Ayub calls for swift implementation of schemes

Meets World Bank team, stresses need for better service delivery

ISLAMABAD:

All foreign-funded projects should be implemented in an expeditious manner and there is a need to enhance their service delivery, said Minister for Economic Affairs Omar Ayub Khan.

He was speaking to a delegation of the World Bank on Friday, which was led by Country Director for Pakistan Najy Benhassine.

During the meeting, special attention was paid to projects related to the energy sector including the National Transmission Modernisation Project, Tarbela Fourth Extension Hydropower Project and Dasu Hydropower (Stage 1) Project.

The minister called for expediting the implementation of Islamabad West Sub-station project, which was an important link to transmit power from the Dasu Hydropower Project.

It was noted that new security arrangements had been put in place and overall progress on the Dasu Hydropower Project had improved as 11 major contracts, amounting to $3 billion, had been awarded including the electro-mechanical works.

Other projects including Pakistan housing finance (additional financing), Resilient Institutions for Sustainable Economy (RISE-II), National Health Support Programme and Programme for Affordable and Clean Energy (PACE-II) were also discussed in the meeting.

Khan directed Economic Affairs Division officials to set up a project management unit with the assistance of World Bank and Asian Development Bank for effective and efficient monitoring of development projects.

The minister emphasised the need for designing a programme to track the outcome of ongoing projects.

He directed the relevant authorities to identify the critical path and set timelines for expeditious implementation of all foreign-funded projects.

The World Bank team told the minister that the National Immunisation Support Project was heading towards successful completion in June 2022.

Speaking on the occasion, World Bank Country Director for Pakistan Najy Benhassine highlighted the 54 projects that were being implemented across the country with World Bank’s financing worth $12.4 billion.

He said that out of the 54 projects, 23 were being developed by the federal government at a cost of $7.8 billion. He noted that $3.4 billion had been disbursed so far.