Sharif says large-scale infrastructure development projects play pivotal role in boosting economy
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif affirmed on Saturday that major infrastructure projects, including motorways would be completed during the current government’s tenure.
The announcement came during a briefing by Chairman National Highway Authority (NHA) to the premier.
The prime minister said large-scale infrastructure development projects play a pivotal role in boosting the economy.
“Such projects act as guarantors of economic and social well-being while boosting employment, reducing cost of accessing markets, providing means of improved opportunities and ensuring the provision of basic services at the grassroots level,” he said.
“The transport infrastructure can contribute towards poverty reduction, economic growth and inclusive social development,” Nawaz added.
He was informed that NHA is following the vision of the Prime Minister in developing infrastructure projects through private sector on the Build Own Operate (BOO) and Build Operate Transfer (BOT) basis.
Chairman NHA informed the premier that for the first time in Pakistan’s history, three Build Operate Transfer projects costing Rs91 billion have been rewarded which will generate Rs366 billion over the concession period.
Further, he said the construction of Karachi-Hyderabad motorway will start in the last week of December while ground breaking of motorway E-35 (Burhan-Havelian) will be done in the last week of November.
The premier directed that work on Karachi-Hyderabad motorway and Khanewal-Lahore motorway should be completed as soon as possible without compromising on the issues of transparency and international standards.
“Pindi Bhattian to Faisalabad motorway is being planned to be converted from existing four lanes into a six-lane motorway,” Nawaz said.
He also directed that a road should be built to connect Okara and Bahawalpur with Karachi-Lahore motorway.