Work on Lahore-Karachi motorway to begin soon: PM
Addressing the annual awards ceremony of National Highways and Motorways Police in Islamabad, Nawaz said more Motorways projects will be initiated in the country.
"The region will become the centre of economic activities due to Pak-China Economic Corridor project," said Nawaz, adding that it is a matter of great pride that the performance of Motorways and Highways police is being appreciated on the international level.
He said many programmes are being implemented from the school level to make the highways safe and to make the public aware in this regard. The PM also said he wants motorway police be more people friendly.
The premier directed for enhancing the efficiency of the organisation and recruitment of staff on need basis in a transparent manner. The prime minister also announced a 20 percent increase in salaries of Motorway police.
Nawaz Sharif also lauded the performance of Inspector General Motorways Police Zulfiqar Cheema.
Inspector General Motorway police Zulfiqar Cheema while highlighting the performance of Motorway Police said the organisation is a role model for other public sector institutions as it has the highest traditions of public service.
COMMENTS (51)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
@Pakistani: to you & those who are in favor of such mega projects...yes! we do need these projects, but priorities need to be re-defined in the face of internal & external threats. Why Baluchistan is being neglected ? whatever Gen M did...it is history, that is why we brought in a civilian govt & what did it do ? agree to make military courts, becasue they all agree that they have failed ( Politician failures + judiciary failures = Military Courts).Is this the solution ? Unless we get the grip of the militancy in Baluchistan & act of terrorism in rest of the country, how safe it will be to travel on these highways...see the conditions of the govt run schools & hospitals. Does it not need to be provided with funds to run it properly....what is the govt doing to broaden the tax base ? Why the provincial govt not taxing the agriculture sector ? why is it not taxing the stock market ? why is it not taxing the real estate sector ? what was the % of un-documented economy during Gen M period & what it is today ? & why has it increased during the past 5 years & 20 month ? each & every one is busy in looting & plundering the nation & people are forced to pay indirect tax...where & in which country pays such big amount of tax through indirect tax...is this not the responsibility of the govt to bring structural changes in the institution, so that the present system is over-hauled...we have proved more than once...we are an emotional nation. We bring in a leader with so much triumph & then get him out with shoes....the state of Pakistan suffers from " denialism", roughly defined as the tendency to reject & replace it with twisted logic - illumati, intel agencies, establishment, America, Jews etc; - so that on individual or collective level we can all absolve ourselves of responsibility for the plight of the blighted nation.... In absence & fear from accountability, we will continue to suffer...& the leaders / politicians / bureaucrats, judges etc; will never have a strong & independent accountability institution...because it will go against their freedom to loot & plunder. This is the reason, we read & see corruption in each & every dept & institution... So, to those friends who are justifying these mega projects to come to Pakistan & try to reason with the poor people who constitute the majority....
I think u all people should consider any body for doing some thing. u guys are all narotic because you will never be happy for what ever the extent of effort there would be. Take it as a begning or a fresh start after a big change over more educated and efficient people will be there to solve ur problems. Be be awar of that ur problems will never end unless u finished your job here in this world. God bless u all
Health education and law and order are provincial subjects and its not Nawaz who is CM. People have learnt how to write abuses in English but beyond that ignorance rules. If Shahbaz sharif builds metro bus its wrong but if imran khan announces to build metro in peshawar its revolution. Allegation of corruption is cheap way of defaming good projects and creating controversy but it will sell as long as imran khan is selling. there is always room for improvement for any government but something is better than nothing.
@Irfan Michael Roy: Of course some people will never understand the importance of infrastructure to improve the economy and kick start progress in the nation. Whether we admit or not, the tax base will not improve with people voluntarily paying taxes. When there is a booming economy with jobs and employment for all, the tax base will widen and people will see also that skills an education will be worthwhile. The rail network is also slated for overall and expansion as part of the infrastructure initiative. People who support PML N voted for them based on their platform to build the economy, create energy and revamp infrastructure. This government is doing what it said it would.
i do not understand nawaz sharif obsession with motorways. when pakistan has the lowest literacy rates poor health facilities and are struggling with electricty and gas load shedding. I understand motorway in nawaz sharif mind will increase transportation of goods from karachi to the north of Pakistan , but this aim could also be achieved by upgrading and reviving the rail net work which has suffered neglect because of government negligence. Improving existing rail net work will not only improve transportation but will also be cheap and environment friendly compared to the cost of building motorway
@Hassan:
Agreed! Than on the same token anything being presented by a journo should be treated as news only and not some gospel act of god.
And please refrain from name calling. I have a got lot in store from where I come from.
Shouldnt complaint about Muslim League and thier passion for Punjab, What has PPP done for us in Sindh, tried to make the National highway with a Malaysian company but screwed them away. PPP is an equal threat as Taliban.
@Adnan Siddiqi: In what part of the world do you think a journalist breaks a news in the Supreme Court instead of his newspaper? Please avoid giving Noora logic..
Great! Now all the major problems such as inflation, poverty, illiteracy, lack of basic medical facilities, shortage of clean drinking water, law n order issues, load shedding etc. will be resolved... in Raiwand at least.
@Pakistani: So you mean to say this motorway will bring a revolution in Pakistan just like the Islamabad-Lahore motorway did? Roads are important but who needs this Karachi-Lahore motorway at the moment? Come on. We all know why these projects are started by PMLN. Why can't we spend money on other projects that have a more direct impact on people's lives? Health, education, security?
@Patriot: Can you please lend us some of your genius for a second and let us know who is responsible for tax collection in the developed countries you mentioned? Also, while we are benefitting from your genius, will you please let us know if any head of the government in these countries is running a business empire in the country and overseas? And one last question if you please, are they facing tax evasion charges themselves and have any of them repaid long overdue tax to an organisation like NAB after criminal charges, in the same way as our pious and honest Sharifs recently did?
@asim elahi: Of course it will help to fix problems in Pakistan by employing people and making transportation that much easier. This in turn will help the economy, improve security, create jobs and prosperity, reduce transportation costs and so much more. Infrastructure is the key to development and Nawaz Sharif is doing exactly what we want why the majority support him. Think about how successful Lahore Islamabad Peshawar or Faisalabad Motorway is.
@H Chaudhry: Mr Chaudhry , let's put. behind all this nonsense about reforms to address myriad of issues this nation faces lets talk about moral reforms. This is within the reach of every individual and doesn't cost a penny . We all talk big because we are so called privileged literates are we that literate in soul and mind , our biggest issue is cleansing ourselves from top to bottom. There is Hadith that says Allah bequeath upon the nation the leaders they deserve. Corrupt nation would be blessed with corrupt leaders and so we have been.
Any economist would tell you that micro reforms are more important than macro reforms. Micro reforms empower people , raises living standard and promote literacy through economic empowerment at grassroots levels. Macro reforms may result in some long term economic activity for nations and kickbacks for corrupt forces but do not improve average living conditions in short terms. Therefore to improve life of average struggling families ,,motorways and metro buses aren't as important as are reforms to create economic sustainability that reaches an average household struggling from economic despair. Motorways and metro buses may benefit a few but economic reforms at grassroot levels would benefit many.
This will solve all problems of Pakistan such as poverty, terrorism and much more. Mian jee kay vision ko salam
@Patriot:
Whose responsibility is it to extend the tax base?
When 95 % of your politicians dont pay tax or either pay much less than what they are supposed to, and the government is not willing to tax its business community vote bank, then the only option left is to borrow or use indirect taxation.
Also, given the level of corruption who would pay taxes?
POEPLE !!!
Motorway = Thousands of jobs for laboures. Transportation costs will be reduced hence prices of commodities will reduce. Safe passage to cross cities during night. comfortable travelling.. People of Interior Sindh and Punjab can easily travel to cities hence to avail good health and education facilities.. Thousands of jobs for patroling police etc.. Many petrol stations, cafes resturants
@Patriot You nailed it! To all people crying for FREE education and health, sorry there is nothing free and for Government to give it for FREE, government needs revenue. Government unlike business generates revenue by Taxes. In Pakistan no one pay taxes honestly and to make them do it is a long term proposition that requires strong institutions. This is happening slowly. Development or mega development on other hand is basic economic principle to move money out of people's pocket and in to economy that do not pay taxes or cant pay taxes. Motorway just like 1950s Interstate development in the US is not just road but it is an opportunity for thousands of laborers to earn money to spend and generate an economic revival. I am very surprised as educated people lacking basic economic sense and their ability to analyze the motorway project or other such big projects in its correct context with in Pakistan where there is more black money than white. These are the opportunities that will create a cycle of money movement and from Maslow theory, once people have jobs and certain income level, their demand for their educational and health and security needs will automatically stem. Things do not happen over night, not after 16 years of criminal governamce by a military ruler and PPP government! Get a grip people
Mr. Shariff give priority to security in Pakistan. Leave all the rest behind.
My dear Prime Minister
The people who want to travel between Karachi and Lahore have got the roads, railways and airlines to do so. The poor old man who is ill has no place to go. The poor child has no means or access to a school. The poor educated has no jobs to make a living. Sir, we welcome you with all your mandate and all that stuff but please Sir get over that Nihari and Lassi you had this morning and start to think beyond the percentages.
Your respectfully
You-know-who-gharib-ibne-gharib
Can any genius over here kindly tell me which country in the world provides free education and medical services to their people? I live abroad and nothing is free over here, state provides all the services from heavy taxes we pay.....whether its Canada, USA or any Scandinavian country. Development has nothing to do with these sectors. We do not pay our taxes properly, our businessmen, industrialists, agriculturalists, all try to cheat and then demand for free services. Attention should be paid to improve the medical & educational sector but without stopping the development as its a necessity for our economy, circulation of money and jobs.
We need dance parties, dharna & DJ Butt not motorways.
@Majid: You are right. That is also why I support PML N. Unlike the other parties, at least Nawaz Sharif is building the country and things are improving slowly but surely.
Making motorways, metros, dams, infrastructure on one hand and fighting terrorism with same and even more passion on other hand, Sir Nawaz, you are a true champion.
Spend that mega money on Health Education and Welfare of masses. Motorway and metro busses with Mega Commission for self and cronies can wait.
@Adnan Siddiqi. You may be part of those benefiting from corruption so naturally you would not like exposure.
@Adnan Siddiqi: It's not the job of the journalists to go to the court. It is the job of the state to do the prosecution. Instead of asking this from Arshad Sharif, you should have asked Nawaz Sharif, but then that individual has left with not an iota of shame, credibility, integrity or honor. This is why Amir-e-Qatar called him dangerous, and he continues to live up to his reputation despite getting third time in power.
I often start with this that I voted for PTI yet Imran khan disappointed me alot and Mian Saaab by doing great work really impressed me. Once again I repent for voting Imran khan.
@Afeef: They also know to make Punjabis fool. Punjabi mentality is development= roads, bridges & metros.
Never mind investing in quality of education and health sector or making police and judiciary independent. Who cares if state institutions are used as private properties of rulers?
a@Adnan Siddiqi: May be Arshad Sharif is on Sheikh Rashid's payroll. Who knows and who cares?
What I know is what I saw. He showed a MOU signed by chairman of NHA (Tarar) and Saif and the dude (Tarar) from NHA did not refute. Instead, he threatened to take Arshad to court. May be Arshad is still waiting for court notice from NHA.
Last, the SC is primarily to address matters of constitutional nature, not every other corruption scandal. Also, it costs a lot to go to the court. So why dont you remind Tarar to take Arshad to the court as he threatened?
Misplaced priorities have brought this country to where we are today. This project & similar others are not a priority, save this country from the scourge of terrorism ,extremism etc; & protect the life & property of the people instead of such mega projects. Divert the funds to NACTA & to security institutions in order to increase their efficiency to face the menace of terrorism in the county....we do not seem to have learnt any lesson from Peshawar incident.
Why? What about healthcare, education, energy, potable water, food? Terrorism? Reform of prisons, police, and prosecution department?
Make roads instead of making Pakistanies a NATION.........
@Adnan Siddiqui and what do you think Supreme court will do ? Give another date for hearing and another and another ? and when they give the verdict, govt will hide behind another constitution ''SHIQ" ... Please refrain from commenting in future ... Teri mehrbani .... :(
For NS every problem's solution is motor way, roads, bus, metro ..... Terrorism solution : Give new motorway to nation Education: Give Jangla bus to nation Clean Water: Give highway to nation Unemployment: Give taxi to nation
Hate PMLN and their stupid projects.....
I wish Nawaz sharif and my husband would both get over their Motorway fetish.
@Adnan Siddiqi: Who's payroll is that?
@Adnan Siddiqi: But if Saif did get the contract will NS resign? And more to the point you should sell you should give all your money to charity. If Arshad is wrong then he will lose his credibility and no-one will take him seriously again.
I want my police to be depoliticized. I want it to be independent. I want it to be agile. I want that the duty of police not to be given to army in longer run. I want local governments, I want transparency, I want literacy, I want health facilities. I do not want metros and motorways at the cost of above mentioned basic necessities. Do you understand my dear Lions?
For god sake... Can the PM look beyond the motorways and metros - get your priorities right please!
Please complete it as soon as possible, and do not appoint Sindh Traffic Police for it otherwise people will be driving in reverse.
Award to National Highway ? As I remmeber there was FIR against National Highway for accidents due to their negligence in Sindh.
Good.
Also lets make Gwadar - Peshawar and Gwadar Kabul motorway asap.
patient: doctor, I have a headache! Dr Nawaz: build two motorways and call me in the morning.
Nawaz you will earn more commission in this contract, I think it is not necessary if you do this then this type of work can better perform by Malik Riaz
@Anarchist:
If Arshad Sharif had an iota of credibility or if he had any shred of incriminating evidence, he would have and should have approached the Supreme Court. Now we all know on who's payroll Arshad Sharif is and from where he gets his nonsensical "Breaking News."
Soon is word that does not lay down and time limit and at the same time serve the purpose as well. Hope we see this project completed within 5 years of present government. Otherwise, many governments will be involved in the completion of project and only PMLN will be taking the credit.
These N-League guys are really good at making roads.
whoever got the contract dosent matter. they may be favouring their boys.atleast they do.something. im not a N league fan or a ppp fan.but look at the development of punjab compared to.sindh. we r 50 years behind.
Who got the contract? I hope its not your old pal Saif-ur-Rehman (doing business in Qatar) as revealed by Arshad Sharif on his show few weeks ago. Transparency is a must.