Thanks Rahman, I was looking for the image.
Looks nice, man Karachi is developping fast!
Infrastructure and Transport News
- Thread starter Neo
- Start date
Thanks Rahman, I was looking for the image.
Looks nice, man Karachi is developping fast!
Lahore-Rawalpindi bullet train: Railways signs feasibility study deal
ISLAMABAD (February 11 2007): Pakistan Railways on Saturday signed an agreement with an Austrian and Spanish-based consortium to carry out feasibility study for high-speed train between Rawalpindi and Lahore. The study for laying high- speed track, to be completed in nine months, was signed at the Ministry of Railways here.
Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and Secretary and Chairman Railways Shakil Durrani were present. General Manager Railways Assad Saeed signed the agreement. Managing Director Mr Santiago represented the consortium, M R Consult.
Officials from the embassies of Austria and Spain also were present there to witness the signing ceremony. Pakistan Railways has planned to start high-speed train service between Rawalpindi and Lahore before 2010. The train's speed is estimated at 250 to 300 kilometres per hour.
M R Consult is the firm which has won the contract for quoting the lowest rates of Rs23.97 million among eight bidding companies from USA, China, France, Sweden, Austria and Spain.
http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?i... rm=&supDate=
ISLAMABAD (February 11 2007): Pakistan Railways on Saturday signed an agreement with an Austrian and Spanish-based consortium to carry out feasibility study for high-speed train between Rawalpindi and Lahore. The study for laying high- speed track, to be completed in nine months, was signed at the Ministry of Railways here.
Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and Secretary and Chairman Railways Shakil Durrani were present. General Manager Railways Assad Saeed signed the agreement. Managing Director Mr Santiago represented the consortium, M R Consult.
Officials from the embassies of Austria and Spain also were present there to witness the signing ceremony. Pakistan Railways has planned to start high-speed train service between Rawalpindi and Lahore before 2010. The train's speed is estimated at 250 to 300 kilometres per hour.
M R Consult is the firm which has won the contract for quoting the lowest rates of Rs23.97 million among eight bidding companies from USA, China, France, Sweden, Austria and Spain.
http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?i... rm=&supDate=
Clifton-Manora bridge: President to perform ground breaking soon
KARACHI (February 11 2007): President General Pervez Musharraf will soon perform the ground breaking of bridge that would be constructed from Clifton to Manora. This was stated by Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping, Senator Babar Khan Ghauri.
He thanked President Musharraf for appreciating the work of Karachi Port Trust and the work he is doing for Karachi as Minister for Ports and Shipping.
The Minister said the President would also perform the ground breaking of the Diamond Island City. He stated that a number of mega projects are coming up for the beautification of this metropolis, betterment of the province and for strengthening the country.
http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=527375&currPageNo=3&query=&search=&term=&supDate=
KARACHI (February 11 2007): President General Pervez Musharraf will soon perform the ground breaking of bridge that would be constructed from Clifton to Manora. This was stated by Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping, Senator Babar Khan Ghauri.
He thanked President Musharraf for appreciating the work of Karachi Port Trust and the work he is doing for Karachi as Minister for Ports and Shipping.
The Minister said the President would also perform the ground breaking of the Diamond Island City. He stated that a number of mega projects are coming up for the beautification of this metropolis, betterment of the province and for strengthening the country.
http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=527375&currPageNo=3&query=&search=&term=&supDate=
Chinese firm keen on investing in transport sector
KARACHI (February 11 2007): A five-member Chinese delegation, led by Madam Sheng on Saturday called on Sindh Minister for Labour, Transport, Industries and Commerce Muhammad Adil Siddiqui at his office and offered investment of 83.33 million dollars in transport sector in Karachi and interior of the province.
The offer includes wide-body comfortable and environment-friendly CNG buses, besides establishing CNG fuel stations and fleet operators in the province.
Provincial Transport Secretary Nasar Hayat, representative of Provincial Committee on Investment Muslim Abbasi, Younis Haji Usman, Nazir Haji Usman were also present.
Expressing satisfaction over the investment atmosphere in Sindh, Director, Hier Bus Company of China Tong and Madam Sheng, President of Suz Zou Meisheng said they had reviewed inter-city and intra-city routes in the province, where people could be facilitated with safe and conformable transport services through running pollution free CNG buses.
They said their company was keen to work on this project in co-ordination with homeland transport under public private partnership, which would establish terminals for inter-city and intra-city fleets and besides CNG stations.
The minister said the province was safer and attractive place for foreigners for their investment and added there were vast investment opportunities in other sectors also.
He said government through its policies has maintained law and order while foreign investors are being provided facilities for investment on 100 percent equity basis.
The government is working on other projects to improve infrastructure and also wanted to improve transport infrastructure, for which it is necessary to introduce larger number of CNG buses under urban transport scheme, he added.
The minister assured the delegation of all-out assistance on behalf of Sindh government.
http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=527432&currPageNo=3&query=&search=&term=&supDate=
KARACHI (February 11 2007): A five-member Chinese delegation, led by Madam Sheng on Saturday called on Sindh Minister for Labour, Transport, Industries and Commerce Muhammad Adil Siddiqui at his office and offered investment of 83.33 million dollars in transport sector in Karachi and interior of the province.
The offer includes wide-body comfortable and environment-friendly CNG buses, besides establishing CNG fuel stations and fleet operators in the province.
Provincial Transport Secretary Nasar Hayat, representative of Provincial Committee on Investment Muslim Abbasi, Younis Haji Usman, Nazir Haji Usman were also present.
Expressing satisfaction over the investment atmosphere in Sindh, Director, Hier Bus Company of China Tong and Madam Sheng, President of Suz Zou Meisheng said they had reviewed inter-city and intra-city routes in the province, where people could be facilitated with safe and conformable transport services through running pollution free CNG buses.
They said their company was keen to work on this project in co-ordination with homeland transport under public private partnership, which would establish terminals for inter-city and intra-city fleets and besides CNG stations.
The minister said the province was safer and attractive place for foreigners for their investment and added there were vast investment opportunities in other sectors also.
He said government through its policies has maintained law and order while foreign investors are being provided facilities for investment on 100 percent equity basis.
The government is working on other projects to improve infrastructure and also wanted to improve transport infrastructure, for which it is necessary to introduce larger number of CNG buses under urban transport scheme, he added.
The minister assured the delegation of all-out assistance on behalf of Sindh government.
http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=527432&currPageNo=3&query=&search=&term=&supDate=
Open skies for Karachi, Lahore proposed
By Saad Hasan
KARACHI: Aviation authorities have proposed to open skies of Karachi and Lahore for intending foreign airlines in a bid to increase air traffic and passenger travel, a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) official told The News on Saturday.
This proposal incorporated into the draft of upcoming aviation policy, which was yet to be finalised, might widen the operational scope for international carriers restricted up until now to Gulf-based airlines, he added.
ââ¬ÅThe arrangement is based on point-to-point basis,ââ¬Â said the official, who wished to remain anonymous, explaining this fixed a destination up to which passengers could be carried barring flights from going beyond that point.
However, air routes to Islamabad and Peshawar have not been liberalised because of infrastructure constraints and the open skies policy draft has not excited the existing Gulf-based operators either.
ââ¬ÅWe do not see any benefit in this ââ¬Ëcontrolled policyââ¬â¢ of third and fourth freedom rights,ââ¬Â says an official of one of the carriers. ââ¬ÅThis is discrimination against us, people from the (Gulf) region are investing so much in the country.ââ¬Â
He said the policy in its present shape would only prove useful for small carriers from regional countries around Pakistan. ââ¬ÅAlready there is overcapacity at Dubai. So if fourth and fifth freedom is allowed then it is good,ââ¬Â he added.
Fourth and fifth freedom rights let an airline bring passengers from another country to ones own and then onward to a third country while third and fourth freedom right permits air traffic transit between two countries only.
The CAAââ¬â¢s move toward limited liberalisation of the aviation sector comes at a time when a domestic airline has announced the start of flights between Islamabad and Manchester, UK, raising concerns about its impact on the national flag carrier.
Pakistan has seen substantial increase in passenger travelling in the last couple of years and experts believe that economic growth will continue to boost the number of passengers travelling to and from the country.
According to CAA statistics, international and domestic passenger traffic at all airports increased to 13.5 million in 2004-05 from 11.8 million recorded a year earlier.
This increase in passenger travelling has compelled the CAA to plan a major expansion of infrastructure including renovation of airports and construction of some new ones.
Moreover, it is being felt that regional countries are experiencing exceptional growth in the aviation sector and Pakistan must also strive to grab its share.
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=42315
By Saad Hasan
KARACHI: Aviation authorities have proposed to open skies of Karachi and Lahore for intending foreign airlines in a bid to increase air traffic and passenger travel, a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) official told The News on Saturday.
This proposal incorporated into the draft of upcoming aviation policy, which was yet to be finalised, might widen the operational scope for international carriers restricted up until now to Gulf-based airlines, he added.
ââ¬ÅThe arrangement is based on point-to-point basis,ââ¬Â said the official, who wished to remain anonymous, explaining this fixed a destination up to which passengers could be carried barring flights from going beyond that point.
However, air routes to Islamabad and Peshawar have not been liberalised because of infrastructure constraints and the open skies policy draft has not excited the existing Gulf-based operators either.
ââ¬ÅWe do not see any benefit in this ââ¬Ëcontrolled policyââ¬â¢ of third and fourth freedom rights,ââ¬Â says an official of one of the carriers. ââ¬ÅThis is discrimination against us, people from the (Gulf) region are investing so much in the country.ââ¬Â
He said the policy in its present shape would only prove useful for small carriers from regional countries around Pakistan. ââ¬ÅAlready there is overcapacity at Dubai. So if fourth and fifth freedom is allowed then it is good,ââ¬Â he added.
Fourth and fifth freedom rights let an airline bring passengers from another country to ones own and then onward to a third country while third and fourth freedom right permits air traffic transit between two countries only.
The CAAââ¬â¢s move toward limited liberalisation of the aviation sector comes at a time when a domestic airline has announced the start of flights between Islamabad and Manchester, UK, raising concerns about its impact on the national flag carrier.
Pakistan has seen substantial increase in passenger travelling in the last couple of years and experts believe that economic growth will continue to boost the number of passengers travelling to and from the country.
According to CAA statistics, international and domestic passenger traffic at all airports increased to 13.5 million in 2004-05 from 11.8 million recorded a year earlier.
This increase in passenger travelling has compelled the CAA to plan a major expansion of infrastructure including renovation of airports and construction of some new ones.
Moreover, it is being felt that regional countries are experiencing exceptional growth in the aviation sector and Pakistan must also strive to grab its share.
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=42315
Work on Sialkot-Lahore motorway under process
SIALKOT (February 13 2007): Necessary arrangements are being finalised for undertaking development work on mega project of Sialkot-Lahore motorway, costing more than Rs 20 billion, official sources told Business Recorder here on Monday.
They said that new industrial estates would be developed on Sambrial, Gujranwala and Muridke interchanges of Sialkot-Lahore motorway and process of selection of land for the proposed estates was underway.
Besides, an ultra modern Sialkot Engineering University was being developed on 500 acres of land on Sambrial-Daska section near Sialkot-Lahore motorway, they added. The Punjab government had released Rs 90 million for the purchase of land while the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) had already contributed 130,000 Euro as matching grant to Royal Institute of Technology.
The role of Sweden government would be instrumental in establishment of the proposed university and collaboration in extending the technical know-how. The Sweden government would also provide necessary assistance in formulation of faculties of the proposed engineering university of Sialkot.
The proposed university would not only cater to the needs of industrial sector of Sialkot but also provide opportunities of higher education at local level. The university would provide broad base opportunities of industrial research and development to local industries like surgical instruments, sports goods and leather industry for resolving their problems pertaining to innovation of products.
At present the local business community engaged with surgical instruments manufacturing, sports goods and leather industries were facing hardships due to the lack of research and development facilities at local level.
The surgical industry and sports goods industries of Sialkot had great potential and both the sectors could earn 7 billion dollars and 10 billion dollars respectively.
The completion of the motorway would reduce the distance between Sialkot and Lahore and it would further accelerate the pace of trade and commerce activities and generate employment opportunities, the sources added.
http://brecorder.com/index.php?id=528164&currPageNo=3&query=&search=&term=&supDate=
SIALKOT (February 13 2007): Necessary arrangements are being finalised for undertaking development work on mega project of Sialkot-Lahore motorway, costing more than Rs 20 billion, official sources told Business Recorder here on Monday.
They said that new industrial estates would be developed on Sambrial, Gujranwala and Muridke interchanges of Sialkot-Lahore motorway and process of selection of land for the proposed estates was underway.
Besides, an ultra modern Sialkot Engineering University was being developed on 500 acres of land on Sambrial-Daska section near Sialkot-Lahore motorway, they added. The Punjab government had released Rs 90 million for the purchase of land while the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) had already contributed 130,000 Euro as matching grant to Royal Institute of Technology.
The role of Sweden government would be instrumental in establishment of the proposed university and collaboration in extending the technical know-how. The Sweden government would also provide necessary assistance in formulation of faculties of the proposed engineering university of Sialkot.
The proposed university would not only cater to the needs of industrial sector of Sialkot but also provide opportunities of higher education at local level. The university would provide broad base opportunities of industrial research and development to local industries like surgical instruments, sports goods and leather industry for resolving their problems pertaining to innovation of products.
At present the local business community engaged with surgical instruments manufacturing, sports goods and leather industries were facing hardships due to the lack of research and development facilities at local level.
The surgical industry and sports goods industries of Sialkot had great potential and both the sectors could earn 7 billion dollars and 10 billion dollars respectively.
The completion of the motorway would reduce the distance between Sialkot and Lahore and it would further accelerate the pace of trade and commerce activities and generate employment opportunities, the sources added.
http://brecorder.com/index.php?id=528164&currPageNo=3&query=&search=&term=&supDate=
Navy ready to vacate Manora Island
KPT to build five-star resort
By Masood Anwar
KARACHI: Pakistan Navy has given green signal to Karachi Port Trust (KPT) for the vacation of Manora Island and handing over the possession very soon.
The KPT the body for the development of port and providing infrastructure in the port area has chalked out a plan to construct a five-star resort on the Island.
The plan was duly approved by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in October 2005. However, implementation of the scheme was delayed due to the installation of the Pakistan Navy on the Island. Due to the presence of Pakistan Navy on the Island, Manora is declared as high security sensitive area.
Now the Pakistan Navy has given its consent to vacate the area, Brig Syed Jamshed Zaidi, General Manager for Planning in KPT revealed this while talking to The News.
The resort would be linked with Clifton, Sandspit and Hawksbay via a bridge. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has given approval for the construction of a five-star resort at Manora in October 2005. Manora is a small island having area of around 2.5 square kilometers located just south of the Port of Karachi. The island is connected to the mainland by a 12 kilometre long causeway along with the Sandspit beach. Manora and neighbouring islands form a protective barrier between Karachi harbour to the north and the Arabian Sea to the south.
The island of Manora has served for more than 50 years as the main base of the Pakistan Navy, with berths for naval vessels located along the eastern edge of the island. The island has been governed as a military cantonment.
Before the opening of the new Jinnah Naval Base at Ormara, 250 kilometers away, Manora was the main base of Pakistan Navy.
Now, Pakistan Navy has agreed to shift its entire installation from Manora to Cape Montz, Zaidi said. They (Pakistan Navy) have given their consent recently, he said and added that soon after getting the possession, the KPT will start the initial work on the project.
According to an encyclopedia, parts of city of Karachi and the island of Manora at port of Karachi constituted the city of Debal.
The island was the site of a small fort constructed in the eighteenth century when the port of Karachi traded with Oman and Bahrain. The fort was stormed by the British in 1839 because of the strategic location of Karachi. Although the fort is now buried beneath the naval base, the lighthouse is a visible reminder of the British presence having been built in 1889 to assist vessels approaching Karachi harbour. It is the tallest lighthouse (28 m or 91 feet high) in Pakistan.
Manora is also a popular picnic spot because of the long sandy beaches along the southern edge of the island, which merge into the beaches of the Sandspit and then extend several kilometers to the beaches at Hawksbay.
The island lies approximately 15-20 minutes by boat ride from mainland Karachi but there are no good hotels available for an overnight stay. For this and other reasons, the Government of Pakistan planned to develop the island into a tourist destination, KPT general manager said.
The island has been envisioned as an exotic location with natural landscapes such as the beaches and the mangrove forests, and secluded beauty with an upgrade for the lighthouse to add to the quaint feel of the island.
Ministry for Ports and Shipping has also signed Memorandum of Understanding in 2006 with Dubai World Port and Emaar Properties for the redevelopment of Manora Island.
The KPT has estimated the cost for the development and construction of resort to the tune of Rs5 billion.
Beside the resorts, the KPT will also build a cruise terminal at the jetty of the Manora Island to facilitate the tourists and encourage the sea-tourism, he said.
Now, KPT is ready to kick-off the project with the first step of the appointment of the consultant, he added. Estimated period for the completion of the project is around 4 years.
Beside the 400 acres land occupied by the Pakistan Navy, the KPT has owned around 200 acres land in the island. And this 600 acre land is enough for the erection of a new tourist hub in the island, Zaidi said. The KPT will not touch the old residents of the island who are enjoying ownership rights there, he clarified while replying a question.
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=42635
KPT to build five-star resort
By Masood Anwar
KARACHI: Pakistan Navy has given green signal to Karachi Port Trust (KPT) for the vacation of Manora Island and handing over the possession very soon.
The KPT the body for the development of port and providing infrastructure in the port area has chalked out a plan to construct a five-star resort on the Island.
The plan was duly approved by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in October 2005. However, implementation of the scheme was delayed due to the installation of the Pakistan Navy on the Island. Due to the presence of Pakistan Navy on the Island, Manora is declared as high security sensitive area.
Now the Pakistan Navy has given its consent to vacate the area, Brig Syed Jamshed Zaidi, General Manager for Planning in KPT revealed this while talking to The News.
The resort would be linked with Clifton, Sandspit and Hawksbay via a bridge. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has given approval for the construction of a five-star resort at Manora in October 2005. Manora is a small island having area of around 2.5 square kilometers located just south of the Port of Karachi. The island is connected to the mainland by a 12 kilometre long causeway along with the Sandspit beach. Manora and neighbouring islands form a protective barrier between Karachi harbour to the north and the Arabian Sea to the south.
The island of Manora has served for more than 50 years as the main base of the Pakistan Navy, with berths for naval vessels located along the eastern edge of the island. The island has been governed as a military cantonment.
Before the opening of the new Jinnah Naval Base at Ormara, 250 kilometers away, Manora was the main base of Pakistan Navy.
Now, Pakistan Navy has agreed to shift its entire installation from Manora to Cape Montz, Zaidi said. They (Pakistan Navy) have given their consent recently, he said and added that soon after getting the possession, the KPT will start the initial work on the project.
According to an encyclopedia, parts of city of Karachi and the island of Manora at port of Karachi constituted the city of Debal.
The island was the site of a small fort constructed in the eighteenth century when the port of Karachi traded with Oman and Bahrain. The fort was stormed by the British in 1839 because of the strategic location of Karachi. Although the fort is now buried beneath the naval base, the lighthouse is a visible reminder of the British presence having been built in 1889 to assist vessels approaching Karachi harbour. It is the tallest lighthouse (28 m or 91 feet high) in Pakistan.
Manora is also a popular picnic spot because of the long sandy beaches along the southern edge of the island, which merge into the beaches of the Sandspit and then extend several kilometers to the beaches at Hawksbay.
The island lies approximately 15-20 minutes by boat ride from mainland Karachi but there are no good hotels available for an overnight stay. For this and other reasons, the Government of Pakistan planned to develop the island into a tourist destination, KPT general manager said.
The island has been envisioned as an exotic location with natural landscapes such as the beaches and the mangrove forests, and secluded beauty with an upgrade for the lighthouse to add to the quaint feel of the island.
Ministry for Ports and Shipping has also signed Memorandum of Understanding in 2006 with Dubai World Port and Emaar Properties for the redevelopment of Manora Island.
The KPT has estimated the cost for the development and construction of resort to the tune of Rs5 billion.
Beside the resorts, the KPT will also build a cruise terminal at the jetty of the Manora Island to facilitate the tourists and encourage the sea-tourism, he said.
Now, KPT is ready to kick-off the project with the first step of the appointment of the consultant, he added. Estimated period for the completion of the project is around 4 years.
Beside the 400 acres land occupied by the Pakistan Navy, the KPT has owned around 200 acres land in the island. And this 600 acre land is enough for the erection of a new tourist hub in the island, Zaidi said. The KPT will not touch the old residents of the island who are enjoying ownership rights there, he clarified while replying a question.
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=42635
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Transport sector may get industry status soon
* Transporters could qualify for soft loans and tariff incentives
By Fida Hussain
ISLAMABAD: A plan for declaring the informal transport sector an industry is being finalised, and the proposed plan calls for setting up small as well as large companies, which would qualify for soft loans from banks and tariff incentives from the tax authorities, an official said on Tuesday.
The faulty transport services and infrastructure inefficiencies were costing annually Rs 150 billion to the national exchequer. This also results in low quality of service impeding Pakistan trade competitiveness. The transporters have been asked to establish small and large companies to convert their businesses into formal industry, which would enable them to avail bank financing and tax incentives.
They have been assured that once they are converted into formal industrial sector, the government would ask banks to offer soft loans with little mark up rates, said the official. The government may also come up with a scheme to buy all trucks operating to replace them with the modern ones for meeting the international standards in view of National Trade Corridor Programme, said the official on sidelines of a workshop organized by the Engineering Development Board (EDB) here on Tuesday.
The workshop discussed ways and means to modernizing the trucking sector, which was attended by all the stakeholders including truck manufacturers, consumers, individual transporters, truck and bus body-makers and others. The workshop was addressed by Industries and Production Minister Jehangir Khan Tareen, Communication Minister Shamim Haider and Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Engineer Dr Akram Sheikh. The EDB CEO Imtiaz Rasgrar said that the government sees a huge potential of the sector with the operation of Gawadar deep seaport, which would, open new avenues for transport business. The policy for modernisation of trucking sector, he hoped would be finalized in a month time. He said that around 5 percent of trucking is in accordance with modern lines. About 25 percent of it would be modernised under the National Trade Corridor (NTC) Programme. The modernisation of the trucking sector would reduce 15 to 20 percent fuel consumption and road maintenance by $1 billion, speakers said. Under the NTC, the government is addressing issues confronting the countryââ¬â¢s road freight sector, which carries almost 95 per cent of the countryââ¬â¢s overland freight.
The strategy has been targeted to increase the share of prime movers to 10 percent from 5 percent by June 2010. This overland freight traffic, domestic and international, is responsible for almost 96% of the total tonnes per km and dominates the market owing to weak and unreliable railways.
Almost 70 percent of the trucking fleet comprise 2 axle trucks while the estimated figure show that the road freight traffic will grow by 6 percent. The strategy also supports vehicle disposal in unserviceable condition and legal regime and enactment of new laws to conform to international conventions and practices with a view to provide legal and formal cover towards protecting the national and international business interests, said a document of the EDB.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\02\14\story_14-2-2007_pg5_4
Transport sector may get industry status soon
* Transporters could qualify for soft loans and tariff incentives
By Fida Hussain
ISLAMABAD: A plan for declaring the informal transport sector an industry is being finalised, and the proposed plan calls for setting up small as well as large companies, which would qualify for soft loans from banks and tariff incentives from the tax authorities, an official said on Tuesday.
The faulty transport services and infrastructure inefficiencies were costing annually Rs 150 billion to the national exchequer. This also results in low quality of service impeding Pakistan trade competitiveness. The transporters have been asked to establish small and large companies to convert their businesses into formal industry, which would enable them to avail bank financing and tax incentives.
They have been assured that once they are converted into formal industrial sector, the government would ask banks to offer soft loans with little mark up rates, said the official. The government may also come up with a scheme to buy all trucks operating to replace them with the modern ones for meeting the international standards in view of National Trade Corridor Programme, said the official on sidelines of a workshop organized by the Engineering Development Board (EDB) here on Tuesday.
The workshop discussed ways and means to modernizing the trucking sector, which was attended by all the stakeholders including truck manufacturers, consumers, individual transporters, truck and bus body-makers and others. The workshop was addressed by Industries and Production Minister Jehangir Khan Tareen, Communication Minister Shamim Haider and Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Engineer Dr Akram Sheikh. The EDB CEO Imtiaz Rasgrar said that the government sees a huge potential of the sector with the operation of Gawadar deep seaport, which would, open new avenues for transport business. The policy for modernisation of trucking sector, he hoped would be finalized in a month time. He said that around 5 percent of trucking is in accordance with modern lines. About 25 percent of it would be modernised under the National Trade Corridor (NTC) Programme. The modernisation of the trucking sector would reduce 15 to 20 percent fuel consumption and road maintenance by $1 billion, speakers said. Under the NTC, the government is addressing issues confronting the countryââ¬â¢s road freight sector, which carries almost 95 per cent of the countryââ¬â¢s overland freight.
The strategy has been targeted to increase the share of prime movers to 10 percent from 5 percent by June 2010. This overland freight traffic, domestic and international, is responsible for almost 96% of the total tonnes per km and dominates the market owing to weak and unreliable railways.
Almost 70 percent of the trucking fleet comprise 2 axle trucks while the estimated figure show that the road freight traffic will grow by 6 percent. The strategy also supports vehicle disposal in unserviceable condition and legal regime and enactment of new laws to conform to international conventions and practices with a view to provide legal and formal cover towards protecting the national and international business interests, said a document of the EDB.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\02\14\story_14-2-2007_pg5_4
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
PIA receives 7th 777-300ER
KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines received delivery of the seventh 777-300ER (extended range) from the Boeing company.
ââ¬ÅThe airline received the seventh 777-300ER series plane on February 11,ââ¬Â a PIA official confirmed. ââ¬ÅThe last plane of this contract would be received in the month of March this year.ââ¬Â The airplane departed from Paine Field on the evening of Feb 8 for Karachiââ¬â¢s Quaid-e-Azam International Airport PIA was one of the first airlines in the world to order all of the latest versions of the 777 and it was the launch customer for Boeingââ¬â¢s 777-200LR.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\02\14\story_14-2-2007_pg5_7
PIA receives 7th 777-300ER
KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines received delivery of the seventh 777-300ER (extended range) from the Boeing company.
ââ¬ÅThe airline received the seventh 777-300ER series plane on February 11,ââ¬Â a PIA official confirmed. ââ¬ÅThe last plane of this contract would be received in the month of March this year.ââ¬Â The airplane departed from Paine Field on the evening of Feb 8 for Karachiââ¬â¢s Quaid-e-Azam International Airport PIA was one of the first airlines in the world to order all of the latest versions of the 777 and it was the launch customer for Boeingââ¬â¢s 777-200LR.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\02\14\story_14-2-2007_pg5_7
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Airblue acquires another Airbus
KARACHI: Airblue has acquired another Airbus A321 Aircraft on dry lease, which will be inducted in its fleet this week.
The airline said in a statement here on Tuesday: ââ¬ÅThis would increase the fleet size of Airblue to six dry-leased aircraft and would more than double the capacity of the airline since its inception.ââ¬Â
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\02\14\story_14-2-2007_pg5_8
Airblue acquires another Airbus
KARACHI: Airblue has acquired another Airbus A321 Aircraft on dry lease, which will be inducted in its fleet this week.
The airline said in a statement here on Tuesday: ââ¬ÅThis would increase the fleet size of Airblue to six dry-leased aircraft and would more than double the capacity of the airline since its inception.ââ¬Â
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\02\14\story_14-2-2007_pg5_8
Pakistan, India agree to resume Thar Express services
Wednesday February 14, 2007
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and India have agreed to resume the discontinued Thar express services from 17th of this month.
This was stated by the Federal minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmad During his meeting with Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Satya Barata Pal.
During his talks the minister aid that an amount of Rs. 500 million would be spent for providing all the suitable amenities to passengers at the Wagah Zero point and Khokara par Monabao junctions.
The minister said that the previous travel link from Monabao junction had to be suspended due to damages occurred to a portion of railway track from flooding in previous August, which would be resumed from 17th Feb.
The minister said that during talks, the issues of purchasing new tracks, freight trains and engines from India also cropped up, and India has assured of all possible assistance in this condition.
He said that the Indian recommendation to run the Monabao- Khokhrapar train service would be discussed at the foreign office levels.
http://www.paktribune.com/news/index.shtml?168918
Wednesday February 14, 2007
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and India have agreed to resume the discontinued Thar express services from 17th of this month.
This was stated by the Federal minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmad During his meeting with Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Satya Barata Pal.
During his talks the minister aid that an amount of Rs. 500 million would be spent for providing all the suitable amenities to passengers at the Wagah Zero point and Khokara par Monabao junctions.
The minister said that the previous travel link from Monabao junction had to be suspended due to damages occurred to a portion of railway track from flooding in previous August, which would be resumed from 17th Feb.
The minister said that during talks, the issues of purchasing new tracks, freight trains and engines from India also cropped up, and India has assured of all possible assistance in this condition.
He said that the Indian recommendation to run the Monabao- Khokhrapar train service would be discussed at the foreign office levels.
http://www.paktribune.com/news/index.shtml?168918
Deep-water container port planned at Keamari Groyne
KARACHI (February 15 2007): Karachi Port Trust (KPT) is developing Pakistan Deep Water Container Port at east of Keamari Groyne as a major regional transit and trans-shipment hub for handling current and future generation vessels.
In this regard, the pre-qualification notice for hiring contractors is issued by the KPT for dredging works of basin and approaches, the reclamation and the marine protection work to develop the new deep-water container port. In addition, KPT would retain an option to enhance scope of work by adding Dredging and Reclamation of Cargo Village and Reconstruction of Berths projects.
The feasibility study for Pakistan Deep Water Container Port was conducted by Posford Haskoning of Netherlands in association with HR Wallingford of United Kingdom and Techno Consult International. The study was completed in mid 2005, in which construction of ten berths was recommended at Keamari Groyne to cater the future requirements.
KPT has earlier advertised the project for pre-qualification of concession agreement and has received overwhelming response on the project. Nine consortia have participated namely PSA International Singapore (Singapore), Dubai Port World (Dubai), Macrsk - ARM (Denmark), Hutchison Port Holding (Hong Kong), CMA - CGM (France), ICTSI (UAE), RGL Port International (Kuwait), Gulftainer Company Limited (UAE) and Noor Financial Investment Company (Kuwait) have submitted their pre-qualification documents. The lease of the terminal shall be initially for 25 years extendable for further 25 years.
http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=528875&currPageNo=2&query=&search=&term=&supDate=
KARACHI (February 15 2007): Karachi Port Trust (KPT) is developing Pakistan Deep Water Container Port at east of Keamari Groyne as a major regional transit and trans-shipment hub for handling current and future generation vessels.
In this regard, the pre-qualification notice for hiring contractors is issued by the KPT for dredging works of basin and approaches, the reclamation and the marine protection work to develop the new deep-water container port. In addition, KPT would retain an option to enhance scope of work by adding Dredging and Reclamation of Cargo Village and Reconstruction of Berths projects.
The feasibility study for Pakistan Deep Water Container Port was conducted by Posford Haskoning of Netherlands in association with HR Wallingford of United Kingdom and Techno Consult International. The study was completed in mid 2005, in which construction of ten berths was recommended at Keamari Groyne to cater the future requirements.
KPT has earlier advertised the project for pre-qualification of concession agreement and has received overwhelming response on the project. Nine consortia have participated namely PSA International Singapore (Singapore), Dubai Port World (Dubai), Macrsk - ARM (Denmark), Hutchison Port Holding (Hong Kong), CMA - CGM (France), ICTSI (UAE), RGL Port International (Kuwait), Gulftainer Company Limited (UAE) and Noor Financial Investment Company (Kuwait) have submitted their pre-qualification documents. The lease of the terminal shall be initially for 25 years extendable for further 25 years.
http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=528875&currPageNo=2&query=&search=&term=&supDate=
PQA's capacity to rise over 160 percent in four years
KARACHI (February 15 2007): Diplomats from 40 foreign countries were briefed about the geo-strategic location of Pakistan on the world map and significance of its ports which placed the country in an ideal position to grow and establish itself as a regional hub for international trade.
The briefing was conducted by Chairman, PQA, Vice-Admiral, Asad Qureshi during the visit of diplomats to PQA Wednesday. The diplomats were from Brunei, South Africa, Yemen, Botswana, Congo, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Iraq, Kenya, Kyrgstan, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritania, Niger, Swaziland, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Chairman, PQA also enlightened the guests about the objectives of National Trade Corridor improvement plan for providing efficient transport links, simplification of procedures, reduction in port charges and customs reforms for sustainable growth to reduce cost of doing business in Pakistan to boost exports.
The delegates were informed that with the deepening and widening of channel to 15 meter draught (in all weather) and with the installation of night beacon, the ship handling capacity would also increase from its present capacity and by 2010, with the completion of additional nine terminals, increase in berths shall be 100 percent while annual handling capacity shall increase by 161 percent. They were also briefed about the future development plan in industrial sector at the Port.
http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=528809&currPageNo=2&query=&search=&term=&supDate=
KARACHI (February 15 2007): Diplomats from 40 foreign countries were briefed about the geo-strategic location of Pakistan on the world map and significance of its ports which placed the country in an ideal position to grow and establish itself as a regional hub for international trade.
The briefing was conducted by Chairman, PQA, Vice-Admiral, Asad Qureshi during the visit of diplomats to PQA Wednesday. The diplomats were from Brunei, South Africa, Yemen, Botswana, Congo, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Iraq, Kenya, Kyrgstan, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritania, Niger, Swaziland, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Chairman, PQA also enlightened the guests about the objectives of National Trade Corridor improvement plan for providing efficient transport links, simplification of procedures, reduction in port charges and customs reforms for sustainable growth to reduce cost of doing business in Pakistan to boost exports.
The delegates were informed that with the deepening and widening of channel to 15 meter draught (in all weather) and with the installation of night beacon, the ship handling capacity would also increase from its present capacity and by 2010, with the completion of additional nine terminals, increase in berths shall be 100 percent while annual handling capacity shall increase by 161 percent. They were also briefed about the future development plan in industrial sector at the Port.
http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=528809&currPageNo=2&query=&search=&term=&supDate=
President approves Rs14 bln Leh Nullah road project
RAWALPINDI: February 15, 2007: President General Pervez Musharraf on Thursday approved construction of a Rs. 14 billion two-lane signal-free road from Chaklala to Katarian along either side of Leh nullah on a fast track basis.
The approval was accorded after a presentation by the Engineer-in-Chief of Pakistan Army, also attended by Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmad, District Nazim Rawalpindi Raja Javed Akhlas and senior officials.
The president directed the uplift of Rawalpindi city and removal of disparities between the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad in civic facilities. He also asked the authorities to simultaneously take up the sewerage disposal and treatment project.
President Musharraf said the Leh nullah road project, to be initiated soon, will address the issues of traffic congestion, environment and mitigate the floods, which have resulted in loss of lives and property in the past and have been a source of concern for the people of Rawalpindi.
The president was informed that there will be no acquisition of land involved in the project and minor encroachments will be re-located. It will be the largest infrastructure and development project in the city.
The Engineer-in-Chief's branch of Pakistan Army and Frontier Works Organisation would be participating in the project for its early completion and to ensure quality of the work.
The Leh nullah, once a fresh water stream, has turned into a serious environmental issue as all the sewerage water of the twin cities passes through it and is a source of flooding in the adjoining localities, particularly during monsoon.
http://www.brecorder.com
RAWALPINDI: February 15, 2007: President General Pervez Musharraf on Thursday approved construction of a Rs. 14 billion two-lane signal-free road from Chaklala to Katarian along either side of Leh nullah on a fast track basis.
The approval was accorded after a presentation by the Engineer-in-Chief of Pakistan Army, also attended by Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmad, District Nazim Rawalpindi Raja Javed Akhlas and senior officials.
The president directed the uplift of Rawalpindi city and removal of disparities between the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad in civic facilities. He also asked the authorities to simultaneously take up the sewerage disposal and treatment project.
President Musharraf said the Leh nullah road project, to be initiated soon, will address the issues of traffic congestion, environment and mitigate the floods, which have resulted in loss of lives and property in the past and have been a source of concern for the people of Rawalpindi.
The president was informed that there will be no acquisition of land involved in the project and minor encroachments will be re-located. It will be the largest infrastructure and development project in the city.
The Engineer-in-Chief's branch of Pakistan Army and Frontier Works Organisation would be participating in the project for its early completion and to ensure quality of the work.
The Leh nullah, once a fresh water stream, has turned into a serious environmental issue as all the sewerage water of the twin cities passes through it and is a source of flooding in the adjoining localities, particularly during monsoon.
http://www.brecorder.com
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