Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif speaking at a press conference in Karachi on August 1, 2013. PHOTO: EXPRESS
KARACHI: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has announced a six-lane motorway to be built from Karachi to Lahore. The announcement was made at a press conference in Karachi.
The prime minister signed MoU’s pertaining to the billion dollar project with China on his visit to the neighbouring country last month.
Nawaz Sharif arrived in Karachi for a one-day visit of the metropolis on Thursday, Express News reported on Thursday.
Nawaz Sharif stated that the Gadani power project in Balochistan would be completed soon. He also said that China had also confirmed four projects in Gadani.
The prime minister said that the new government had started working on the new energy policy soon after taking office. The total energy shortfall had come down to 3,000 megawatts.
He said that the government was not to only trying to bridge the gap between supply and demand, but was trying to surpass demand. The country should be thinking about the next 25 years, instead of the next 5 years, he said.
An economic corridor from Gwadar to the Pak-China border has also been planned, he said. The economic corridor plan including road, highway and railway would benefit several provinces including Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwah.
Prime Minister's visit to Karachi
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif arrived in Karachi for a one-day visit of the metropolis, Express News reported on Thursday.
The premier - flanked by his party leaders, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan and Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah - visited Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s mausoleum.
Nawaz was here to deal with a range of issues including internal party matters and the city's law and order situation.
This was his first tour of the city since taking office in June. The one-day tour was earlier scheduled for July 31.
The recent visit of a PML-N delegation, led by Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, to the MQM headquarters Nine Zero has sparked a debate within the PML-N’s provincial leadership.
The PML-N leadership in Sindh had expressed its reservations over a possible alliance of their party with the MQM, sources said.
COMMENTS (52)
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@Umer: grow up, you lot never take anything positively, do you!!
Mr. Shareef should have done it in his first Government, instead of P.M House (Islamabad) to Jaati Umra Raiwind (Lahore) Motorway, as it serves no purpose as economical or trade n commerce point of view, but rather feels like facilitating and decreasing distance from thier Raiwind Palace to P.M. House Islamabad. But if finally, Mr.Shareef has realised that Karachi-Lahore Motorway is a need then we should really appreciate his Shareefana stand. Keep it up Mr. Shareef.
The wavered comments of PTI supporters prove that they are burger kids, totally ignorant of the needs of masses.
The kid in all of us and its obsession with roads ... oh wait , the kid in many of us is hungry , jobless and under constant fear . But alas , no problem , let the kid in elites play more , we will grow beard and wait for Qiyamat.
@afzal: My friend that is the reason I use term 80%. Now if you read all comment, conclusion will be same 80%. I am happy that you might be in that 20% elite class of minority. Singh
@ Tribune editors...plz take note of indians here disguising as Pakistanis just to spread there vilified agenda.... @Umer ..i think u need a little knowledge about Pakistan...as road from Karachi to Lahore will automatically connect with Peshawer....:)...Umer the indian..if u have to disguise plz do it cleverly....
@Singh Buddy please don't take us for granted. We do understand GDP, Public sector expenditure fiscal and current account deficit and monetary policy.
Buddy we also know that Japan and China are spending billions to prevent their economies from going into recession.
Buddy we do appreciate these basic concepts of economics
Buddy as this say "A little Knowledge is a Dangerous Thing"
One needs to dwell deeply into merits of the projects and policies when resources are very scarce (I think I do not need to explain in detail that America can borrow unlimited thanks to its demand of Treasury Bills and both Japan and China run huge trade surplus)
So Pakistan needs to employ its limited resources in the most efficient ways and there will always be a healthy debate on the projects which are essential or which does not carry significance. Hence some people may not like the motorway project and others would like to have Karachi Mass Transit to be implemented immediately which can really turn around the economy of one of the largest city in the world and the economy of the whole country. (esp when USD 2.0 bln loan for the project is already approved by Japanese Bank all it needs is a political will to implement it).
@Shahid: "....What about the mass transit program in Karachi which the japanese govt offered to fully finace but both federal and sindh govt are not paying any attention to it waiting the japanese offer to be withdrwan, another example of karachi hatred." . I give you that Karachiites may have some genuine reason to complain about the Federal Government's less than desired interest in the affairs of the ex-capital. Calling it hatred is probably an exaggeration. There of course is the political aspect i.e. the politicking by the so-called Transport Mafia affects the decision making process. . If a task force, to sort out the most pressing problems of the city and go into action pronto is not set up, the already deteriorating situation may cause further implosions having dire effects, not just for the city but reverberations would be felt through out the country. . The number of hours wasted every day by an average commuter sitting in a car moving, if at all, at a snail's pace on the existing network of roads and by lanes of the humongous urban entity, can be eased off considerably if a mass transit system is introduced.. .
Where is the petrol going to come from to commute on this motorway? How about a mass transit system within Karachi whihc reduces traffic and consumption of unavailable energy? What good will the corridor in Gwadar do when the terrorists will keep attacking all key installations?
After Traveling from Karachi to Haripur I can imagine how inportent these highways are and hope mian ji will do it may god bless mian sahib.
After reading comments above you can imagine what a pathetic education system is in Pakistan. 80% people does not understand value of Infrastructure building is. It is to spur economy by generating employment, increase mobility, savings million of man power hour & benefits are countless. Here in US, President tackle economic meltdown by investing heavily into infrastructure. or may start reading economics too to get wider prospective. MR. NS is doing perfectly right thing to spur economic growth. Singh ET Mod you can censor it if you don't like this comment.
Truly mass transit has become critical for 20MM people of Karachi. The Japanese government aid is pending for more than 5 years now. Sindh and Federal government continue on endless feasibility study.
It is imperative that this project is launched before undertaking any other scheme. Karachi is the only city in the world compare to its size and population that does not have a transit railways system.
6 Lanes on paper but will really be 8 Lanes in reality keeping Pakistani traffic in mind
Am i right? :P
Roads are like arteries of a country without which a country can't economically prosper. Regardless of who is initiating Karachi/Lahore motorway, it is going to be an economic boom for the country. All the cities/villages this motorway is going to pass through will get benefit from it. That will increase country's GDP and thus translate into benefit for everyone of us. Those who are suggesting a caution for corruption are correct but those who are criticizing the project are against economic development in the country.
Most of the bloggers here are like nightly TV shows where anchors/guests are shooting from their hip without knowing their subject. Please refrain from doing so as it doesn't help the cause. We as a nation have to move forward and if someone has a better idea to do things then put it on the table, otherwise let other person do what he/she is planning on doing. It may be that they know something that we don't know.
What about the mass transit program in Karachi which the japanese govt offered to fully finace but both federal and sindh govt are not paying any attention to it waiting the japanese offer to be withdrwan, another example of karachi hatred.
If one has to understand why Pakistan is in such deep troubles one should just look at the immaturity of comments here. I am amazed how cynical and pessimistic we have all become. We believe everything is a conspiracy even building a damn road which is a bare min requirement to get education and health services to all regions.
Along with building M-ways, its also utmost necessary to provide public transport facilities from Peshawar>Karachi. The Railways should be overhauled. It will greatly help to minimise transportation costs and environmental benefits
Nawaz sharif announce karachi hyderabad motorway in 1998.. then Mushraf annouce same.. and we still have a bumpy highway from karachi to hyderabad... chill
Folks, we must look at the proposal positively. Besides a seventh (kachcha) lane will be added. The extra lane will facilitate Karachi public to fetch water all the way from Lahore. (While in LHR, they can charge their mobiles as well.) . Thank you Sher Shah the II, for coming up with this brilliant idea of Grand Trunk Road oh, I meant the Grand Matka Walkway. You will always be remembered for that.
@jibran: Not only does Nawaz Sharif have vision but he gets things done. Have you ever seen the existing motorways made by Nawaz Sharif? This is the difference between PML N and other parties. At least they get things done. We know that all 3 rd World countries, Pakistan included have corruption because people themselves are corrupt but at least Nawaz Sharif is trying to imporve things and he has shown this in the past. People who criticise for the sake of criticising will never change.
This man wants to build Pakistan while the other (IK) wants to blow up Pakistan both claim to be patriot.
But he never talked about this in pre-election speeches.All were about bullet train and metro buses.
I sincerely believe if anyone can turn around the fortunes of this nation, its this man, Nawaz Sharif!
Why everybody is crying now? This is the difference between a leader and shair ki khal mein leader lol.. They gonna build airports in every city, bullet train, motorway and dont know what else, even everyday people are dying in my beloved country because food, drinking water, floods, list goes and goes..
This is an excellent decision of the PMLN government. The Motorways project was initiated in Pakistan by Mian Nawaz Sharif in 1992 and as a first step, Islamabad to Lahore Motorway (M-2) was constructed. This project was abandoned by PPP govt in 1993-96. During the second tenure of PMLN, Motorway project was re-initiated and work on Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway (M-1) was started. The military government of dictator Musharraf did not do much to increase the Motorways network except to borrow US$ 500Million by mortgaging the M-2 in 2005. Today millions of motorists use Motorways between Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar and the transport sector flourishes causing employment opportunities for thousands of people. Mian Nawaz Sharif is rightly called Sher Shah Suri of modern-day Pakistan.
Whether its a positive or a negative, I am not sure, but NS has started to give a feel good effect. He is doing work rather than crying like IK. Still, I am against his negligent ways when dealing with extremist elements.
I hope this motorway will bring people of Pakistan closer to each other and it will definitely create jobs in the short term which will bring prosperity for poor.
what a joke, I was waiting for bullet train!!
How about Karachi to Peshawar or Karachi to Quetta if the projects are not there just to benefit Lahore?
Come on Mr Mughal e Azam, don't waste Pakistani revenue on your show piece projects. do something seriously to curb militancy and reduce inflation which your Royal Finance minister is multiplying with each passing day.
Wonder how much he's going to make on this one? Atleat 5 times the length of Lahore- Islamabad!
@jibran: Do you live in Pakistan or not?. Lahore to Islamabad Motorway is already there for your kind information and Lahore-Multan Motorway project is already in Progress and this motorway will basically connect Karachi with Multan-Lahore Motorway and ultimately it means that from Karachi to Peshwar motorway project will complete.
@Umer I could only laugh at your comments. I think even when you sneeze you blame the Bacteria from Lahore, Punjab and Punjabis to infiltrate your body.
@jibran FYI Islamabad-Lahore-Peshawar have already been linked through M1 & M2. Please do not criticize for criticism's sake.
Soon, Chinese will be all over Pakistan. Chinese brings in their own labor for all their projects instead of employing local people, e.g., Africa.
Please do some research/reading before starting to shout.
Would really love this guy if this happened......... Would love to be able to travel Pakistan relatively safe and efficiently....... best of luck.
Atleast NS has vision. These projects will create job opportunities , easy access to punjab and Sindh, more people to people contact, small-mid-large size businesses opportunities, increased platforms for entrepreneurs, time will be saved, labor force will get more opportunities in these projects, because they are more exposed to crimes if not included in country's overall economy.
people say build nation not roads, but we all appreciate this project while travelling through these moterways from Peshawar to Isbd and ISbd to Lahore.
As a nation we should start Learning to enjoy and appreciate things instead of showing thankless attitude.
@Aftab Nabi: Building the nation means building and improving infrastructure. Why do you think the world is positive on Pakistan's economy now? The last time he was in power, he started the motorways which are the envy of the region. He is taking steps in the right direction.
Why karachi to lahore? Has NHA done any feasibility study? Why not to islamabad like a backbone, and then link highways can be built connecting other cities? May be Mian Mansha asked you construct it to ship his goods fast.
Mega projects means mega corruption, mega commissions, mega contracts for the front companies of the ruling party.
Cant these two brothers go beyond roads?Education, technology, justice, police, law and order. Like seriously?
Chota bahi sarak banae, Bahra bahi sarak banae ..... profit first priority not public ..... most of the population cant afford cars/hybrids yet alone to feed their families 3 times a day .... wasting money which can be spent better
PM build the nation, not the roads!
Is he serious??? Where is he going to bring all the money for all project that he is announcing every day????
He is most probably fooling people as he did in the past. Most of his projects and Benazir projects were completed by Military in Musharraf era except for Lahore-ISB Motorway.
This is only for Punjab and more specifically Lahore who need to export/import their goods and also travel to Karachi for jobs. These projects will use revenue from Sindh but for Sindh and Karachi they will only add more burden on traffic and add to the pollution.
As MQM is in Government , So there is no security risk to PM
no more fooling its 21st century not 1990s
Chatte Batte Aik Hi Thaili Ke Hain Sahu-Kari, Biswah Dari, Saltanat ((Bang-e-Dra-197)
Announce giving all your wealth to Pakistan;
before to built ANY thing handle the militancy first. Try to understand the call of the time .it is already tooooooooooo late
Damage control after the mess Dar created
Best of Luck Mr. PM.
What took you so long Mr PM ?