connectivity and road safety. The NHA informed the Committee that the Quetta-Zhob Road, including the Zhob Bypass, has been included in this year's PSDP. However, due to limited funds, the Loralai Bypass will be considered for inclusion in the next PSDP, in response to the Committee's previous recommendations. The Committee took up Calling Attention Notice No. 21, raised by Syed Waseem Hussain, MNA, and other members of the National Assembly. The Committee reiterated public concerns about the high tolls being charged at several points on the Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway (M-9), emphasizing the necessity for fair tolling and transparent revenue collection. Since the Parliamentary Secretary for Communications was unavailable to attend, the Ministry was asked to submit its response at the next meeting. Furthermore, the Committee asked a detailed report from the National Highway Authority (NHA) for the upcoming session. The Committee was briefed on the progress of the M-6 Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway, a project of considerable strategic and economic significance. The Ministry informed the Committee that the project would be financed through the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), following the approval of the project proposal by the P3A Board and the revised PC-1 by ECNEC. It was noted that Section I (Hyderabad to Tando Adam) and Section II (Tando Adam to Nawabshah) are planned to be developed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Construction work on these two sections is expected to commence by March 2026, contingent upon land acquisition and the availability of funds. Under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), Rs. 34 billion has been demanded as mobilization funding against the total project cost of Rs. 399 billion, with completion targeted within 30 months. The Committee was informed that the Shahdadkot Bypass is scheduled to be included in the PSDP for the next financial year, as the PC-1 was not prepared in time for this year's submission, following the Committee's earlier recommendations. An member, however, pointed out that the project had been part of the 2019 PSDP, implying that the PC-1 must have been prepared at that time. The NHA was instructed to look into the matter and report back at the next meeting. During the briefing on the progress of the Karachi-Northern Bypass (M-10) dualization, the Ministry informed the Committee that the project is being considered as part of the broader M-10 project. The feasibility study has been completed, and it was concluded that the solicited proposal was not viable; therefore, that option has been dropped. The NHA now plans to construct a new motorway starting from Karachi Port to Hyderabad, extending towards Sukkur, as the existing M-9 does not meet the technical standards of a motorway and is classified as an expressway. The Committee asked the Ministry to provide detailed information on toll collection, including its utilization, the routine and route-wise maintenance mechanisms, as well as the allocation and utilization of funds for regional maintenance. Committee asked the Ministry to present an update on the Khanozai-Kuchlak road project, along with all relevant details, in the next meeting. Additionally, the Committee emphasized that the meetings of the Standing Committee should be attended by NHA Members from all provinces, with particular emphasis on representation from Balochistan and Sindh. A report detailing the repair and maintenance work carried out on the previously identified toll plazas, along with the complete repair and maintenance policy, is to be submitted at the next meeting. The NHA's deputation policy, along with an updated list of deputationists, is to be submitted at the next meeting. The Ministry was asked to provide a clear timeline for the completion of the Ranipur-Moro project, along with all relevant details, in the next meeting. The meeting was attended by the members of the Standing Committee, including Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan Nasar, Haji Jamal Shah Kakar, Akhtar Bibi, Dr. Darshan, Mir Shabbir Ali Bijarani, Nazir Ahmed Bhugio, Mehboob Shah, Abdul Latif, Ramesh Lal, Fiaz Hussain, Muhammad Usman Badini, and Hameed Hussain, all MNAs. In addition, Syed Waseem Hussain, MNA and the mover of the Calling Attention Notice, also participated in the meeting. Senior officials from the Ministry of Communications, along with representatives from its affiliated departments, were also present at the meeting. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
IWT suspension: NA condemns India's unilateral decision
ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Thursday, unanimously, passed a resolution strongly condemning India's unilateral decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), terming it a blatant violation of international law and an act of war. Federal Minister for Water Resources Muhammad Mueen Wattoo presented the resolution in the House. The House, unanimously, passed the resolution. The resolution urged the government to take immediate diplomatic and legal steps against India's 'unlawful and unilateral declaration' to hold the decades-old water-sharing agreement in abeyance. 'This House is of the opinion that the government should take immediate steps to condemn India's unlawful and unilateral declaration to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance in blatant violation of the Treaty, which clearly amounts to an act of war,' the resolution stated. Lawmakers from opposition and treasury benches expressed their similar sentiments on the issue of water. Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani condemned the move and directly accused Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi of pursuing a hostile agenda. He warned that any attempt to stop Pakistan's water supply amounted to a declaration of war and would not be tolerated. Earlier, during the question hour session of the National Assembly, the Ministry of the Interior submitted a reply to a question that as part of the campaign against electricity theft, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has conducted 14,859 raids since March 16, 2024. So far, 1,350 inquiries and 1,836 cases have been registered. This has resulted in the arrest of 971 suspects and the recovery of over four billion rupees, he said. He said that investigations of electricity distribution companies have revealed that, since April 1, 2024, 1389 officers and officials have been found involved in corruption. As part of the effort to stamp the issue out at the roots, 736 inquiries and 193 cases have been registered which have resulted in 261 arrests, he said. Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry told the House during question hour that the appointment of the director general of National Cyber Crime Investigation Authority in dealing with cybercrime related incidents has been made. He said about 500 employees are currently working in it and a proposal has been moved to recruit more people in it. Responding to a point of order raised by Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi said concrete steps are being taken to reclaim encroached railway land across the country. He said the government is actively pursuing the revival of old railway routes, particularly Rawalpindi-Chakwal Line saying this will also help promote tourism. The National Assembly was informed that 39 cases of intending Hajj pilgrims who were unable to perform the pilgrimage due to illness have been accommodated by replacing them with other willing individuals. Parliamentary Secretary for Religious Affairs Shamsher Ali Mazari responded to a calling attention notice raised by MNA Shagufta Jumani and others regarding alleged injustices faced by pilgrims and their replacements. Mazari stated that all 39 cases were resolved on the basis of blood relations, ensuring that the replacements were close family members. However, Jumani claimed that in such cases, additional charges of up to PKR 700,000 were being demanded from pilgrims. Responding to supplementary questions, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said the government was ready to assist any other sick pilgrims who may need support. He emphasised that food arrangements for Pakistani pilgrims followed a merit-based system in accordance with Saudi laws. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
07-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Ministry failed to provide PSDP for next fiscal
The Standing Committee on Communications on Thursday reviewed the PSDP schemes for the upcoming financial year 2025-26. Met under the chairmanship of Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani, the Ministry of Communications said that the preparation process is currently underway. The committee expressed dissatisfaction, emphasizing that despite repeated recommendations in the last three meetings, the ministry had not expedited the process or coordinated with relevant Ministries for timely submission.
