Infrastructure and Transport News

[wuren]

Double Standards！jesuitical US.

They go their own way and do whatever them wants to benefit US national interest .

双重标准！虚伪的美国。他们为所欲为地维护自己的国家利益。

 

[Neo]

Gwadar Port fully operational, NA told ​

Another forex dealer found involved in flight of dollar​

Thursday, December 18, 2008

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Ports and Shipping Nabeel Gabol told the National Assembly on Wednesday that the Gwadar Port was fully functional and six ships carrying urea would dock at the port this month.

Responding to a question by Sheikh Salahuddin during the question hour, he said that an amount of Rs 400 million allocated for the Gwadar Deep Water Port project, Phase-I. To a question, he said that major works of the project had been completed and the sanctioned amount was utilized during the financial year 2007-08. Remaining minor works were likely to be completed by June 2009.

Responding to another question by Abdul Qadir Patel, he said that no compensation had been paid to the fishermen for the losses suffered by them after grounding of Tasman Spirit in July 2003 as the matter was sub judice.

Meanwhile, National Assembly Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza urged print and electronic media to keep national interest supreme in reporting on sensitive matters. “We need to ensure responsible reporting. Let us be careful that national interest remains supreme and our interests are not hurt,” the speaker said, in response to a point of order by MQM MNA Waseem Akhter.

MNA Waseem Akhter had raised a point regarding media reporting and talk shows in connection with Mumbai incident and India’s alleged involvement of Ajmal Qasab in the incident. Waseem Akhter had claimed that certain newspapers and news channels tried to establish Ajmal Qasab’s connection with Pakistan, at a time when no solid evidence was available yet about his any link. “This situation is very serious,” Waseem said and demanded an inquiry into what he claimed irresponsible reporting and demanded to send the matter to National Assembly Standing Committee on Information.

In response to the member, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr Babar Awan said, there has been one stance since Mumbai incident that State of Pakistan, the government and the Pakistani nation was not involved in this incident.

“If somebody has tried to concoct the matter and presumed something, it is not correct,” he said. “I hope correct and accurate stance of Pakistan would be highlighted in media.” He said as far as inquiry report does not surface, reporting in that matter would not be favourable.

He said on such issues a national bottom line is drawn. “We have a clear stance and cannot compromise on national security. We also need to be careful about our national interests in reporting.”

Commenting on the matter, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Sumsam Ali Bokhari said, it is our collective responsibility to protect national interests. “I have already requested everybody to dispense with our national duties and avoid anything that may harm our interests,” he said. The minister said, he had no objection if the matter needs to be sent to the committee.

Besides, Fazlur Rehman urged the governments of Pakistan and India to unmask the elements marring bilateral relations between Pakistan and India and creating tensions in the region. “Bilateral relations are usually undermined when both the countries strive for peaceful relations through dialogue and strengthening people-to-people contact. Indeed, there are some factors which do not want to see the neighbouring states having friendly ties,” said Maulana Fazlur Rehman while speaking in the National Assembly during a debate on the Pak-India tension.

Advisor to the Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik informed the National Assembly that another forex dealer has been found involved in flight of dollars. “I want to inform the house that the Federal Investigation Agency on Tuesday raided another forex agent and recovered important record,” he informed the house. “The FIA found important record showing that the forex agent had sent US$ 835 million out of the country,” Malik added. He said the FIA has already recovered the information from data of the computers of forex dealers that more than Rs. 200 billion have been sent abroad. “We are effectively dealing with this issue and the information available is being provided to the House,” he said.

 

[Neo]

Rs 100 million project inaugurated at SITE Super-highway ​

KARACHI (December 19 2008): Sindh Industries Minister, Rauf Siddiqi has said that industrial estates across Sindh are being developed at par with international standards to provide conducive business environment to investors. 'This will not only encourage the local entrepreneurs to set up new industries in Sindh but also attract foreign investment,' he said while speaking as chief guest at a stone laying ceremony of Rs 100 million project at SITE Superhighway on Thursday.

He said the Government is striving to alleviate unemployment through massive industrialisation and inauguration of this project was in line with the government's commitment to provide world class infrastructure and facilities for local and foreign investors.

Siddiqui said the government has framed a business-friendly scheme under which, investors will not need any prior approval, sanction or NOC for setting up an industrial project in the province. He described security as prime concern behind construction of boundary wall around Phase-I SITE Super Highway.

In the initial phase, the Minister informed SITE Super Highway Association Office, along with a mosque, a 50-bed hospital and a Fire Brigade Station will be constructed under public-private partnership within 18 months.

While briefing about current status of other development projects, he said that over Rs 350 million are being spent on 53 new schemes while 23 schemes are under execution at various estates of SITE Limited and 33 new schemes for Karachi were in the pipeline.

The Minister also said Sindh government has set up four Development and Management Companies with an investment of Rs 1 billion, which would take up infrastructure development in industrial enclaves of Landhi, Korangi, Federal B Area and North Karachi.

He also said that six schemes at SITE Super Highway Phase-l would be completed at a cost of Rs 32.2 million. These includes construction of road costing Rs 21 million, construction of building at Rs 9.2 million and street light on various roads at a cost of Rs 2million. The Secretary SITE Ltd, Managing Director, SITE Ltd besides Mehtabuddin Chawla, Jamshed Chandiwala and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.

 

[Neo]

Rs 500 million released for development of Lyari: Qaim ​

KARACHI (December 26 2008): Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has said that residents of Lyari are fully conscious and peaceful people and doing service like other people for the progress of the country and nation. He stated this while addressing an open Kutchery at Khaliq Jumma Hall in Lyari on Thursday.

The people of Lyari pledged their allegiance to Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto the very day he founded Pakistan People's Party and workers and 'Jialas' of Lyari had been rendering sacrifices during every era and leading the party to successes with big majority. He hoped that in future also they will continue to elect the PPP candidates.

Syed Qaim Ali Shah said the PPP was kept out of power for 13 long years as a result of which Lyari was kept deprived of development. The present government has released Rs 500 million for development of Lyari and to solve the problems of water, gas, drainage etc.

Announcing that roads of Lyari will be improved, the chief minister said that a Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Girls Degree College and Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Law College will be established here. Besides, health facilities will be improved for which funds would be provided along with appointment of doctors.

Syed Qaim Ali Shah described the youth of Lyari as very talented and said that one more football ground will be developed on 10 acres of land in Lyari to promote their constructive activities. He declared that capable and poor young people of Lyari would be given jobs on priority basis while the poor will also be given plots free of cost to have their own houses. He said that poor women of Lyari would be paid Rs 1,000 per month under Benazir Bhutto Income Support programme.

Addressing the Kutchery, State Minister for Ports and Shipping, Nabil Gabol said that PPP was today in power because of every drop of blood shed by Bhutto family and particularly Shaheed Benazir Bhutto and sacrifices of party workers.

He announced that able young people of Lyari would be given jobs in KPT, Port Qasim and other federal government organisations. Earlier, Provincial Minister Mohammed Rafiq Engineer, MPA Saleem Hingoro, Town Nazim Mohammed Hashim, PPP leader Habib Jan and UC Nazim Abdul Rauf also addressed and apprised the chief minister about their area problems.

The chief minister received applications from people and issued orders on them, wherever necessary. Earlier, on arrival in Lyari Town, the people standing on both sides of road from Khoja Jamaat Khana to Khaliq Jumma Hall gave him a warm welcome and showered petals amid slogans of Zinda Hai Bibi Zinda Hai, Bhutto Zinda Hai and Chief Minister Zindabad.

 

[Neo]

Railways earned over Rs 12 billion in July-December ​

ISLAMABAD (January 13 2009): Pakistan Railways earned Rs 12150.420 million during July-December 2008 on account of increasing fares and introduction of high capacity wagons, well-placed sources in the Ministry of Railways told Business Recorder here on Monday. Sources said the increase in the earnings is due to 5 percent increase in fares.

During this period PR earned Rs 3211.137 million more than the corresponding period of last year which was Rs 8939.283 million. Railways has shown improvement in cumulative revenue as it earned Rs 3669.543 million in freight traffic while Rs 6386.233 million from passengers, sources added.

They said that the total earnings in freight during the same period of 2007-08 stood at Rs 2515.545 million and with the increase of Rs 1254.002 million, the revenue reached Rs 3669.543 million. Similarly, a rise of Rs 1263.925 million has been observed in passenger earning which was Rs 5122.218 million during the same period of last fiscal year, and now it has reached Rs 6386.233 million in last six months of the current fiscal year.

They said that increase of Rs 28.412 million has been registered from the earning of other coaching, touching the total of Rs 454.161 million in current fiscal year as compared to Rs 425.749 million during 2007-08. Source also said that Rs 764.712 million has increased in sundry earning as compared to Rs 875.771 million in the previous fiscal year but at the end of first half of current fiscal year it increased to Rs 1640.483 million.

They said that due to introduction of high capacity wagons, PR has come to the position to improve its freight sector which is also a reason that PR has made improvement in the financial status. They said that earlier wagons could load only 40 tons weight but after introducing high capacity wagons, it can load 60 tons.

They said that during December 2008 total 2020 wagons of cement were loaded for India, out of which 1534 wagons passed through Amritsar while 486 were destined for Wazir Mansion. In order to facilitate passengers as well as freight to continue improvements and to consolidate reforms, PR will import, 150 new coaches from China worth Rs 5.977 billion, while government has also shown its interest in importing 75 locomotives and 1300 high speed wagons from China, sources added.

They said that it not only contributes to economic growth but also promotes national integration. However, due to diversion of resources to expansion of road network, the performance of PR has declined and its share of inland traffic reduced from 41 percent to 10 percent for passenger and 73 percent to 4 percent for freight traffic, they added.

 

[Neo]

PIA suffered Rs 38 billion loss during January-September 2008, National Assembly told ​

ISLAMABAD (January 13 2009): The government informed the National Assembly on Monday that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has incurred an overall loss of Rs 38 billion during January-September 2008.

Defence Minister Chaudhary Ahmed Mukhtar, in a written reply regarding the question of total number of aircraft PIA purchased and profit earned by them, apprised the house that the PIA purchased only one aircraft since March 2008 from the US Boeing Company and did not lease any aircraft during this period.

Minister for Investment Nveed Qamar, replying to a question on behalf of Advisor to the Prime Minister on Petroleum and Natural Resources, said that 155 million tonnes of crude oil worth 58,000 dollars was lost due to rapture in Parco gas pipeline in Karachi by the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC).

Giving details, he said the incident occurred when the SSGC officials misidentified Parco's crude oil pipeline and punctured it for giving connection while providing natural gas to a new CNG station in Korangi area. He said that action would be taken against those proven guilty by an inquiry being conducted into the incident. The inquiry report would be submitted in next 10 days, he added.

Information Minister Sherry Rehman said that the channel of Gwadar Port had been dredged to 14.5 metres to attract motherships for trans-shipment. While replying to a question on behalf of the State Minister for Ports and Shipping, she said that that various rail and road projects were under way to connect Gwadar with the other parts of the country as well as Afghanistan, Central Asia and China.

State Minister for Communication Chaudhry Imtiaz Safdar Warriach informed the house that 10 new highway projects had been approved for Sindh, which would cost about Rs 18 billion. Work on them was expected to begin during the current financial year, he added. To another question, he said work on four projects of Karachi-Quetta section of national highway was under way.

These are Hub-Uthal, Kararo-Wad, Kalat-Khad Koocha and Khad Koocha-Quetta. Replying to a question, the State Minister said there was a plan to commence construction of M-4 section of Motorway this year at a cost of Rs 40 billion. He said the National Highway Authority (NHA) had also planned construction of Hassan Abdal-Havelian-Abbottabad-Mansehra Expressway on a new alignment.

 

[Neo]

New barrage planned at Khanki downstream ​

LAHORE (January 15 2009): Punjab Irrigation Department plans the construction of a new barrage at Khanki at a distance of 900 feet downstream of the existing weir. PC-1 of the project has been prepared, and it will be financed by the Japan International Co-operation Agency (Jica), said Senior Minister Raja Riaz Ahmad while presiding over a meeting of farmers and representatives of Farmer Organisations (FOs) here on Wednesday.

PIDA and irrigation department representatives were also present. The minister told participants that rehabilitation and modernisation of Jinnah Barrage and Islam Barrage is also planned, and detailed designs of uplift of the two barrages are being prepared.

Irrigation Department is also encouraging the private sector to set up small hydropower plants at canals and feasibility studies of seven hydropower projects, having accumulative capacity of 126 megawatt, have been completed, he said.

He further informed that a bid for a 4.8-megawatt station on Lower Bari Doab Canal (LBDC) from the private sector has been received and is in the process of evaluation. Meanwhile, surprise checks of outlets through monitoring teams are being conducted to ensure equitable distribution of water.

Aware of the crucial importance of water for sustainable socio-economic development, the government is according the highest priority to water resources development and management, he maintained. The main areas of focus have been rehabilitation and upgradation of irrigation systems, modernisation of barrages, lining of irrigation channels, harnessing power potential, improving canal operations and checking of water theft through institutional reforms, Raja Riaz added.

 

[Pk_Thunder]

Special attention being paid to infrastructure development: Shahbaz​

RECORDER REPORT
LAHORE (January 30 2009): Punjab Chief Minister, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that special attention is being paid to infrastructure development for rapid progress of the province and provision of better communication facilities to the masses. He was presiding over a meeting to review the pace of ongoing development work in different districts of the province on Thursday.

Punjab CM said that a number of development projects were being executed expeditiously while quality of work and timely completion of uplift schemes were also being ensured. Shahbaz further said that Shalimar flyover would be completed within a record period of eight and a half months while installation of 69 tubewells in different areas of Lahore would also be completed by April 02 well before the onset of summer season. He directed the authorities concerned to submit a report to him within a week after considering various options regarding construction of Rawalpindi Expressway, so that the project could be started as early as possible.

The Chairman, Task Force, Khawaja Ahmad Hasaan, Engineer-in-Chief, Pakistan Army, General Shahid Niaz, Commissioner Lahore Division, Secretary Communication and Works, Director General LDA, MD Wasa, MD Nespak, Ahsan Chughtai and concerned officers were present in the meeting.

The CM said that contrary to the past, the government was ensuring proper utilisation of every penny of public money and all development projects were being completed in a transparent manner. 'There was hardly any project in the tenure of the previous government, which was completed timely and the government did not have to pay heavy additional expenses due to delay in the implementation of the projects,' he said.

Further, he said that services of FWO were acquired during his last tenure, which maintained a high standard of development projects, while no repair work was needed so far and all the mega projects are again being executed by the FWO.

The Shalimar flyover project would be completed within the stipulated period and no hurdle would be tolerated in the interest of the people's convenience, he reaffirmed. 'Pace of implementation of Madr-e-Millat and Quaid-e-Azam road, Gulshan Ravi, Band road and other development projects was satisfactory and these projects would be executed within the timeframe,' the CM said.

Shahbaz also said that the work on package IV of Ring road had started from January 04 and at the cost of Rs 1400 million. He directed to maintain the quality and standard of work on all development projects. He also directed the Secretary, Communication and Works and Managing Director, Nespak to consider various options regarding construction of Rawalpindi Expressway and submit a report to him within seven days so that the project could be started at the earliest.

Punjab CM further ordered various departments to promote the culture of development work during night like other countries so that the problems of the people could be minimised and schemes could be completed expeditiously.

General Shahid Niaz informed the meeting that the pace of work on development schemes is in accordance with the timeframe and 42 percent work had been completed so far. He assured the meeting that all uplift projects would be completed within the stipulated period besides ensuring a high standard of construction.

 

[Pk_Thunder]

UK firm to generate 300 megawatts power from Thar coal​

AFTAB CHANNA
KARACHI (January 29 2009): A British company will install a Mines Mouth Power Plant at Block 6 of Thar Coal to generate 300-megawatt electricity by 2012, officials told Business Recorder on Wednesday. Initially, the firm, M/s Oracle Coal Fields PLC will invest $400 million for generation of 300-megawatts.

The power generating capacity will be enhanced upto 1200 megawatts in the second phase, they added. In this connection, they said that the firm would prepare the feasibility report of the plant within six months, prior to undertaking the mining at the marked block.

"The British company has confirmed coal reservoirs of 1.4 billion tons at block 6 of Thar Coal. The firm could expand the project capacity if the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) and the National Electricity and Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) fix viable buying rates," they elaborated.

The officials said that the same (British) firm would start mining of 29 wells at the site, while two more blocks will also be handed over to other interested companies in near future. They said that a five-member delegation of the firm, comprising Dr Larey Thomas, Anthony Scuff, Micheal Strake, Shahrukh and Shafiq Khan met the Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah last Monday and apprised him about the project.

The delegation left for the site yesterday (Tuesday) on a three-day visit of the site, the officials said. To a question about the recruitment of locals, they said that the firm has assured the chief minister of giving priority to the area people in recruitment.

 

[Neo]

PIA to become economically viable, says PM​

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister, Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Friday urged the management of Pakistan Airlines to put best efforts in making the national flag carrier an economically viable and efficient airline.

In a meeting with Managing Director, PIA Captain (retd) Ejaz Haroon, the Prime Minister said the PIA management besides improving the working of organisation should also look after the interests of its employees.

The Prime Minister assured that the government would provide full support to PIA in implementation of its business plan to improve quality of services being provided to the passengers.

The PIA managing director briefed Prime Minister about the measures undertaken to improve its performance.

 

[Neo]

Japanese team completes KCR feasibility report​

KARACHI (February 11 2009): The Japanese survey team has concluded its feasibility report of the $872.316 million project for revival of Karachi Circular Railway, paving the way for grant of loan by Japan in May 2009. Another Japanese survey team, which was busy with making further study about the project aimed to mitigate traffic problems in the metropolis, sources told Business Recorder on Tuesday.

The 10-member Japanese team, they said, would come back to Pakistan again in March this year, and the governments of Pakistan and Japan are likely to sign the loan agreement in May 2009. After the release of funds, the project is to be completed in three to four years.

According to the agreement with Pakistan, Japan External Trade Organisation (Jetro), commissioned by the ministry of economy, trade and industry, Government of Japan, would provide 100 percent funding for the project under Japanese STEP loan at 0.2 percent mark-up rate for a 40-year payback time, including a 10-year grace period.

Currently, the project had been undergoing different assessment studies, like Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Special Assistance for Project Formation (Saprof), etc, led by a group of Jetro, which were likely to be completed in the current month, said the sources.

They said that Karachi was facing tremendous growth in traffic at 7.2 percent annually, beside its disproportionate yearly growth of buses of 17 percent causing congestion and accidents, increasing in travelling time. Therefore, railway-based transport system was the need of the hour. They said the railway based mass transit system was only the solution to cater the public demand in the over populated metropolis.

However, they said that for completion of the project in time, government's attention and seriousness were needed to get the mega project on fast track by requesting the Japanese government for the immediate release of funds it sanctioned for the project.

 

[Neo]

Weakening economy : Leh Expressway funds deferred until next fiscal year​

* Rs 100 billion cut introduced in PSDP
* Project will lessen traffic burden on Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Road​

RAWALPINDI: The federal government has discontinued financing for Rs 22 billion Leh Expressway and Flood Channel project due to the country’s weak economic position at present.

A decision to discontinue financing for less important projects in fiscal year 2008-09 had been taken in view of a prolonged financial crunch in the country. Funds for Leh Expressway and Flood Channel project, however, were stopped in January.

Sources told Daily Times that the government had directed all ministries and departments to make a priority list of their development projects so that less important projects could be deferred till the next fiscal year.

They said the federal government had introduced Rs 100 billion cut in Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) releases. They said total outlay of PSDP, 2008-09, was Rs 541 billion and that the government had released only Rs125 billion under this head from July to December this fiscal year compared with Rs 280 billion released last year in the same period.

Former president Pervez Musharraf inaugurated the Leh Expressway and Flood Channel project in March 2007 and gave two years for its completion. Federal and Punjab governments will equally share its cost as the project is not being funded by foreign donors.

Work on it has been stopped since general elections as the PML-N government is not interested in it for it entails the name of Sheikh Rashid Ahmed. Now Ahmed’s name has been removed from it.

The sources said estimated cost of the project was Rs 8.8884 billion; the federal government released Rs 556.5 million for it by December 2008 and deferred release of remaining Rs 8.328 billion.

They said the government would likely release funds for it in fiscal year 2009-10.

According to master plan, the signal free 22-km long road will run on both sides of Nullah Leh from Rawalpindi to Islamabad with interchanges at Katarian Bridge, Moti Mehal and Ammar Chowk.

It will ease traffic burden on Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Road and Airport Road. Eight flyovers and 10 bridges will also be constructed on the expressway, which would be fenced on both sides.

According to breakdown, Rs 1.740 billion would be spent on construction of service road, fence and drains; Rs 220 million on the 10 bridges; Rs 4.41 billion on three interchanges; Rs 3 billion on eight flyovers; Rs 4.63 billion on retention wall and Rs 6 billion on land acquisition for the project.

 

[Neo]

Talks with Japan under way for underground train service in Karachi: Bilour ​

Tuesday February 17, 2009

PESHAWAR: Minister for Railways Ghulam Ahmad Bilour said on Monday that talks with Japan were under way for underground mass-transit train service in Karachi.

Speaking at the Meet the Press programme at the Peshawar Press Club on Monday, he said the completion of the project would take three years with a share of 60:40 expenses by the governments of Japan and Pakistan. Bilour said a lot of blood of the Pakhtuns had been shed during the past several years, which should be stopped now.

He said the Awami National Party (ANP) would go to any extent for restoring peace in the Pakhtun-dominated areas. He said all the issues should be resolved through negotiation. For achieving peace, he said, the society should take collective measures.

When Bilour, a senior ANP leader, was addressing the Meet the Press programme, his party’s provincial leadership was holding talks with the Tanzeem Nifaz Shariat-e-Muhammadi (TNSM) leaders as well as the presidents and general secretaries of all the political parties for the restoration of peace in Swat.

Bilour expressed concern over the deteriorating economic situation, hunger, unemployment, price hike and lawlessness, saying 2.2 million Pakhtuns were killed during the Afghan war and now, they were being pitched against the US under a conspiracy. He posed a question as to how industries could be established on such a land where bombs were being rained and innocent people being killed.

The minister expressed helplessness in bringing the Pakistan Railways out of the heavy deficit and attributed the losses to the extra-burden in shape of factories and workshops. He said that only the Mughalpura Railway Workshop in Lahore had more than 11,000 workers, adding that the Locomotive Factory, Risalpur, and four sleeper-manufacturing factories in different cities of the country also required financial resources.

The running of train service was the only source of earning for the Pakistan Railways, he added. He said that after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, people torched 35 locomotives and 53 railway stations in different parts of the country.

He vowed to streamline the affairs of the Railways Ministry and minimise the deficit, which had climbed to Rs 3.1 billion annually. He said when he assumed the charge of the ministry, the deficit was Rs 1.48 billion.

The railways, he said, also owed Rs 20 billion to the State Bank of Pakistan under the head of loans. He said the Pakistan Railways had also purchased land at the Gwadar Port to link it with Peshawar and Karachi.

 

[Jihad]

Neo, are we talking about a metro or subway here?

 

[Omar1984]

Karachi needs an underground train service, there's way too much traffic in Karachi.

Very good news for Pakistan