Islamabad (TDI): Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal on Friday directed the authorities to complete Balochistan’s road infrastructure projects worth Rs400 billion within three years.
He issued these directives while chairing a review meeting of ongoing projects under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2024-25. During the meeting, the officials briefed the minister on allocations, released funds and expenditures on development projects across the country.
He directed the officials to devise a comprehensive plan for the timely completion of the ongoing projects.
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Speaking about road infrastructure projects in Balochistan worth Rs400 billion, the minister directed the officials of the Planning Ministry to complete them in three years. These projects include the three projects of N-25 dualization of the Khuzdar-Kuchlak section of the National Highway, the dualization and rehabilitation of the Karachi-Quetta-Chaman road from Karachi- Karoro & Wadh- Khuzdar, and the dualization of Kararo- Wadh Section and Kuchlak-Chaman Section at a total cost of Rs. 224 billion.
Other projects of M-8 are the construction of the Hoshab-Awaran-Khuzdar Section-II and Hoshab-Awaran-Kiwzer Package-I, the construction of the Gwadar-Ratodero road project and the construction of the Wangu Hills Tunnel at a total cost of Rs96 billion. And two more Balochistan projects the dualization & Improvement of the existing N-50 from the Yarik-Sagu-Zhob Bypass Rs76 billion, and the Rehabilitation & Upgradation of the long Awaran-JhaliJao Road worth Rs7 billion Projects.
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Near-completion projects a priority: Ahsan Iqbal
The minister also directed authorities to ensure the efficient and timely utilization of development funds. He also stressed coordination with the relevant ministries with regard to funds for the next quarter, especially for projects running with external assistance, to avoid any delay in funds disbursement.
He stressed that the near-completion projects with 80 percent completed status should be expedited with the necessary funding.
“Externally assisted projects should also be completed quickly so that they could be replaced with new projects,” he added.
