Planning Commission has already released Rs2.45 billion in funding and initial work on the roads has been initiated by NLC. PHOTO: EXPRESS/ FILE
Despite a ban imposed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on the diversion of funds to various development schemes, the government is making moves to approve two projects at revised costs, which had earlier been included in the national development plan by bending the rules.
The government will have to rush to address the outstanding issues in the execution of two road schemes, said sources in the Planning Commission. While referring to the development project, which has been approved by Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, sources revealed that irregularities could delay the projects once the prime minister leaves office.
Under the schemes, the road between Mandra and Chakwal Road (64-kilometre patch) and Sohawa to Chakwal Road (70km) will be made into a dual-carriageway. Sources added that the projects were a result of the addition of Gujar Khan, the premier’s hometown, in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2012-13 after he assumed office in 2012.
The government had awarded both contracts to the National Logistic Cell (NLC), by showing less than the actual cost in the original PC-I. Therefore, the projects will now require re-approval of the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) with revised costs, sources said.
Against initial cost of Rs2.7 billion for the Mandra-Chakwal road, the NLC is now demanding Rs4.5 billion – an increase of 68.2%. Similarly, the revised cost for the Sohawa-Chakwal road has now reached Rs4.9 billion against initial estimates of Rs3.3 billion.
The magnitude of increase in project costs, approximately Rs.3.5 billion, in just two schemes demonstrates lack of planning in politically motivated projects being undertaken by the government. If the two projects with revised costs are approved, the government will have to divert funding from existing projects to meet the additional Rs3.5 billion requirement. This will result in a direct violation of the existing ECP ban on diversion of funds. Earlier, similar diversion of Rs15 billion from ongoing projects towards the PM’s discretionary fund had compelled the ECP to impose the ban.
One of the first orders issued by newly appointed Secretary Planning and Development Hasan Nawaz Tarar has been to try and call a meeting of the CDWP to approve the two stalled schemes at revised costs.
Sources reveal that Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Dr Nadeem ul Haque has refused to chair the meeting in light of the ECP ban on new schemes. They say that immense pressure is being exerted by the PM’s office in this regard and Planning Commission officials are looking at possibilities of holding the CDWP meeting without Haque.
When contacted, spokesperson for the Planning Commission Rizwan Malik confirmed that a meeting of CDWP was under consideration. He added that a decision was pending subject to further clarity from concerned authorities, assuring that ECP directives would be honoured.
Despite the serious concerns and objections surrounding the two schemes, the Planning Commission has already released Rs2.45 billion in funding and initial work on the roads has been initiated by NLC.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 13th, 2013.
COMMENTS (14)
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@Go Zardari Go!!: Other than Rawalpindi the whole Potohar is nowhere in development. Sir you will not understand the sentiment of the public on the ground and you are an Urban lad i think. I am pretty much against PPP but other than Rawalpindi kindly someday visit any part of Potohar and Mianwali and I am assuring you that you will be totally astonished that what is going on. Do you know most of these parts dont have Any Gas and even in this modern age you will find many who never saw any electricity. More than 80 percent of the people lack water to drink and there is no Irrigation system in this arid land at all. Poverty is so acute that you cannot imagine and PMLN have taken this region for granted as foot soldiers of PMLN every time without any development. Just visit Kalar Kahar region where people are dying of TB because of more than 5 cement companies and ICI establishment and despite repeated attempts of locals to approach PMLN members they are not in any mood to listen. Kindly try to understand the ground realities. The non Urban land of Punjab lacks development and any small development can win votes for PPP. The recent Lahore metro project have increased sense of deprivation and believe me PMLN will be dented this time in the rest of Punjab. Last but not least do you do you know there are many voices in this region who are Talking about starting a movement of Potohar-Hazara Province which will comprise Khushab, Mianawali , Potohar and Hazara regions and there is some problem in this land that people are unhappy and talking like that.
@Shaami.. LoL
where is the independent ECP.?
First it was helipad and now this. Next a sea port?
@Shaami: yes the PPP was targeting people like you, forget what we did the last 5 years look what we are doing now. Congrats you are part of the problem of pakistan
@Hasan Awan: I don't think that the Punjab provincial government is against anything which benefits the people of the region. That is the difference between the governance of Punjab and other provinces and why Punjab remains stable and developing. As for development in Potohar, who can dispute that the new Rawalpindi Cardiac Hospital will be of great benefit to local people and neighbouring provinces as well.
Only the people of Lahore and Shahbaz Sharif will be against this project otherwise just ask any local person and they are all happy with this project. More than 2 million people live around this belt and now all will get benefits from this project.
And it's ECP's in action on these activities that has many political parties frustrated with our CE. Fakhru Bhai has received enough pats on the back and encouragement, now time to walk the walk. Take some action!
Mandra and Chakwal Road (64-kilometre patch) and Sohawa to Chakwal Road (70km) dual carriage way is a very appreciative project and hundreds of thousands of commuters will benefit from it. It is much better than Lahore Metro of only 27 Kilometers costing well above 30 billion rupees. Since my childhood i traveled on those roads and we got tons of problems and whatever the people will say but it is PPP who take that step to widen that road and locals are greatly appreciating that project. People coming from Mianwali, MusaKhel and Khushab will benefit from this project as well in the past because of this road patch many people got problems and now these problems will be resolved now.
As long as its benefiting the common man of Gujjar Khan, i have no complaints
I thought intercity roads within a province fall under provincial jurisdiction. Either way this can be easily called pre-poll rigging, since it is against ECP rules.
Obviously corruption and politically motivated projects, but we must salute NLC for its continued sacrifices for nation building as it yet again is awarded a project without competitive bidding. That is ofcourse not corruption, just nation building!
And then we ask why we are moving back to the stone age? sigh!