Govt withdraws funds for uplift schemes in Pindi

In light of the instructions issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan, the Punjab government has immediately withdrawn the funds for the ongoing development schemes along with the newly proposed projects in all districts including Rawalpindi, stalling further progress on them.

Sources said the accounts offices of all the districts have also been intimated in this regard not to release funds in respect of these projects.

On the other hand, it has been decided to release funds for three long-pending mega projects in Rawalpindi, the twin city of the federal capital.

According to sources, the Planning and Development Department (PND) has sought recommendations from the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) for the release of funds for the three mega projects of Rawalpindi.

The recommendations have been sought for the release of funds for third-party validation of the Ring Road project and redesigning and expansion of the Katchehri Chowk and Defence Chowk Underpasses.

It should be noted that before the progress of work on the Rawalpindi Ring Road project funds will be mobilised for third-party validation, land acquisition and project management unit of the project for which the RDA will send its recommendation to the PND.

The contract of this project was awarded to the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) for Rs22.8 during the previous regime and under which a 38.8-km route from Rawat, GT Road to Thalian Motorway Interchange was to be constructed.

The instructions to get the third-party validation conducted before further development on the Rawalpindi Ring Road project have been issued by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

A recommendation is being sent by the RDA on the directives of the PND for the release of funds for the underpasses, redesigning and expansion project at the Katchehri Chowk, Rawalpindi at an estimated cost of Rs6 billion so that the contract for this most significant project can be awarded on government-to-government the basis.

With the completion of this project, the traffic coming from the city, cantonment, VIP route and from the Lahore side will be able to pass through the chowk without stopping at any traffic signal.

For the third most important Defence Chowk remodelling and expansion project, which will cost Rs750 million, the RDA is to pay 25% of the total cost through the Punjab government while the payment of 75% will be the responsibility of the National Highway Authority (NHA).

Published in The Express Tribune, February 1^st, 2023.