The federal government has approved about Rs30 billion worth of new projects including the construction of a campus of University of Engineering and Technology Lahore at Narowal – the constituency of Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal.
The projects were approved by the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) — the body having the mandate to approve a scheme up to Rs3 billion and chaired by Iqbal in his capacity as deputy chairman of the planning commission. The UET Narowal campus will cost Rs2.9 billion, according to the Planning Ministry.
However, the Rs72.6 billion development package of Pakistan Railways could not be approved as the meeting was called off before the scheduled time, according to officials. The Rs52-billion project was proposed to rehabilitate and upgrade 400 coaches. Another scheme of Rs18.5 billion, proposed to replace old and obsolete gear of Railways from Lahore to Multan, was not taken up for discussion. The third project was aimed at manufacturing five 3,000-horsepower diesel electric locomotives at a cost of Rs2.3 billion.
The CDWP approved strengthening of the Kohat University of Science and Technology at a revised cost of Rs599.8 million. The project is a step forward in that direction that envisages strengthening research and development through establishing basic infrastructural facilities.
The body also approved strengthening of research programmes at HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry, Karachi with an estimated cost of Rs591.7 million. The main objective of this scheme is to acquire the indigenous capacity for the development of diagnostic, preventive and therapeutic agents against hepatitis, tuberculosis, malaria, leishmania and prevailing tropical diseases.
The CDWP approved strengthening of the Khyber Medical University Peshawar at a cost of Rs983.2 million in a bid to conduct basic research to look into causes of diabetes, hepatitis and its spread. It also approved establishment of headquarters for Nust and hi-tech postgraduate science and technology institutes at Islamabad at a cost of Rs2.5 billion.
In the energy sector, the CDWP approved extension and augmentation of 500/220kv Rewat substations. The main objective of the project is enhancement in the 220/132kv transformation capacity at the 500kv Rewat substation, costing Rs1.9 billion.
For the Physical Planning and Housing sector, the CDWP approved construction of residential buildings for Force HQ GB Scouts and 113 Wing at Gilgit at a cost of Rs216.9 million. Another project of construction of accommodation flats for officers of GB Scouts Gilgit at a cost of Rs112.5 million was accepted.
The CDWP agreed construction of Federal Judicial Academy at a cost of Rs1.3 billion. The present building comprises of limited facilities for the Centre of Excellence, therefore the project was initiated to augment existing facilities.
The body also approved strengthening of existing departments at the Islamia University of Bahawalpur at a cost of Rs862.9 million.
In the water resources sector, a project for construction of small storage dams, delay action dams, retention weirs and flood diversion was also approved at Rs911.3 million. The construction of two recharge dams in Malir Bakhshan and Ran Pathani, Lower Division Kohistan was accepted at cost of Rs876.5 million. Both projects will be implemented in the most vulnerable and drought affected areas of Thar and Kohistan regions of the Sindh province.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 25th, 2014.
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COMMENTS (13)
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@Sara: Why investing for UET campus in Narowal. All surgical, cutlery, agricultural machinery and industrial goods are being produced in Wazirabad, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Daska and Sialkot. The best investment place in this regard lies in between these cities which is approachable to these skilled people. I hope you are well aware of geographical location of Narowal.
Further there is already a sub campus of UET exist at Kala Shah Kaku motorway bypass which is near to Narowal.
@Sara: Ma'am, I am not anybody freak. I simply refer to the confession of a minister in his own words. Just google "Rana Sanaullah Disclosed That Every MNA, MPA Gets 16% Commission in Each Development Project". Further, in due respect I admit that I am ignorant.
@Roadkashehzada: Which infrastructure/ Metro Buses. Sorry you need energy projects and that too not like the Nandipur types. Cheap energy is the only solution or the economy is going down the drain.
@Z: You do not know a thing about how the government works. The projects that are of higher education are Provincial projects which have to be cleared by the Federal government because it is the Federal government which provides resources according to the NFC from the divisible pool.
@ raja Bro how jobs can be created without investment and infrastructure
@Juanid .... you're a a funny chap...your ignorance shows you're from PTI ... isn't it :) ?
According to former minister Rana Sanaullah, all MPAs & MNAs got 16% from constructor as their commission. Can someone calculate for me the amount of MPA and MNA share?
@Zahid: Its not about complaining its about priorities! In a country were people are suffering form hunger and and ignorance should be looking to cope for job creation & education rather than providing the luxurious infrastructure to the upper middle class.
For those complaining about PMLN government not doing anything about dams, please note the government has recently approved allocation for Diamer Basha and Dasu dams in addition to 100 delay/recharge dams being initiated across the country to bring more and more area under irrigation. Long live PMLN
Good initiatives across the country without discrimination by the PMLN government which it is frequently blamed for. Need of the hour is a multi pronged strategy to increase literacy rate and create employment which will help eradicate many of the ills being faced by us today. I am glad that PMLN is investing in universities and infrastructure. Go Imran Go
first build some dams..so these infrastructures will not get ruined next time soon......
I am sure PTI will have issues with all of these. There are very few places in the world where people would complain about infrastructure projects such as the Metro project, except in Pakistan due to the fake propaganda of PTI.