Nawaz orders swift completion of western route

Says his commitment to the nation shall be honoured

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday ordered that the western route of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) be completed at the earliest.

Chairing a meeting at the PM House to review the progress of different infrastructure projects under way across the country, the premier said he had made a commitment to the nation during an all-party conference that the western route would be completed soon, and that commitment shall be honoured.



National Highway Authority (NHA) Chairman Shahid Ashraf Tarar gave a detailed briefing to PM Nawaz on the CPEC project and its western route.

The premier ordered early completion of the western route and land acquisition, for which funds have already been allocated in the Public Sector Development Programme budget.

He also directed the staff of the PM’s office to coordinate with the Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa governments for fast-tracking the process of land acquisition.



He said the government had made an unprecedented investment in infrastructure projects in Balochistan, adding that for the first time 100 per cent PSDP funds were released to the provincial government.

Nawaz stressed expediting progress of the projects along with strict adherence to all the applicable procurement guidelines.

He said prompt implementation of the projects should not compromise transparency standards, adding that the projects must be completed within the stipulated time.



The premier was also briefed about the feasibility designs and timeliness of different parts of the CPEC project, such as the Burhan-DI Khan, DI Khan-Zhob and Zhob-Quetta routes.

He was told that the financial leg of the Lahore-Abdul Hakim and Zhob-Musakot motorways had been completed and that these projects were ready for ground-breaking, which PM Nawaz has decided to conduct this month.

The premier was also told that the Khanewal-Multan section of the motorway was complete and that the project was ready for inauguration this month.



He expressed satisfaction on the progress of the different projects that came under discussion and directed the NHA to fulfil its obligation towards the people of Pakistan with commitment and by ensuring transparency and saving the taxpayers’ hard-earned money.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 4^th, 2015.