ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar on Thursday reviewed the implementation plan of major projects of the Public Sector Development Programme.
The minister was briefed about the progress of hiring private specialist firms for monitoring and major development projects.
The meeting was informed about the progress on two major roads in Gilgit-Baltistan, namely, “Upgradation and widening of Jaglot-Skardu Road (167km)” and “Updated progress on Naltar Valley Road of GB”.
The minister directed the relevant department to work expeditiously on the remaining two bridges of the “Upgradation and widening of Jaglot-Skardu Road (167km)” project, which is a very important artery in Gilgit-Baltistan, and complete it as soon as possible.
This will trigger and boost domestic and international tourism in the region.
It was also informed in the meeting that more than two-thirds of Naltar Valley Road has been blacktopped. Asad Umar directed to fully mobilise the required resources to ensure completion of the road by June 2022.
This road project will open up the doors for tourism and contribute to the creation of more job opportunities and accrue socioeconomic impact for the region.
The meeting was also briefed on the progress and status of land acquisition for the Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway. On which the minister said the land acquisition should be completed on a priority basis so that the construction on the project can be started in the third quarter.
He also directed the National Highway Authority (NHA) to ensure effective coordination with the provincial and district administrations for timely resolution of the project sites issues so that the construction phase of this important motorway should not be delayed.
Member (Implementation and Monitoring) of the Planning Commission apprised the minister regarding shortlisting of 17 private specialist firms for monitoring. The monitoring reports will be submitted by these firms after the middle of December 2021.
After the initial thirty project monitoring by the M&E specialist firms, the programme will be upscale.
During the meeting, Asad Umar also reviewed the progress of Mohmand and Dasu dams and emphasised the priority funding to these projects.
The member implementation and monitoring of the Planning Commission, director general of monitoring and evaluation, and other senior officials attended the meeting.
