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Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Senate committee seeks halt to new motorways in Punjab
A parliamentary body has raised serious concerns over the inclusion of dozens of unapproved schemes in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) and called for halting new motorways in Punjab until other provinces complete ongoing projects. The Senate Standing Committee on Planning, chaired by Senator Quratulain Marri, met the other day to review development allocations and project execution. Officials from the planning ministry revealed that Rs1 trillion was spent in the last fiscal year under PSDP, while 55 projects included in the current fiscal year's programme remain unapproved. The officials assured that No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for new projects would be issued only after a full evaluation by the planning commission. In a detailed briefing, the committee was informed that Rs100 billion had been earmarked for National Highway-5 (N-5) in Balochistan, with seven highway projects included, backed by foreign funding. In addition, for the Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway (M-6), the Islamic Development Bank will fund three sections, while two more will be built under public-private partnerships. Similarly, plans were underway to upgrade the GT Road between Hyderabad and Sukkur. Senator Sadia Abbasi deplored the state of Islamabad's main public library, lamenting that the "books have been infested with termites". She announced plans for a new Allama Iqbal Research Centre and Library in the capital and insisted that development funds must be properly utilised. "Our remarks are often wrongly interpreted by officials as being anti-minister or anti-government," she added. The senator also questioned the necessity of establishing a new national heritage centre, saying multiple overlapping institutions were being created without a clear need. The chairperson echoed the concerns, stressing the importance of accountability in development spending. She said that no new motorways should be constructed in Punjab until underdeveloped provinces complete their existing motorway projects. Senator Manzoor Kakar urged the authorities to give top priority to completing the York-Zhob section of National Highway-50 (N-50), as it holds critical importance for Balochistan. Meanwhile, the National Highway Authority (NHA) informed the committee of plans to build a 16-kilometre-long motorway from Lahore to Raiwind, drawing criticism from Senator Marri, who questioned, "Are you building a motorway just for one house?"
Business Recorder
15-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Gwadar development: Senate panel calls for concrete steps
ISLAMABAD: Senator Quratulain Marri stressed that basic need such as water supply must be prioritised over tourism in Gwadar. 'A master plan is not just about tourism; it must first ensure the welfare of local residents.' Presiding the Senate Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, to review key development initiatives, project delays, and progress under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2024–25, here on Thursday, Senator Marri asked for a clear strategy on how proposed investments would yield tangible incentives for development in the region. The secretary Ministry of Communications briefed the committee, on the Sukkur Karachi Motorway project and ongoing negotiations with the Government of Azerbaijan. He noted that discussions have also been initiated with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) with expectations that the bank will fund Section IV (Naushehro Feroz Ranipur) and Section V (Ranipur Sukkur), and also that there is anticipation to obtain board approval by September 2025. The chairperson, Senator Quratulain Marri, suggested that the project must not face delays beyond September 2025 and called for a detailed list of deliverables along with monthly progress reports to be shared with the committee. On the Hunza-Khunjerab Road, officials informed that 11 damaged sections have been identified, and repair work is underway. The committee also received a briefing on inspection report by Monitoring Wing, Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives on inspection of dam and update on projects of dam construction in Balochistan till date. After reviewing inconsistencies in progress, Senator Marri recommended summoning representatives from WAPDA and the Monitoring and Evaluation team in the next meeting to individually review each dam project and determine causes of delay. In a detailed discussion on the Gwadar Master Plan, the committee reviewed fund allocations, disbursements, and investment strategies. The chairperson committee expressed concern over the delay in the Safe City Project and highlighted a discrepancy: while the Gwadar Development Authority cited reason of lack of funds, the Finance Division confirmed no funding demand was received from the Government of Balochistan. She urged for formal demand procedures to be followed. Senator Manzoor Ahmed raised concerns regarding the protection of small fishermen's rights and questioned the steps taken by the Government of Balochistan in this regard. Senator Marri endorsed his concerns and directed the CPEC Chief Officer, Balochistan, to follow up. Moreover, officials from the Gwadar Development Authority denied the presence of a tanker mafia. Senator Marri expressed that a comprehensive report in July would help clarify the ground realities. The committee was also informed that port charges at Pakistani seaports, particularly Gwadar, and Port Qasim are higher than at any other port in the region. Senator Marri questioned the justification for these higher charges. Officials clarified that the fees are imposed by Customs and the Gwadar Port Authority. The Committee noted that despite Gwadar's strategic importance offering China a reduced maritime route of 2,000 nautical miles compared to the current 10,000 via Xinjiang it remains underutilised. In 2009, 70 ships docked at Gwadar Port, while in 2024, only four arrived. Officials further pointed out that despite being developed after Gwadar, Chabahar Port in Iran is now fully operational, whereas Gwadar remains non-functional. The committee also reviewed fourth quarter PSDP 2024–25 fund utilisation. The secretary Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives (MoPD&SI), stated that total authorisation stands at Rs1,002.46 billion, with the challenge now being full utilisation by 30 June 2025. While reviewing ministry-wise performance, Senator Marri expressed concern over low expenditures: only seven per cent utilised by the Finance Division, four per cent by Maritime Affairs, and 0 per cent by the Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Division. She recommended that detailed fund utilization reports be shared with respective Senate Standing Committees for further review. The meeting was attended by senators, Saadia Abbasi, Shahadat Awan, Jam Saifullah Khan, and Manzoor Ahmed, along with secretaries from the Planning and Communications ministries, chairman NHA, and senior officials from relevant departments. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
22-04-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Delay in execution of Balochistan dam projects irks Senate panel
ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Special Initiatives expressed serious concern over the delay in construction of 23 small and mega dams in Balochistan of total estimated cost of Rs182.837 billion with Rs50.588 billion incurred to date. The committee met with Senator Quratulain Marri in the chair at the Parliament House on Monday. The committee was briefed on dam projects in Balochistan. It was told that a total of 23 dams —11 small and 12 mega— were planned. The total estimated cost was Rs182.837 billion, with Rs50.588 billion incurred to date. The committee chairperson expressed serious concern over the five-year delay in dam construction and directed that project-wise details be presented at the upcoming meeting. The committee was briefed on construction of dams in Balochistan, the Sukkur-Hyderabad-Karachi Motorway, and realignment of the Karakoram Highway and the development projects of Gwadar. The Ministry of Finance briefed the committee on development projects in Balochistan and reported that Rs50 million had been released to the province. This statement was endorsed by the Assistant Chief of Planning and Development, Balochistan. The chairperson, with the consensus of committee members, recommended completing the ongoing projects before initiating new ones. The committee noted the consecutive absence of the secretary of Communication in its fourth meeting. The chairperson expressed serious concerns over the officer's negligence and directed that summon be issued in his name for disregarding the Senate Committee. The committee summoned the Secretary Communication in the next meeting. While addressing the chairperson's concern regarding the deteriorated condition of the road from Hunza to Khunjerab, the National Highways Authority (NHA) representative explained that the damage was due to the frequent movement of heavy machinery and construction materials for the construction of the Bhasha and Dasu dams. The chairperson, in consultation with committee members, stated that a meeting would be arranged in Hunza to witness the road conditions firsthand. The committee was also briefed on international collaboration prospects, particularly regarding road infrastructure discussions with the Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan during a recent visit. The minister of state for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives stated that the prime minister had assured in various meetings that the Sukkur-Hyderabad-Karachi Motorway project would begin on a priority basis with PSDP funding if foreign funds are not available. While providing an update on the projects in Gwadar, it was told to the committee that a 253km road has been constructed as per the Master Plan road network. A 50-bed hospital has been constructed on 68 acres, a state-of-the-art school has been built on 84 acres, public parks covering 20 acres have been developed, and 300 acres have been reserved for the establishment of a sports complex. The chairperson raised the issue of fund releases in relation to project progress in the province and directed that a detailed report on all projects be submitted at the next meeting. She suggested that the committee and concerned authorities consider developing Gwadar to international standards and take concrete steps to attract investors and tourists. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
20-02-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Senate panel directs start of motorway project this fiscal
The Senate Standing Committee on Planning directed the authorities concerned to start the construction of the Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway in the current fiscal year, noting that building big roads was the responsibility of the federal government. The committee which met here with its Chairperson Quratul Ain Marri in the chair, expressed its dissatisfaction with lack of planning for the flagship 'Uraan Pakistan' programme as the ministry officials failed to reply questions from the members. During the meeting, Planning Ministry officials briefed the participants about the Uraan Pakistan programme. They said that the country's exports would rise to $40 billion in the current fiscal year, while the government targeted to increase them to$60 billion in the next five years. Committee member Shahadat Awan raised the issue of water problem in the country and asked the ministry about any plan to mitigate this issue. He also enquired whether the provinces had been taken into confidence on the issue of construction of six new canals from the Indus river. However, the ministry officials could not satisfy the committee on Uraan Pakistan. The chair observed that the Uraan Pakistan programme or its "vision is good, but what will be the implementation procedure?" Another committee member, Zeeshan Khanzada said that the ministry did not have the details regarding the implementation of the programme. He complained that the relevant authorities, including the planning minister, were also not available in the meeting to provide answers. At the outset of the meeting, the chair expressed her displeasure at the absence of the minister. Marri told the committee that the meeting was delayed until February 19 at the request of the office of the minister, yet his did not attend.
