Plan to improve traffic




By Our Staff Correspondent

FAISALABAD, Feb 16: Lyallpur Town nazim Rana Zahid Mahmood has said that more than 100 multi-storey plazas and shops constructed over a drain along the Circular Road would be demolished and the shopkeepers would be given alternative space.

Presiding over a meeting of the town officials here on Thursday, he said the decision had been taken in the light of increasing volume of traffic on the road.

He ordered the officials concerned to complete the paper work of the project within three days so that the plan could be implemented with full force and solid planning.

Mr Mahmood said a comprehensive development plan would also be presented to President Musharraf during his visit of the city and efforts would be made for getting maximum funds for the Lyallpur Town. All eight bazaars around the Clock Tower would be constructed on modern lines by removing encroachments and haphazard signboards, he added.

He said four parking plazas would be constructed in the heart of the city to cater to the needs of parking and resolve the longstanding problem of the motorists.

Ten major parks and gardens of the town would be upgraded and modernized under the programme while the Fatima Jinnah Garden meant for women would be beautified.

He said due to heavy volume of traffic on Sargodha Road, it would be converted into six-lanes and the project would be started soon for which the Punjab government had already approved funds.

He asked the councillors to present their suggestions and projects so that they could be included in the comprehensive plan for approval from the president.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/02/17/nat30.htm

Conservation plan for Moenjodaro


By Our Correspondent

LARKANA, Feb 16: The federal government has approved a master plan to undertake massive conservation work at Moenjodaro in collaboration with the Moenjodaro and Conservation and Research Cell (MCRC) at the site.

The National Site Director of Moenjodaro and the Director Southern Wing of the Department of Archaeology Qasim Ali Qasim said at Moenjodaro on Thursday that the plan being the first phase of larger master plan would cost an amount Rs 35.5 million.

A meeting held on February 7, in Islamabad was given a go ahead with the plan with the instructions to prepare a larger master plan by the end of June this year, he said. Under the new plan not only a huge conservation work involving indigenous methodologies at the site would be carried out but also a new museum along with all necessary facilities for visitors would be constructed.

He said that lion’s share of the total cost of the plan would be spent on conservation work.

Referring to recent extensive meetings between federal secretary and provincial secretary culture Sindh, Mr Qasim said that Ms Mehtab Akbar Rashdi had been made the chairperson of a steering committee with the federal joint secretary culture, director general archaeology and director archaeology southern wing as its members.

More members would be included in the committee, he said. Responding to a question about the process of decentralization of the department of archaeology, he said that Sindh had agreed to take over 128 protected monuments scattered throughout the province.

The prime minister would chair a meeting on 18 February in Islamabad in this connection, he said adding that it was expected that a decision regarding decentralization would come up on the day. At the outset when proposals were floated for the devolution of the department of archaeology, the National Reconstruction Bureau put forth certain objections but later on withdrew agreeing over the decentralization, he said.

The national site director of Moenjodaro on Thursday held meetings with the staff at the site and told this correspondent that execution work on the first phase of master plan would start soon.

He advocated utilisation of the services of the local experts to conserve and preserve the giant structures of the Indus Valley civilization.



http://www.dawn.com/2006/02/17/nat39.htm

LARKANA: Plan to set up judicial enclave in Larkana




By Our Correspondent

LARKANA, Feb 16: Under the access to justice programme launched in cooperation with the Asian Development Bank, a judicial enclave will be established in the city.

Sources in the district government told this correspondent that it would cost Rs34.68 million in the first phase of the programme to construct 12 residential bungalows.

The accommodation will be provided from the judicial magistrate to the additional session’s judge, ensuring equal facility and comfortable environment.

A plot measuring 9.27 acres worth Rs80 million cost had been provided free of cost for the construction of the judicial enclave adjacent to the Sindh High Court, Larkana circuit bench.

These 12 units will be ready till October 2005.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/02/17/local28.htm

MITHI: ‘Reverse osmosis’ water plant in Mithi opens

By Prem Shivani

MITHI, Feb 19: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim here on Saturday inaugurated a ‘reverse osmosis plant’ and laid the foundation stone of ‘Thar Lodge’ in Islamkot.

Installation of the reverse osmosis plant will ensure provision of potable water to people of the area. The Thar Lodge, a 20-room accommodation, is being established by the Sindh Coal Authority and the ministry of mines and mineral development to facilitate foreign and local investors.

Speaking at a gathering at the Islamkot circuit house, the chief minister claimed that previous governments had not initiated any significant development work in the backward region of Thar which was even deprived of potable water facility.

He, however, said the present government had laid a network of roads in the area and water was being provided through pipelines from Naokot to Mithi, Mithi to Islamkot, Islamkot to Thahario Halepoto and a number of villages in the vicinity.

He said non-availability of potable water being the main issue of Thar, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz during his election campaign had announced that reverse osmosis plants would be installed in different villages of the region to convert saline water into sweet water. He said one of such plants was functioning in Chelhar and the second had been started in Islamkot with the capacity to provide 75,000 gallons of water to people.

He said the Sindh government was exploring the possibility of establishing 10 more such plants in Thar. He said installation of solar plants in villages which did not have electricity facility was also under consideration.

Dr Rahim said the government was making efforts to construct a 600MW coal-fired power plant at the Thar coal field with the cooperation of the Shenhua Group Corporation of China. He added that a team of the company was already busy in drilling in the coal area.

He said the government was formulating a comprehensive policy to compensate and resettle residents of different villages situated in the coal area who were likely to be displaced.

About reopening of the Khokhrapar route, he said it would enable divided families to visit each other while incurring low expenses and less time.

Sindh Mines and Mineral Development Minister Irfanullah Marwat claimed that 99 per cent of the country’s coal, and 95 per cent of granite and 80 per cent of other minerals existed in Tharparkar.

He appreciated the role of the Chinese team working in the area. He said installation of reverse osmosis plants in remote areas of Thar would ensure provision of potable water.

The Sindh secretary for mines and mineral development, Abdul Hameed Akhund, said Thar had great potential for development and promotion of tourism and a plan was under consideration to establish a desert museum in the Khetlari village. MPA Rajvir Singh also spoke on the occasion.

MPAs Arbab Abdullah, Abdul Razzaq Rahimoo and Ramesh Kumar, Tharparkar District Nazim Arbab Anwar and Sindh Coal Authority director-general Syed Abbas Ali Shah and other officials attended the ceremony.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/02/20/local27.htm

This is nice project because this area of pakistan is far behind from rest of the country but it is rich with natural resources, people don't have ordinary facilities here.Tourisam is also very important point to explore this area through this industry Govt can bring prosperity in the life of the people.
one point which i want share with u guys is that "this area is very suitable far desert jeep racing because sandy hills"as we saw many times in gulf countries.I don't remember what that race called as? somethin like off the road.share ur knowledge plz!!

Rs1.9bn for Multan ring road

MULTAN, Feb 20: District Nazim Mian Faisal Mukhtar has announced here on Monday that the provincial government has allocated Rs1.9 billion for the construction of much-needed ring road for Multan.

Speaking at a press conference, the nazim said the ring road was need of the hour to address the mounting pressure of vehicular traffic in and around the city. He paid rich tributes to Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi for taking keen interest in the development of Multan.

He said the construction of southern and northern bypasses would also be initiated this year with the collaboration of the National Highway Authority. He said an amount of Rs400 million had been earmarked to resolve the sewerage problem of the city once for all.

The nazim said that a comprehensive housing policy for the district was in the pipeline which would help discourage unauthorised and substandard housing colonies. He advised the people to invest only in those housing schemes which were approved by the Multan Development Authority.

He further announced that a housing scheme comprising 2,000 acres of land would soon be introduced in the name of University Town on the Bosan Road.

Similarly, he added, a housing scheme would be introduced in Sher Shah Town as well. He said the last date for the submission of application forms for MDA’s Fatima Jinnah housing scheme was being extended up to March 4. —Correspondent

http://www.dawn.com/2006/02/21/nat27.htm

Over Rs2bn budget for Attock approved




By Our Correspondent

ATTOCK, Feb 21: The district council has approved the annual budget of Rs2.519 billion for year 2005-06, with Rs1.624 billion allocation for non-development and Rs894.421 million for development expenditures.

An amount of Rs1,594 million has been allocated for construction of roads and buildings, Rs35 million for Drought Emergency Relief Assistance (Dera) programme and Rs80 million for completion of ongoing development schemes.

District Nazim Maj (retired) Tahir Sadik Khan presented the budget in a special budget session here at district council hall on Tuesday. The session was presided over by convener Malik Sameen Khan.

The nazim said a major portion of the development budget would be spent on education, health, provision of electricity and water, with education sector being the top priority. As such, Rs30 million would be spent on the construction of education university, and about 100 kanals had been already allocated by the district government for the purpose.

Similarly, 300 kanals have been allocated for the construction of an information technology university in the district, while approval of Rs480 million is under consideration of the Higher Education Commission. This amount, if approved, would be spent on the construction of the university building.

The district nazim told the house that a campus of engineering university Taxila would also be set up in Attock during the current year, and that the district government had already allocated land for the purpose.

He said Rs430 million would be spent on 874 electrification schemes and Rs261.756 million on natural gas schemes under prime minister’s grant, Rs155 million on construction of roads, Rs37 million on water supply schemes and Rs20 million on construction of a trauma centre at tehsil headquarters hospital Hassanabdal. An amount of Rs14.935 million has already allocated for purchase of equipment for the hospital, he added.

The district nazim said Rs40 million had been allocated for improvement of basic health units of the district and Rs10 million for upgradation of THQ Hospital Pindigheb. Likewise, Rs20 million would be spent on upgradation of the DHQ hospital, and Rs19.270 million on upgradation of Deaf and Dumb School Attock, where Rs200 monthly stipend would be provided to every student besides provision of new buses for their transport.

With the help of the federal government, Rs20 million would be utilized for drainage schemes at Hassanabdal and Fatehjang tehsils, besides construction of a sports stadium at Fatehjang, he said.

Mr Khan said Rs147 million had been provided by the Punjab government for provision of various facilities at the district’s educational institutes.

The provincial government also provided funds to complete various roads including Khaur-Kot Malyar road, Gharibwal-Toot road, Chura Baba-Ghurghusti road, Chaki-Nulhad road, Nikka Kaln- Toot road, Gali Jagir-Chakri road, Kamrial-Dhoke Ganja road, Sabspir-Turbela road, Sanjwal-Sangjnai road, Sujandabata- Baghneelab road and Dulhain-Fatehjang road. Two other important roads namely Attock-Nawa Bhatiot road and Jand-Dingi Nari road will also be constructed, the nazim said.

Mr Khan said irrigation schemes were very important as Attock was a Barani (arid) area. He said several irrigation schemes had been completed under Dera programme, and five new dams were under construction at Jalwal, Sehwal, Tilakna, Thatti Syedan and Jabba at a cost of Rs 372 million. Besides, four more dams will be constructed at Sidryal, Nulhad, Hajishah and Taja Bara at a cost of Rs476.700 million.

Highlighting the development activities in the district during the last four years, he said the district government had spent Rs4,520 million on 4,224 projects. An amount of Rs2,340 million was spent on construction of roads, Rs800 million on provision of electricity and natural gas, Rs630 million on provision of facilities at educational institutes, Rs480 million on water supply schemes, Rs55 million on irrigation and Rs80 million on health projects, he added.

The district nazim said in future, he would focus on setting up an industrial zone in Attock to with a view to reducing poverty and unemployment, while the Government Postgraduate College would be upgraded to the university level. Besides, all the middle and primary schools would be upgraded, and electricity would be provided to all far-flung areas.

Earlier, when the session started, three members — Hazro Union Council Nazim Dr Malik Naeem Awan of PPP, Attock-II UC Nazim Rana Shuakat Ali Khan of Muttahida Mehnut Kush Muhaz and UC Burhan Nazim Rafaqut Khan of Jamaat-i-Islami — raised objection that they were not provided the budget copies accordingly by the district assembly secretary beforehand, therefore they could not examine the details.

As a protest, Dr Malik Naeem Awan walked out of the council hall and did not return till the end of the session.

On the occasion, many members of the district council, including Turrab UC Nazim Malik Ihtabar and UC Golra Nazim Malik Iftikhar, made suggestions for the uplift of their areas and appreciated the budget.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/02/22/nat12.htm

Moenjodaro site to be preserved: Soomro




By Our Correspondent

LARKANA, Feb 21: Acting President and Senate Chairman Mohammedmian Soomro has said that Moenjodaro is a world heritage and efforts are being made to preserve it. He was talking to a delegation of experts from abroad and journalists at the Moenjodaro airport on Tuesday.

He said archaeologists had given a briefing about the preservation of ancient city and the delegation talked about their suggestions in this regard.

He said the government was keenly interested to implement their proposals.

The acting president said foreign archaeologists and scientists would motivate philanthropists, donor agencies in their countries for the preservation of Moenjodaro aiming at to promote tourism and preserve the site.

The team included Prof (Dr) Amus Nur, Prof Khalid Aziz (Stanford University, California,) Dr Fariha Paracha and Senator Tarique Aziz.

Qasim Ali Qasim, national site director Moenjodaro briefed the tourists and experts.

Prof (Dr) Amus Nur of the department of earth sciences of the Stanford University visited the site to assess causes of its destruction.

He is working on his hypothesis “Indus cities— how they were destroyed”.

The theory is based on earthquakes contribution towards abandonment of Harapan cities.

He along with Prof Khalid Aziz of the petroleum department had earlier visited sites of the same period in Taxila, Sehwan and Dholavera (Kutch).

Prof Amus Nur rejected all theories about the destruction of Indus civilization and added that it were earthquakes that had destroyed the Indus cities.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/02/22/nat24.htm

how about you delete the hyderabad the quetta projects/news and combine it with this...

Faisalabad likely to get Rs10bn package

By Our Staff Correspondent

FAISALABAD, Feb 28: City District Nazim Rana Zahid Tauseef has said the chief minister will shortly visit Faisalabad to review arrangements for the forthcoming visit of President Gen Pervez Musharraf and finalize development schemes worth over Rs10 billion.

He told newsmen on Tuesday that Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi was interested in providing maximum funds at the union council level under the mega development plan envisioned by the president for the benefit of the people.

He said the projects were being given final touches and the town administrations had been asked to put forward their policies and schemes at the earliest. The construction of road strips, pavements, water-supply and drainage facilities, upgradation of educational institutions and beautification were part of the plan, he added.

He said a lucrative development package would be announced for the district by the provincial government also so that the local council could prepare its budget having a maximum number of development schemes.

According to Mr Tauseef, the district government was going to start teacher training programme for all government schools so that the academics could impart better and modern education to the pupils.

The nazim said the mega water-supply project was in full swing with the financial assistance of the Japan International Cooperation Agency. The contractors of ongoing schemes, both in urban and rural areas, of the district had been asked to complete their projects within stipulated period so that the people could get maximum benefits from these schemes, he added.

A comprehensive plan had been chalked out to beautify the busy and posh areas under which the publicity boards would be installed.

The nazim said instructions had been issued for smooth flow of traffic in the city areas. The anti-encroachment drive would continue unabated and none would be allowed to grab the state land at any cost, he warned.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/01/nat39.htm

Overall poverty reduced by 6.7%: PM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ISLAMABAD, FEB 28 (SANA): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that overall poverty in the country has declined by 6.7% and unemployment rate for the current year fallen to 6.8%.

Chairing National Economic Council meeting Tuesday, he said the expected GDP growth is close to 6.5 to 7 % in FY 2006 and the additional fiscal space created mainly due to better revenue collection and debt management has allowed government to increase development expenditure and the development spending today is all times high.

Quoting from the findings of Pakistan Social Living Standards Measurement Survey 2004-2005 which has been conducted by the government in collaboration with donor agencies, the prime minister said overall poverty in the country has gone down from 32.1% in 2001 to 25.4% in 2005, . Urban poverty has reduced from 22.7% in 2001 to 17.2% in 2005 and! rural poverty has gone down from 39% in 2001 to 31.8% in 2005 and this reflects broad-based and wide spread impact of economic growth and structural reforms.

The Prime Minist! er said that economic growth, driven by manufacturing and services, is expected to maintain its momentum despite the tragic loss of life and large scale destruction following the catastrophic earthquake that hit Northern Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir and spikes in oil prices surging to $ 70 per barrel and the government is expecting GDP growth close to 6.5-7% in FY06, well within the targeted growth target of 6 to 8%.

“The mid term! economic review results show the economy had the strength to absorb major socks and maintain the growth momentum. The indicators have also reinforced our belief that we are on the right path leading towards progress and prosperity,” the Prime Minister said.

Briefing the meeting on the future vision of the government, the Prime Minister said our vision 2030 will be focused on energy security, water security, food security, up gradation of infrastructure, better logistics, end-to-end supply chains, new technology to improve productivity and sustain growth as well as competitiveness.

He said other thrust areas of government policy include addressing the skills gap and quality education needs to develop human capital to enhance export of services, and developing a domestic knowledge base and core competencies critical to our industrial growth and securing niches global markets. The government will also take steps to prepare the country to benefit from the opportunities that might unleash through Central Asia or Western China.

Referring to initiatives taken by the government to accomplish the vision the Prime Minister mentioned construction of 5 large dams, national trade corridor with improved logistics, negotiations for gas pipelines and exploring alternate energy resources, plans for development of industrial parks , textile and garments cities, steps to improve supply chains, establishment of National Technical and Vocational training Authority, Clean Drinking water for all project, electricity and gas to all by 2007, improving health services, and up gradation of mega cities.

Commenting on the salient features of economic policy that led to socio economic improvement the Prime Minister said the strong and sustained economic growth over the last several years is underpinned by our economic philosophy based on deregulation, liberalization, and privatization, truly home grown wide-ranging and deep structural reforms consensus, continuity, consistency and transparency in our policies, growing domestic demand and renewed confidence of the private sector, improved fiscal discipline and debt restructuring with currency stabilization, rising public sector development spending, robust performance industrial sector, expanding services sector, aggressive privatization program, higher foreign direct investment, strong revenue performance, expanding trade, buoyant capital markets with KSE index growing by 53.7%, public debt declining to 55.7% of GDP, creation of 5.54 million jobs during Ist July 2004 to September 2005 and a stable political situation.

Concluding the Prime Minister said Pakistan has come a long way out of the economic wilderness. “We were never destined to remain poor, weak, and marginalized. We are confident that with stron! g and unwavering leadership, staying on course, passion, hard work, consistency, sincerity, and focused direction and approach, our nation has the ability and determination to achieve its destiny to be a progressive, developed, moderate Islamic State”.

He said there is no room for complacency and government will take steps to bring down inflation as well as the interest rate regime, prepare the country to cope with any global downturn, bridge the skills, redistribute wealth and create jobs for an increasing labour force and develop human resource and institutional capacity, the Prime Minister said that it is expected that agriculture income, both farm and non-farm, is likely to be leading source of aggregate demand as agriculture sector comprises 23% of GDP, employing over 42% of labour force and contributes over 60% of total exports.

HYDERABAD: International trade fair in Hyderabad planned




Bureau Report

HYDERABAD, March 8: The district government, in collaboration with the Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, will hold the “Hyderabad International Trade Fair-2006” in October and November to boost economy of the district by introducing local products in the international market.

This was stated by DCO Mohammad Sharif Awan at a meeting with office-bearers of the HCCI at his camp office here on Monday.

The DCO said India, Sri Lanka, Iran, China, Nepal and Bangladesh had confirmed their participation in the trade fair while consent of many other countries was awaited. He hoped that the number of participating countries would increase.

He said Hyderabad had expertise in manufacturing shoes, bangles, automobile, handicrafts, garments and ceramics. He said introduction of these products at the international level was essential to boost Hyderabad‘s economy and introduce it as an international city.

He said the district government had planned multidimensional programmes to make Hyderabad a modern city where people enjoyed all basic facilities, including job and trade opportunities.

Praising the HCCI for its role in development of the city, the DCO said such trade fairs would enhance investment opportunities in the district and, thus, eliminate unemployment and raise the purchasing power of people.

The meeting discussed matters pertaining to the trade fair, including selection of venue, provision of lodging to foreign delegates, security and facilities of electricity and water supply at the venue.

The DCO said a comprehensive plan was being chalked out under which required facilities would be provided to participants of the fair.

HCCI president Masood Pervez said the purpose of the trade fair was to introduce unique products of Hyderabad in the international market and attract foreign investors. He said such activities would open new avenues of business in the city.


http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/09/local28.htm

Rs10m for uplift of Qissakhwani Bazaar




Bureau Report

PESHAWAR, March 11: Qissakhwani Bazaar will be developed at a cost of Rs10 million, district Nazim Ghulam Ali announced here on Saturday. A press release issued here said that on his visit to the Bazaar, the Nazim said the district government was keen to preserve the historical heritage of the city.

He said eight-feet-wide footpaths of marble would be constructed along the roads of the bazaar. Funds for the project had been released and NWFP Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani would lay the foundation stone of the project within a week, he added.

Approximately, 100,000 people who pass through the Bazaar daily would benefit from the project, he said.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/12/nat12.htm

HYDERABAD: Nazim promises low-cost housing schemes




Bureau Report

HYDERABAD, March 12: District Nazim Kanwar Naveed Jamil has said concentration of population in certain areas of the city has damaged the infrastructure and placed people in miserable conditions.

He was speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony of a 1.5 MGD water supply scheme for the Kohisar extension housing scheme in Latifabad on Saturday.

Referring to wrong planning of housing schemes in which some people had followed the policy of vertical development, the nazim said the district government had prepared an extensive plan for the city.

He said the infrastructure would be replaced, low-cost housing schemes would be taken up and all basic facilities would be provided in the city and its adjoining areas.

He said another city extension plan to ensure horizontal development and, thus, reduce population pressure, help poor people and make development schemes of the city sustainable was also under consideration.

In the first phase, he said, about 5,000 acres of land had been identified in Kohisar, Latifabad taluka, and a survey of government land in other areas of the city was in progress.

Mr Jamil said he had directed managements of the Hyderabad Development Authority and other departments concerned to complete the survey and town planning within shortest possible time so that the plan could be implemented in the current tenure of the local government.

He said that keeping in view the shortage of 30,000 residential units in Hyderabad, the district government had decided to revive the abandoned Kohisar extension residential scheme spread over 200 acres of land.

The scheme had been prepared by the HDA in 1992 but soon after it had been cancelled by the then chief minister.

The nazim said the district government had also restored allotments of 7571 plots of 80 square yards for Rs20,000 each. He said the local government would bear external development charges.

He said the Kohisar project’s water supply scheme would cost Rs28 million.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/13/local23.htm

HYDERABAD: Rs1.2bn to be spent on road project




Bureau Report

HYDERABAD, March 16: District Nazim Kanwar Naveed Jamil has said the local government plans to spend Rs1.2 billion on development of roads to provide better communication facilities to people and open new corridors for extension of the city.

Inspecting ongoing works of different roads in urban talukas of the district on Thursday, he said that out of this amount, road schemes up to the cost of Rs500 million had been submitted to the Sindh PDWP for approval and other schemes were being prepared by the district government.

He said that in addition to this plan, the district government was implementing 116 schemes of the road sector at a cost of Rs372.613 million.

The nazim said 40 development road schemes were being carried out in the City taluka at a cost of Rs125.446 million, 30 schemes at a cost of Rs103.588 million in the Latifabad taluka, 17 schemes at a cost of Rs90.704 million in the Qasimabad taluka and 29 schemes in the Hyderabad taluka (rural) at a cost of Rs52.875 million.

He said that besides construction of a flyover at the railway crossing in Latifabad-7, the district government was conducting a survey for constructing more flyovers, especially at roundabouts where traffic congestion was being experienced.

He said a scheme to protect and preserve heritage of Hyderabad had also been prepared under which historical buildings would not only be repaired and renovated but would also be declared heritage property.


http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/17/local23.htm

HYDERABAD: Funds allocated for renovation of shrine lapse




By M. H. Khan

HYDERABAD, March 16: The 262nd Urs celebrations of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai will conclude on Friday but the renovation and repair work for which Rs25 million had been allocated by former Sindh Chief Minister Sardar Ali Mohammad Mahar in April 2003 was not taken up by the Auqaf Department and the fund lapsed in November last year. The infrastructure in and around the shrine remained in a bad shape. Sardar Ali Mohammad Mahar had allocated the fund which was to be utilised for beautification and renovation of mazar and thanks to the efforts of the then Auqaf Minister Dr.Irfan Gul Magsi the fund was released on time.

The funds were to be spent on air-conditioning of the shrine and the adjacent mosque, sound system, installation of lights, extension of courtyard, construction of rest house and purchase of generators.

Dr Irfan Gul Magsi while briefing Mr Mahar on April 7, 2004 had informed him that the project would be completed within two years and 70 per cent of work would be completed during the year.

However, due to bureaucratic delays at government level the work could not begin despite lapse of almost three years.

The tenders were now to be floated after conclusion of current celebrations. The Auqaf Department officials said that “delay was on account of non-appointment of project director and non-availability of technical adviser in the Auqaf Department with the result that Rs21.884 million, released by finance ministry lapsed on November 28 last year”. According to an Auqaf official, the incumbent chief minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has re-appropriated the said amount now and promised to ensure release of Rs15 million to Auqaf before the end of current fiscal year.

The air-conditioning of the shrine and mosque stood deleted from project as CM’s Inspection Team (CMIT) opposed it for technical reasons.

It also opposed construction of Auqaf’s shopping centre but still it is part of project.

The family of Sajjada Nasheen had opposed construction of shopping centre opposite to his houses and those of “faqirs” of Bhittai.

According to Auqaf Chief Administrator, Imdad Ali Awaisi, an intimation regarding release of Rs7.5 million has been received while tenders of Rs24 million would be floated on March 21. “Majority of Shrines of Auqaf are facing a deficit in Sindh while the Shrine of Bhittai is on no loss and no profit”, he said but admitted that inner space of Bhittai’s Shrine needs expansion.

A visit to Bhitshah revealed that the Cultural and Auqaf Department officials were unable to maintain their infrastructure for what they claimed shortage of funds for meeting recurring cost on the maintenance. The civil administration has been unable to even get the Shrine cleared of heavy encroachments, causing hardships to the visitors including women and children.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/17/local21.htm

Mega projects for Pindi planned




By Our Reporter

RAWALPINDI, March 16: Mega development projects worth billions of rupees would be launched by the Rawalpindi Development Authority during next five years. These projects include revamping of sewerage system, construction of roads along Leh Nullah, widening of Marir Chowk, Tipu Road underpass, construction of a ring road (expressway), and Chirah and Daducha Dams, said RDA Director-General Brig (retired) Parvez Mehmood Khan while giving a briefing on the uplift projects.

He said Jinnah Park was already under construction at the site of old jail. The park, which is being built according to international standards, will cost Rs115 million.

It will provide many facilities like walking tracks, children’s play area and fast food outlets among other entertainment facilities, he said, adding that the inaugural ceremony would be held by the end of this month.

He said rehabilitation of Liaquat Bagh would also be carried out, and in this regard Rs50 millions had already been released. He said a fist (Mukkah) monument of Liaquat Ali Khan would be installed at the park besides a new gate, a stage and arrangements for water supply and sewerage.

He said due to special interest of provincial minister Mohammad Basharat Raja and Potohar Town Nazim Hamid Nawaz Raja in the project, donations worth Rs20 million had also been collected.

Brig Khan said a children’s park, a women’s park, and cricket and baseball grounds would be built near Liaquat Hall.

Likewise, about Rs1.1 billion was to be spent on construction of 6-km road from Kutchery Chowk to Flying Club besides a 1-km service road, a flyover and improvement of seven intersections. The PC-1 of the project has been approved by the Central Development Working Party, however, approval of Executive Committee of National Economic Council is awaited.

On Rashid Minhas Road, a fly-over and underpass will be built at a cost of Rs700 million to ease traffic flow on Murree Road. The project designing and planning is being carried out by Nespak.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/17/nat12.htm

Efforts on to provide safe drinking water by 2007: PM




By Our Reporter

ISLAMABAD, March 16: The government is making all out efforts to provide safe drinking water to all under the Khushal Pakistan Programme by taking both curative and preventive measures to achieve the objective by 2007.

This was stated by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz while talking to Environment Minister Maj (retired) Tahir Iqbal who called on him at the Prime Minister’s House on Thursday.

Mr Aziz said 6,035 water filtration plants would be installed throughout the country by 2007 at a cost of Rs10 billion. In addition to this, provincial and local governments, NGOs and private sector will be asked to contribute to the government’s efforts and set up water filtration plants at parks, petrol pumps and factories etc.

The environment minister informed the prime minister that under phase one of safe drinking water programmes, 445 treatment plants would be installed by the end of June this year.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/17/nat15.htm

‘Rs135 billion being spent on Balochistan development’




By Our Correspondent

QUETTA, March 16: Chief Secretary K.B. Rind has said that the federal government is spending Rs135 billion on a programme to bring Balochistan on a par with developed areas of the country.

Speaking to the participants of the 84th management course of the Administrative College, Lahore, on Thursday the official said that work on large projects and other schemes had been accelerated and people would soon start getting benefits.

He said peace was necessary for development activities and the government had taken steps to ensure continuation of the process.

He said huge funds were needed to provide a good communications system to the scattered population in the province.

Mr Rind said completion of the Gwadar project would play a big role in the progress of Balochistan. The project would provide job opportunities and civic facilities to youths. The Kachhi canal project, he said, would give a boost to agriculture.

He said some tehsils in two districts were facing law and order problems but the trouble would not affect development activities in other districts.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/17/nat18.htm

HYDERABAD: Six low-cost housing schemes launched




Bureau Report

HYDERABAD, March 18: The Sindh Kutchi Abadis Authority has launched six low-cost housing schemes in the province on self-financing basis where 1,200 families are being provided shelter.

This was stated by the acting director-general of the Sindh Kutchi Abadis Authority, Ali Ahmad Lund, at a meeting at the Kutchi Abadi field office here on Saturday.

The meeting was told that to provide shelter to poor families, a scheme of ‘Sasti Basti’ had been introduced in 2001 on directives of the president.

At present, plots are being provided to homeless families in Kotri, Gharo, Thatta, Sukkur, Larkana and Jacobabad and efforts are being made to acquire land for low-cost schemes in Mirpurkhas, Sanghar and Shikarpur. Thereafter, such schemes will be expanded up to taluka level in the entire province.

The director of the Hyderabad field office of the Sindh Kutchi Abadis Authority said 477 plots had been created in Sikandarabad, Kotri, where all utilities had been provided and ‘Sasti Basti’ at Mirbahar Mohalla, Gharo, had been completed.

He identified some problems in acquiring land in Makli and Hala where the cost of land, estimated by the Board of Revenue, was not affordable by poor families. He gave an assurance that the matter would be taken up at the proper forum for fixing a reasonable price of land.

He said lease rights had been given to 11,460 families in the province during the current year and Rs70 million had been recovered.

He said a scheme to upgrade and redevelop the existing kutchi abadis had also been prepared.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/19/local21.htm

MIRPURKHAS: Order to line 168 channels in Umerkot by June




By Our Correspondent

MIRPURKHAS, March 18: The project director of the National Programme for Improvement of Watercourses, Mohammad Younus Dagah, has directed officers concerned to line 168 watercourses in the Umerkot district by June.

He was presiding over a meeting to review progress of the project in Umerkot on Saturday.

Officers concerned told the meeting about the pace of work in their respective areas, cooperation of growers and problems they were facing.

They said 238 applications had been received for lining of watercourses in the district and a survey of 185 watercourses had been completed, 170 of which had been found approved for lining.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/19/local19.htm

HYDERABAD: Rs1.2bn to be spent on development schemes: Qasimabad taluka




Bureau Report

HYDERABAD, March 18: District Nazim Kanwar Naveed Jamil has said the local government will spend over Rs1.2 billion on 25 schemes of communication, sewerage and water supply in the Qasimabad taluka.

He was speaking at a reception hosted by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Qasimabad branch, at the Naseem Nagar chowk on Friday night.

The nazim said the district government would launch 25 projects in the Qasimabad taluka before June 30 at a cost of Rs1,203.90 million. He said work on some of the schemes had already been started.

He said the schemes included construction of the Shaikh Ayaz Road, construction of a road from Ali CNG to the city school, nine other schemes of internal roads of Qasimabad, improvement and capacity building of the Jamshoro filter plant, laying of a 60” diameter water supply pipeline from the Jamshoro filter plant to the Thandi Sarak pumping station, laying of a water supply pipeline from the old filter plant to Sehrish Nagar, installation of a pumping station in the Sheedi village, installation of the Qasimabad sewerage treatment plant, laying of a 24” diameter new sewerage line from Chandia Goth to Gulistan-i-Sajjad, development of the Ranibagh, establishment of a computer laboratory in the Government Boys’ High School, construction of an auditorium in the Government Girls’ High School, establishment of a basic health unit in Sehrish Nagar and installation of two schemes of water purification plants.

He said that a master plan to meet needs up to 2015 and identify and evaluate requirements up to 2025 was being prepared. He pledged that under this plan, the Qasimabad taluka would be developed at par with other areas.

Earlier, Anwar Tunio of Qasimabad announced to join the MQM along with his 200 supporters.

Action demanded: Residents of Ayesha Manzil, Hirabad, have appealed to authorities to take action against a builder trying to raise the fifth floor on the housing project.

Speaking at a news conference at the press club here on Saturday, Anwar Ahmad Khan, Rao Mohammad Ali, Syed Jamil, Abid Qureshi and others urged the district nazim to enforce his orders against construction of multi-storey buildings.

Speaking on behalf of residents, Mr Khan feared that if construction of the fifth floor was not stopped, Ayesha Manzil would collapse because its beams and columns had developed cracks. He said that even otherwise, the builder had nothing to do with Ayesha Manzil because he had sold all flats four years back and it was no longer his property.

He said the fifth floor was not envisaged in the original building plan but the builder, in collusion with the building control department, was trying to raise the floor illegally. He said an application had been sent against the builder to the director-general of the Hyderabad Development Authority and the anti-corruption department informing them that the builder had managed to get approval for the revised plan by paying a huge bribe. He said the HDA official had sent an expert team which had reported that beams, columns and walls of the project had developed cracks. He said the official had then passed an order that no further construction should be carried out.

He, however, said that after sometime, the builder again resumed construction and the HDA director general convened an inquiry in the Shahbaz building on March 9. He alleged that when he went to attend the inquiry, he was issued murder threats by the builder and his hoodlums and he had to seek refuge in the office of the information director.

He said that taking notice of the incident, the DPO ordered registration of an FIR at the cantonment police stations. However, he said, after registration of the FIR the builder was using his influence to get the FIR disposed of as false and was also threatening him with dire consequences.

He appealed for justice.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/19/local18.htm

Rs850 million for flyover




By Our Staff Correspondent

FAISALABAD, March 21: District Nazim Rana Zahid Tauseef has said that a flyover will be constructed at the Abdullahpur intersection with an estimated cost of Rs850 million and the affected people of this project will be paid price of their property according to the market rate.

Speaking at a news conference here on Tuesday, the district nazim accompanied with officials of the communication and works department and Nespak, said the mega project was a gift for the citizens of Faisalabad as it would be impossible for the people to cross Abdullahpur within the next couple of years.

He said a formal approval of the project had been accorded by Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi and the Punjab Communication Minister Chaudhry Zaheeruddin Khan was taking personal attention in this regard.

He said the construction work on this project would be started soon as the engineers had completed their work. High quality material would be used while the design had been prepared from a top class engineering firm, he said.

The nazim said renowned companies involved in construction and engineering fields had declared the project feasible and important for the city traffic. Faisalabad-Sheikhupura dual carriageway had been completed and it would formally be opened soon.

The Nespak engineers briefed the press about the flyover project through multimedia presentation and highlighted its salient features. They said none of the alternative plan could match the importance of flyover at this busy intersection.

A large number of people of Abdullahpur locality and its adjoining areas were also present in the news briefing.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/22/nat31.htm

PESHAWAR: ‘Distt accounts computerised’

PESHAWAR, March 21: NWFP Accountant-General Ahmad Rasool Bangash has said that district budgets and accounts have been computerised in the 24 districts of the province and the seven agencies in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas by implementing the Pifra programme of financial reporting and auditing.

Speaking here on Tuesday at a workshop held for district executive officers, finance, Mr Bangash said the World Bank had provided a loan of Rs85 million for the programme.

He said accounts and other information of the districts and tribal agencies would be linked with the Pifra directorate by September.

He said past record was also being computerised.

He said the programme had introduced good governance, management and a system of checks and balances.

He said record of service, GP fund, salaries, service books and pension cases of officers would also be included in the programme.

He said a delegation of the World Bank during its current visit to the country had declared Peshawar a pilot city for the project.—APP


http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/22/local29.htm

HYDERABAD: Plan to ensure smooth flow of traffic




Bureau Report

HYDERABAD, March 23: District Nazim Kanwar Naveed Jamil has said the local government will construct multi-storey parking plazas in different congested areas of the city to ensure smooth traffic flow on roads. He was presiding over a meeting of the district development committee at his office here on Wednesday.

He said the continuous process of vertical development and irregularities of builders had destroyed the infrastructure of the city and increased congestion, especially on roads in populated areas.

The nazim said that in absence of parking areas, people were compelled to park their vehicles on road sides. He said the trend had aggravated the situation and created traffic problems in the city.

He said he had asked the City taluka nazim to identify areas where multi-storey parking plazas could be constructed. He hoped the scheme would be launched this year.

He said that check on irregularities of builders was also essential for future planning.

He said he had constituted a task force, comprising union council nazims and officers of departments concerned, to conduct a survey of ongoing multi-storey buildings to ensure approved maps were being followed in the projects. He said necessary legislation would also be made in the district council to check irregularities of builders.

Mr Jamil said the district government had not issued a single permission to any builder since it had banned construction of multi-storey plazas in November 2004. However, the projects approved before the ban had been allowed.

He said the district government had asked owners of multi-storey buildings to provide parking space, drainage and water supply facilities, otherwise action would be taken against them.

The nazim directed for constituting three-member development committees at the union council level to monitor the quality of development works and ensure completion of the projects in the stipulated time.

Meanwhile, a 10-member delegation of an NGO, Junior Chamber International, led by its vice-president Nemantha Abeysinghe, called on the district nazim at his office on Wednesday.

The nazim told the delegation that the district government was interested in launching a skill development project for youngsters with a view to providing more business and employment opportunities to them. He hoped the project would help the youth to promote business activities in the city.

Referring to an offer of the NGO about providing training to nazims and councillors, Mr Jamil said the district government was already working on the project.


http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/24/local30.htm

PESHAWAR: New housing scheme for govt employees




Bureau Report

PESHAWAR, March 23: The city district government has been trying to acquire 92,000 kanal for the construction of a township for government employees in the provincial capital. City District Nazim Haji Ghulam Ali told Dawn that a site had been identified for the new settlement and section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act had been invoked in Hazarkhani area, where the proposed township would be built.

After issuing an order under section 4 of the act, sale and purchase of property had been prohibited in three union councils of Town-IV — Hazarkhaniwal, Chamkani and Musazi for an indefinite period.

The district government has planned to build township for the provincial and district government employees on “no loss and no profit basis”.

After the Hayatabad and the Regi township schemes, this will be the third largest planned housing scheme in Peshawar.

Work on the multi-billion Regi township project had been suspended for the last five months owing to land dispute with some local groups, who claimed ownership.

Nazim Ghulam Ali said that despite opposition by some groups the district government would go ahead for land acquisition required for the proposed housing schemes.

He said that after invoking section 4, the District Revenue Officer (DRO) would fix rate for the land to be acquired for the new township scheme. The government would now appoint a land acquisition collector for the purpose of acquiring the said land.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/24/local33.htm

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Rs2.8bn package for Balochistan: District govts to utilise funds




By Amanullah Kasi

QUETTA, March 25: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Saturday announced a special package of 56 per cent of total funds of the Khushhal Pakistan Programme for Balochistan to be utilised by the district governments for development projects.

Speaking to the district nazims at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, he said the government had decided to allocate Rs2.8 billion out of total Rs5 billion allocated for the Khushhal Pakistan Programme for the country.

Mr Aziz said that every district of Balochistan would get Rs100 million from Rs2.8 billion, except Quetta that would receive Rs200 million and Kohlu which had been excluded as President Musharraf had already announced Rs1.5 billion package for it.

He said that district nazims would identify development projects and none of them could utilise the funds for purchasing vehicles, lands, etc.

The premier said monitoring teams would be set up to ensure proper utilisation of funds for the benefit of common man.

Mr Aziz said that the federal government was giving special attention to Balochistan to overcome its backwardness and President Musharraf was keen to provide funds for development projects for the province.

He said that during last six years, huge funds amounting to Rs140 billion had been allocated to accelerate development activities in the province and it would bring progress and prosperity to the people.

Mr Aziz said work on Mirani and Sabukzai dams was under way, Pat Feeder Canal would be extended and construction of the Kachhi canal would change the lives of farmers living in its command area.


http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/26/top12.htm

Sindh seeks Rs3.7bn more




By Ihtashamul Haque

ISLAMABAD, March 25: Sindh has sought Rs3.7 billion special funding from the Centre to urgently rehabilitate the province’s weakening physical and social infrastructure.

Informed sources told this correspondent that Japan was expected to provide Rs3.4 billion to help build 452-kilometre-long new roads in Sindh. The basic objective is to open the province by maximum access.

The Sindh government has informed the federal authorities that the building of the roads will support rural transformation and extensive agriculture development by having improved farm to market roads. It will reduce transport cost to facilitate efficient movement of goods and passengers, enhance mobility of rural communities, including better access to health, education and social amenities.

Sindh has maintained that unemployment in its rural areas was prevalent, where a poor physical and social infrastructure existed. About 72 per cent of its population lives in the rural areas and most of them are directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture for livelihood.

The construction of new roads, the Sindh government has stated, will create new job opportunities for rural men and women by enhancing the use of available inputs and services.

The market towns of the province have been linked with major cities through reasonably adequate roads. However, transport in the agricultural areas is seriously constrained by the absence or poor condition of road connections, resulting in high transport cost and low prices of products being offered to the farmers. Sindh has an area of about 140,914 square kilometres and an estimated population of 30.3 million.

The construction of new roads, the Sindh government believes, will eventually enhance the people’s level of thinking and educational standards, and thus will help increase political activities and awareness due to social inter-linking.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/26/top13.htm

Hyderabad Dist govt and Education Deptt join hands to improve education standard




HYDERABAD: The District Government Hyderabad and the Provincial Education Department have evolved a joint strategy to improve the standard of education in government schools of the district.
This was decided in the meeting of the District Nazim Hyderabad Kanwar Naveed Jameel with the Provincial Secretary Education Department Ghulam Ali Shah Pasha the other day.
The District Coordination Officer Hyderabad Muhammad Sharif Awan, Executive District Officer Education Abdul Majeed Hur and other officers of Provincial Education Department also were present in the meeting.
During the discussion, the Provincial Education Department endorsed the scheme of district government Hyderabad about converting the primary schools into English medium and termed this decision as a milestone for standard education not only in Hyderabad but for leading to other districts as well.
It was decided that Sindh Education Department will design the course for proposed English medium schools and provide training to the teachers of these schools of the district.
It was also decided that non-governmental supervisory system will be introduced in order to ensure cent percent result of this project.
The District Nazim told the meeting that 10 primary schools will be converted into English medium during this year and 100 schools in next year by the District Government Hyderabad in order to provide standard education facilities.
He said that the process would be continued till each part of the district could have such facilities.
The Secretary Education Hyderabad Ghulam Ali Shah Pasha said the District Nazim that Provincial Education Department is already working over the project of converting atleast two primary schools one each for boys and girls into English medium at each taluka of province under its Decentralization of Elementary Education Programme (DEEP).
The District Coordination Officer Hyderabad Muhammad Sharif Awan informed the meeting that District Government is actively working to raise the standard of government schools.
He said that due to our efforts, at present Hyderabad is at the top in government schools in whole country but in the near future it would beat to private sector as well.
However, he said that triangle approach of teachers, parents and management concerned was very much essential to make the planning more success.—APP



http://www.regionaltimes.com/today/heartland/hyderabad.php

Rs29m to be spent on construction of roads




By RT Correspondent
LARKANA: In order to provide communication and transport facilities to the people of upper Sindh, the present government has approved an amount of Rs 29 million for widening, repairing/construction of 05 roads in Larkana region under Annual Development Programme (ADP) 2005-2006.
According to details an amount of Rs 10 million was approved on widening, repair and construction of road from Kandhkot to Malguzar mile 0/0-14/0. Besides an amount of Rs 10 million was also approved for the reconditioning of Kamber-Waggan Road mile 0/0-7/0 i/c construction of Kamber bypass mile 0/0-8/0 total length 15 mile and an amount of Rs. 5 million was approved for repair of Shikarpur city road from Indus highway to bypass via Garhi-Yaseen Nakka Gol-Market road mile 0/0-2/2.
Similarly, an amount of Rs 2 million was also approved for the widening/reconditioning of Thull-Tangwani road mile 0/0-16/0 and an amount of Rs 2 million was also approved for widening and reconditioning of Humayun-Thull bypass i/c link to Mian-jo-Ghot road mile 0/0-18/0.
The above amount was approved under ADP 2005-2006, the work on the schemes will be completed by June-2006.


http://www.regionaltimes.com/today/heartland/rs29.php

http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=403005&currPageNo=1&query=&search=&term=&supDate= (http://)

'Rs 10 billion being spent on Fata uplift'
RECORDER REPORT
PESHAWAR (March 26 2006): NWFP Governor Khalil-ur-Rehman said that the government was following a multi-pronged policy towards the socio-economic uplift of the people of Fata to bring a pleasant change in their life.

For this purpose, he said, apart from infrastructure development, education and health sectors were also the focal points in the government's strategies.

He was talking to a 41-member group of the participants of Air War Course of the Karachi-based PAF Air War College; comprising group captains and wing commanders, who called on him at Governor's House here on Saturday.

The governor said, almost Rs 10 billions were being spent through different packages in the area.

The education development, he remarked, is the crux of every solution required to resolve the problems and meet the challenges being faced by the people as well as the government in Fata.

He said, "we are sparing no efforts to come up to the expectations of the area people."

The delegation, led by Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Ateeb Siddiqui, also included delegates from Nigeria, Jordan, Iran, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Yaman and Turkey.

In response to a query, the governor said, Fata itself was blessed by nature with tremendous mineral resources with marbles and copper at the top and almost 40,000 million tonnes of merely copper are available. Concrete initiatives are underway to make the utilisation of this hidden natural wealth on scientific lines, he added.
He said, the government was encouraging not only the public-private partnership but direct private investment was also being promoted simultaneously.

He added that certain foreign concerns were also taking keen interest to invest especially in the mineral sector in the area.

Responding to another query, the governor said, headway has already been made to promote positive trade and business activities to get rid of the stigma of smuggling and drug trafficking in the area.

In fact, both the smuggling and drug trafficking are the international problems and our role and achievements in this connection are appreciable and encouraging, he added.

Meanwhile, during a briefing, the participants of the course were informed about the salient features of the prevailing socio-economic indicators in Fata.

Ten different packages, costing almost Rs 1. 30 billion are under implementation in the areas, which have recently been made accessible. In response to a point, they were further informed, that nation building departments had been decentralised right to the agency level and effective monitoring system for the development activities had also been ensured in the shape of agency councils and the Governor's inspection team.


Copyright Business Recorder, 2006

30,000 more jobs for Balochistan: No compromise on govt’s writ: Aziz

QUETTA, March 26: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz says the government has approved 30,000 new posts in various departments, including police and Frontier Corps, in Balochistan. He said at a press conference here on Sunday that the appointments would be made over the next two years.

“We will also try to provide jobs to Balochistan’s youth in various departments of the federal government in addition to their quota,” he said.

The prime minister, however, said the government alone could not provide jobs to people and “we will have to encourage the private sector”.

Balochistan had great potential in mining, fisheries, agriculture, tourism, minerals, livestock and other sectors, where huge investments could be made by the private sector, he said.

He urged the people of Balochistan to keep their minds open and be optimistic about foreign investment in the province, and said that the investors would not take their resources away. “The investment will have positive impact on their life as they will get jobs and their areas will make progress,” he said.

He stressed the need for improvement in the law and order situation, saying that investors would invest in the province only when the environment was conducive.

Speaking at a briefing on development schemes in the province, the prime minister said the government was keen to see that the mega projects were completed at an accelerated pace and it would ensure that they were not delayed because of shortage of funds.

He said the government would ensure optimum utilization of resources provided to the province for the schemes.

He said the government would ensure balance between large and small development projects so that people could get better civic amenities, health and education facilities.

He said Rs2.9 billion distributed among district nazims of the province would be spent on water supply, drainage, dispensaries and school projects and the federal government would monitor utilization of the funds.

He said any hurdle in the implementation of large projects would be removed.

He said Balochistan would get an additional Rs6 billion under the NFC award for its development projects. The province had also been provided a debt relief of Rs2.5 billion and a grant of Rs800 million, he said.

The prime minister also gave a cheque for Rs1 million to the Balochi Academy for compilation of a standard Balochi dictionary.—APP

Amanullah Kasi adds: Addressing the press conference and a meeting of the provincial cabinet, the prime minister said the government believed in resolving issues through negotiations but no compromise would be made on its writ, as a peaceful environment was of utmost importance for investment.

He said the federal government would not allow a state within the state. He said subversive acts were neither in the interest of Balochistan nor of the Baloch people.

Mr Aziz said that the federal and provincial government, and law-enforcement agencies, were doing their job but people should also play their role as there would be no progress without a peaceful atmosphere.

The prime minister accused saboteurs of destroying the peace of Balochistan and said that the elements were enemies of the state and also of the patriotic forces and peaceful citizens of the province.

He said the government would continue to work for progress of the province without compromising on principles and religious traditions.

He said he would like to know who was providing rockets and bombs to the killers of innocent people.

Referring to some recent incidents, the prime minister said some elements were trying to pit people, who have been living in the province for centuries, against each other, but he hoped that the conspiracy would be foiled.

He urged provincial ministers to condemn the saboteurs so that people should know that their representatives were openly raising voice against oppression and excesses.

Expressing concern over the killing of 16 Pakistanis by Afghan security forces, Prime Minister Aziz said the government had lodged a strong protest with Afghanistan over the incident. He said general elections would be held in 2007.


http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/27/top2.htm

Salam,
30,000 more jobs for Balochistan

This is really great. 30,000 jobs for Baluchistan is really a lot of jobs. It will help bring Baluch more into mainstream Pakistani society.

Peace.

HYDERABAD: Plan to raise literacy rate

HYDERABAD, March 27: District Naib Nazim Zafar Rajput says the district government has prepared a plan to raise literacy rate in collaboration with different education-oriented organizations to 85 per cent in the district by the end of 2008.

Mr Rajput said during a briefing officials of the Aga Khan Education Service (AKES) gave on Monday him about “Releasing Confidence and Creativity (RCC)” programme at district nazim office, the district was working with various educational organizations to raise the standard of education and increase literacy rate.

Introduction of Early Childhood Education (ECE), English medium in primary schools, RCC programme and other activities under ESRA, DEEP and SDSSP were some of the steps the district had taken in this regard, he said.

The district naib nazim said another purpose behind engaging educational organizations was to ensure the government teachers get the latest teaching expertise to be at par with their colleagues in private sector.

—Bureau

http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/28/local28.htm

Arbab wants Thar Express run from Mirpurkhas




By Our Correspondent

MIRPURKHAS, March 27: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has said that the Sindh government has talked to authorities of the Pakistan Railways to run the Thar Express from Mirpurkhas to Khokhropar to provide job opportunities to people of the area.

“Railways authorities have been approached to run the Thar Express from Mirpurkhas and they say the matter will be processed further following a survey,” Mr Arbab told newsmen after performing stone-laying ceremony for the rehabilitation work on the 12-kilometre Chhore-Rana Jagir road near Umerkot on Saturday.

He said summaries on cases of corruption had been sent to the Anti-Corruption Establishment to punish delinquent officials as per law.

He denied reports about the cabinet expansion and said that implementation of the Thar package had begun. If any official was found involved in corruption, the government would take stern legal action against him, he warned.

He said he gave priority to the establishment of industries in Sindh, and directed the health department and district governments to make efforts for overcoming tuberculosis and hepatitis diseases.

He said his government aimed to spread network of metallic roads in the province. The rehabilitation of the Chhore-Rana Jagir road cost Rs60 million, he said expressing hope it would be completed by June this year.

Work on 64 more road schemes costing over Rs1 billion was going on in the district, he said adding there was a proposal to hand over Hyderabad-Mirpurkhas-Zero point road to National Highway Authority.

Work on the construction of a road between Jalu Jo Chaunro and Khokhropar would begin within a fortnight, he added.


http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/28/nat15.htm

Industrial estate to be set up at Burhan: PM




By Our Correspondent

ATTOCK/TAXILA, March 29: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Wednesday visited his constituency Attock as well as Taxila where he inaugurated Bhattar interchange on Burhan motorway section of M-1 and also performed the ground-breaking of a polytechnic college near Heavy Mechanical Complex, Taxila.

In Attock, the prime minister addressed a public gathering near Bhattar village after inaugurating the interchange.

He said a development package worth Rs1 billion had been announced for the district under which projects like improvement of sanitation, provision of clean drinking water, gas, education, health and construction of roads were underway. He said electricity would be made available to every village in Attock district.

Mr Aziz also announced that an industrial estate would be constructed near Burhan section of Islamabad-Peshawar motorway which would create job opportunities and improve economic condition of the district.

He said the new airport project near Fatehjang would bring prosperity to Attock. He said work on the Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway (M-1) till Charsadda would be completed this year and till Peshawar by next year. He said dualization of Tarnol-Kohat Road and Hassanabdal-Mansehra Road was also underway.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/30/nat20.htm

Friday, March 31, 2006

Iran to power 31 Pakistani villages

ISLAMABAD: Iran will provide electricity to 31 villages of the Mekran area in southwestern Balochistan province, reported IRNA. The Quetta Electric Supply Corporation (QUESCO) and the Iranian government have signed an agreement under which Iran will provide electricity to 23 villages in Parom and eight villages in Zamran in Kech district.

The task of providing electricity to the villages will begin after QESCO receives the required funds. According to QESCO estimates, the project will cost Rs 100 million. Online

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\03\31\story_31-3-2006_pg7_7

HYDERABAD: Telemedicine system being introduced in Hyderabad




Bureau Report

HYDERABAD, March 30: District Nazim Kanwar Naveed Jamil has said the district government is introducing the telemedicine system to provide advance medical facilities to people.

He was talking to journalists after holding a meeting with the adviser to the Sindh chief minister on information technology and environment at his office here on Wednesday.

He said that under the system, poor people of the district would get medical tests and prescriptions from specialist doctors through telephone calls at the telemedicine centre. He said these facilities would be equivalent to facilities available to people in Karachi and other big cities.

He said the district government was working on a project to interlink all 62 small and big hospitals in the district and computerize their data to ensure efficient health delivery to people.

The nazim said the local government was also considering to interlink district government departments with one another to ensure one-window service to people. He said a feasibility report would be prepared in consultation with the Sindh information technology department soon.

The nazim said the district government was also giving priority to the education sector and, as such, it had established an office for the EDO, IT, in Hyderabad with budgetary allocation of Rs8 million and 40 employees.

He said that keeping in view the importance of information technology in enhancing job opportunities and development activities, the district government had decided to promote the discipline through different means.

He announced that an IT fair would be held in the last week of May. The nazim said the district government had asked different private organizations for beautification of Hyderabad.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/31/local24.htm

GILGIT: Museum to be set up in Gilgit

GILGIT, April 2: The government has chalked out a plan to preserve the rich cultural heritage of the Northern Areas and decided to set up a museum in the region, said a spokesman for the Municipal Committee Gilgit. The spokesman said the committee was preparing a summary for setting up the museum in Gilgit and it would be presented to the authorities concerned for approval, he explained.

The antiques and rich cultural heritage of the Northern Areas would be preserved in the museum, he said.—APP

http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/03/local30.htm

Safari park planned in Malakand

PESHAWAR, April 2: The provincial government is planning to set up a safari park for wildlife conservation alongside the Swat River, between Batkhela and Thana in Malakand Agency, NWFP Environment Secretary Noorul Haq said here on Sunday.

“I had a detailed meeting with a delegation led by the Batkhela tehsil nazim and decided that the required land for the park will be arranged by the locals and the NWFP wildlife department will make necessary constructions besides providing precious wildlife species,” he told APP.

Mr Haq, who is also secretary of forests, wildlife, fisheries and transport, said that at least 50 acres of land in Batakhela was needed to establish the wildlife sanctuary.

“We plan to start work on the project from the month of July but it is subject to availability of land from the district government of Malakand,” he said.

Environment Minister Shah Raz Khan is taking “keen interest in the safari park”, because it will help conserve the country’s precious wildlife species, according to Mr Haq.

Asked about a mysterious attack on a few conifer trees at Kotigram in Lower Dir, he said two teams of researchers from the national forest institute and provincial directorate of research and development have visited the affected forest area to determine its causes.

The teams are expected to submit their recommendations in a couple of weeks.

Mr Haq said the government would set up four vehicular emission testing stations (VETS) in D.I. Khan, Bannu, Kohat and Mardan shortly to check smoke emitting vehicles besides monitoring the pollution level including carbon dioxide and lead on daily basis to arrest the ever growing menace of pollution.

Two stations have already been set up in Abbottabad and Swat to check smoke-emitting buses, cars and auto rickshaws and educate motorists about the perils of vehicle emissions.

“The department has banned two-stroke rickshaws — the main cause of pollution — and replaced them with four-stroke rickshaws,” he added.

Previous governments had paid less attention to developmental projects of the environment department. “The provincial government is utilising all the resources, allocating huge amount of Rs30million for developmental projects of environment in 2005-06 as against Rs15 million in 2003-04,” he said.

To a question, he said a total of six developmental schemes including ones covering most of the dirty drains in Hayatabad, urban plantation at the graveyards on Charssadda Road and Rehman Baba and roadside plantation in the current fiscal year had been made to ensure a pollution-free environment.

He said unhygienic water, unplanned drainage system and unfinished construction work were the major factors contributing to environmental pollution and degradation.

The department has established environmental clubs in government schools and colleges to create awareness among students against the health hazards of pollution, he added.

Mr Haq said the department had taken several steps for disposing of and recycling solid waste by taking Pabbi in Nowshera, Chakdara in Upper Dir, Mingora in Swat and Haripur as model areas for pollution-free-environment to the people besides arresting the spread of cancer, asthma and ENT diseases.

Mr Haq said the forest department under a ten-year plan had chalked out a visionary policy to increase the forest and vegetative cover from its existing 17.8 per cent to 25 per cent of the total land area of the NWFP through a participatory and integrated approach.

He said four new branches of research development, community development, human resource directorate and planning and evaluation centres had been set up to train human resource in the field of biology, forestry and wildlife conservation.

He underscored the need for collective efforts among all the stakeholders to arrest the menace of pollution and to ensure better environment for our coming generation. —APP


http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/03/nat16.htm

Master plan for Moenjodaro conservation soon




By M.B. Kalhoro

LARKANA, April 2: A master plan for Moenjodaro will be ready by June for conservation of the ancient site and for building a complete replica. Talking to Dawn at Moenjodaro on Friday, site director Qasim Ali Qasim said that the plan would be carried out in 10 years at a cost of Rs600 million.

He said that the ECNEC was expected to give a go-ahead for the plan.

He said that four acres would be used for constructing the replica of Moenjodaro.

He said that professionals, representatives of the Sindh government and experts from the Indus School of Art and Architecture would be given representation about execution of the plan.

He said that already some work had been undertaken at the site to prepare the ground work for the plan’s first phase.

The federal ministry of culture was contacted to release about Rs7.6 million from savings of the department of archaeology and the National Fund for Moenjodaro (NFM).

He expected that the fund would be released in the first week of April 2006.

Replying to a question about the fate of handing over 129 archaeological sites to the Sindh culture department, he said that the Sindh government had delayed in submitting the plan to the prime minister and that was the only reason of delay.

The plan was due to be submitted with the prime minister on February 18 in a meeting called for the purpose but the Sindh government submitted it on February 23, which delayed the process of handing over sites to Sindh, he said.

Replying to a question about funds taken away by UNESCO, he said that the federal government had approached the director general of UNESCO for returning funds to the tune of $6,62,000 for it was exclusively meant to undertaking conservation and preservation work at Moenjodaro.

The Japan Trust Fund and UNDP were key contributors, he said, and added that Pakistan’s share was $14.1 million while that of UNESCO’s $9.2 million.

The question is when funds were exclusively for Moenjodaro then why they had been taken away by UNESCO and that was why he disclosed that the federal secretary culture had written to the director general of UNESCO to returning funds.

He said that 27 dismissed workers connected with abandoned ground water scheme had been re-appointed and they would get salaries from January 2005 for which the federal secretary had promised to them during his visit to the site.

“We have received a fax to this effect” Mr Qasim said and added that now they would perform as daily wagers in the Moenjodaro Conservation and Research Cell.

Mohammed Amin Qureshi, and Ali Haidar were also present on the occasion.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/03/nat19.htm

HYDERABAD: Work to begin soon on new projects




Bureau Report

HYDERABAD, April 3: District Nazim Kanwar Naveed Jamil has said that during April and May, work will be started on a safari park, renovation of Rani Bagh and establishment of a trauma centre, a food testing laboratory and filter plants in Hala Naka and Paretabad.

He was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of a road to link the Bhurgari road with the jail road.

Mr Jamil said the time given to utility departments had expired on March 30 and now no organization would be allowed to dig any road.

He said that to ensure adequate water supply to people, storage capacity of existing filter plants was being doubled and pumping stations in Paretabad and Hala Naka were being converted into modern filter plants.

He said power breakdowns disrupted water supply and sewerage. Therefore, he said, dual power lines were being installed at dumping stations for which Hesco had been provided Rs2.5 million. He said generators were also being installed at a cost of Rs120 million in case there breakdown in both power lines.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/04/local29.htm

http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/24/SlideShow/pic18.jpg

PESHAWAR - March 23, 2006: An artisan is busy carrying out conservation of a Mughal-period bridge near Peshawar on Thursday. The NWFP department of archaeology has started conservation of the historical bridge.—Photo by Abdul Majeed Goraya

Task force formed to conserve forests

By our correspondent

HYDERABAD: Hyderabad Nazim Kanwar Naveed Jamil on Tuesday constituted a task force to conserve forests and prevent illegal cutting of woods and hunting of precious species within the district.

The task force was headed by EDO Revenue Abdul Sattar Jatoo and EDO Agriculture Shahbuddin Siddiqui, DO Forest (Sindh) Syed Wasif Ali Shah, DO Forest Nursery (District Govt) Habibullah Nizamani, Deputy Conservator Wildlife Saeed Baloch, Game Officer (Raid Party) Wajid Ali Shaikh, TPO Taluka Hyderabad Rural and SHO Hatri would be its members.

The decision was taken in a meeting, presided over by the district Nazim, held at the Nazim Secretariat to discuss conservation of forests, prevention of illegal cutting of wood and hunting in Hyderabad.

The Nazim said the district government had decided to launch an effective programme under the joint resources of the district government, Police, Forest and Wildlife departments to conserve forests with a view to provide natural environment to wildlife.

The Nazim directed the members of the task force to undertake joint visits to the forest areas within the district and identify vacant land available for plantation there.

He said that under the joint strategy the district government would provide 100,000 saplings for plantation on vacant land of forest this year, adding that a target of providing 200,000 saplings for plantation has been set for next year.

Referring to the report submitted by the DO Forest Sindh about leasing of 1,054 acres of forest land to the private owners out of the total forest area of 13,923 acres of different forests in the district, the Nazim said this land was supposed to be reforested by the concerned authority but its leasing to the private owners has encouraged the land grabbers for further deforestation in the district. No one would be allowed to cut the forest trees and hunt the animals in the district, he added.

http://jang.com.pk/thenews/index.html

Rs44.209m being spent on education, health units in Hyderabad


By RT Correspondent
HYDERABAD: District Coordination Officer (DCO) Hyderabad, Muhammad Sharif Awan Wednesday said an amount of Rs. 44.209 million is being spent for improvement in education and health units under Sindh Devolved Social Services Programme (SDSSP) in Hyderabad district during the current financial year. Presiding over a meeting here at his office, which reviewed the utilisation of SDSSP funds, Sharif said under this programme, 15 per cent of the total allocation i.e. Rs. 6.631 million will be utilised through NGOs and C.B.Os engaged in participatory development and welfare activities.
The remaining amount of Rs. 37.578 million will be utilised for improvement in health and education departments by providing facilities and introducing new schemes with 50 per cent share to each department. Highlighting the priorities, the DCO said introduction of early childhood education in government schools, provision of additional classrooms at over enrolled schools, facilities of drinking water, furniture, boundary walls, electricity, and washrooms especially at girls schools are among the priorities of district government.
Similarly, the works for mother and child health care services specially at RHC and BHU, establishment of ICU at Tando Jam Rural Health Centre and C.C.U. at Paretabad Hospital, provision of facilities and replacement of old and defective equipment from major hospitals will be taken into hand in health sector under SDSSP programme. The DCO asked district managements of health and education departments to submit their feasibility reports within a week so that work over these projects could be started within the shortest possible time.
He also invited the development projects from NGOs and CBOs for which Rs. 6.631 million have been separately earmarked.
Regarding shortage of technical staff particularly in health sector, Sharif asked the District Officer Health to hire the services of most essential technical persons to overcome the problem.
The EDO Education Abdul Majeed Hur, DO Health, Dr. Bashir Solangi, DO Planning, Islamuddin Abbasi and other officers attended the meeting.

http://www.regionaltimes.com/today/heartland/44.php

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http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/11/SlideShow/pic14.jpg



PESHAWAR - April 10, 2006: Exquisitely carved woodwork adorns the windows and doors of the famous Sethi House and other old houses in the narrow streets of the interior city. The buildings attract a large number of tourists each year.—Dawn

http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/16/SlideShow/pic23.jpg
A labourer is busy reaping a wheat field in Gujar Khan as harvesting picks up pace.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/16/SlideShow/pic15.jpg
Visitors show interest in a picture during the Cultural Heritage, Landscapes and Islamic Architecture Photo Exhibition organised by the World Conservation Union at Nishtar Hall on Saturday.

HYDERABAD, April 24: The government has set aside Rs900 million, to be raised by Rs800m in the next financial year, to help growers to increase per acre yield of their produce, according to Adviser to Sindh Chief Minister on Food and Agriculture Murtaza Khan Jatoi.

Mr Jatoi said in a meeting with the officials of Agriculture Department and progressive growers at the Circuit House here on Monday, that the growers would be provided tube-wells, threshers and sprinkle and drip irrigation systems from the allocation at discounted rates.

The sprinkle and drip systems, for which the government had allocated Rs60 million in the current year, would save water by 50 per cent, he said, adding that the allocation would be raised by 100 per cent every year.

He said that work on the installation of tube-wells had already started in all the districts, and the government had targeted to install 1000 tube-wells in the first phase. The process would cost Rs177 million of which the growers would have to pay only 50 per cent of the total, he said.

Those who wanted to buy the machines should submit their applications to the Agriculture Engineering Department; he advised but made it clear the threshers would be provided on first-come-first-served basis.

The advisor took serious notice of the growers’ complaints about non-payment of outstanding dues and directed the Sindh cane commissioner to issue notices to the sugar mills and ensure they pay without any further delay, and report him back within 15 days.

In response to another complaint, he instructed the Agriculture Extension Department to publish the names of registered pesticides companies and dealers in the local newspapers to arrest the sale of substandard and adulterated products.

Mr Jatoi also directed that the Sindh Facility Board should be reactivated.

Secretary Food Ghulam Adil Shaikh, DGs Agriculture Engineering and Agriculture Extension Agha Zafarullah Durrani and Mohammad Naeem Korejo, Director Food Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah, Director On-farm Water Management Irshad Ansari, President Sindh Chamber of Agriculture Syed Qamaruzzaman Shah, President Sindh Abadgar Board Abdul Majeed Nizamani, Major (Rtd) Omer Farooq and Syed Nadeem Shah attended the meeting.

SPSWA: The Sindh Paramedical Staff Welfare Association (SPSWA) warned in a meeting on Monday to stage hunger strike unto death outside the Karachi Press Club from May 4, if its demands were not met by the end of current month.

The meeting presided over by SPWSA President Nazeer Ahmed Detho warned that if anyone tried to sabotage the protest movement, the association would declare complete lockout in all the hospitals of the province.

The meeting strongly opposed the proposed ban on associations and unions and said the SPWSA would resist such a move.

The association’s other demands included approval of service structure, reinstatement of 33 dismissed vaccinators in Thatta, regularisation of mid-wives in Shikarpur and approval of children’s employment quota for paramedical staff.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/25/SlideShow/pic07.jpg
Women present a folk dance on the occasion of the traditional Sheedi Mela at Manghopir Road on Monday.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/26/SlideShow/pic04.jpg
Students appreciate the craftsmanship of glassware displayed at a stall during a fun fair at the Home Economics College for Women at Peshawar University on Tuesday.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/27/SlideShow/pic14.jpg
A man makes hand-fans with straw on roadside to meet local demand which goes up with the onset of summer.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/27/SlideShow/pic13.jpg
Shortage of water has made the river Indus downstream Kotri look like a canal.

KARACHI, April 26: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has stressed the need for presentations by all departments to ensure a good budget.

“It is imperative for preparation of an ideal budget that meets the aspirations of people,”, he said on the occasion of a presentation made by the department of planning and development at the CM’s House.

He referred to the special attention paid by the irrigation department to its performance, and said “this has produced encouraging results”.

Dr Arbab observed that canal-desilting had been carried out in a better manner, but it was not a solution to the problem as water shortage would persist until watercourses were lined.

“We will have to strengthen the bunds of canals and other watercourses, besides constructing small dams at different locations in the province,” he said, stressing on storing the rain and surplus water.

He proposed construction of a dam over Baran river to store rainwater.

Dr Arbab said that cattle farms would be set up in district headquarters to bring about a ‘white revolution’, as desired by President Pervez Musharraf, to meet the requirements of dairy farming. He called for encouraging cattle breeders by extending small loans to them for setting up dairy farms. In the first phase, cattle farms of 25-50 buffalos should be established, he suggested.

Referring to the agriculture department, the chief minister pointed out that if this department streamlined itself in the right direction, this would result in the progress of the whole country, especially Sindh which had basically an agricultural economy.

He directed the agriculture department to introduce more seed varieties and guide growers about how to achieve a better crop.

Dr Arbab pointed out that the Sindh Seed Corporation had been revived on his directive, and said this would definitely produce good and encouraging results.

The chief minister also issued special directive for the establishment of model villages in rural areas, and observed that besides the interior Sindh areas, the katchi abadis of Karachi could be converted into model villages.

He said that a model village should have all basic facilities like sewerage, clean drinking water, better communication links, etc.

The houses in such villages should be designed as per the local weather conditions to ensure a comfortable living.

The chief minister also issued directive for the establishment of one English-medium school with classes from I to XII in every taluka. For this purpose, he said, the government was ready to hire English teachers from Sri Lanka, if required.

He said all possible steps would be taken for providing quality education to students of rural areas as available to those of urban areas.

He directed the IGP to equip the Sindh police with modern weapons and equipment in order to improve the law and order. In this regard, he ordered establishment of 100 check-posts along the highways.

Adviser on finance, chief secretary, IGP, additional chief secretary planning and development and other officials were present on the occasion.—APP

http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/28/SlideShow/pic10.jpg
Two Japanese visitors, on the occasion of the Gandhara week, look at a statue of Buddha at the Peshawar Museum on Thursday.

HYDERABAD, April 27: The National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) on Wednesday signed an agreement with the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (Hesco) to set up “Nadra kiosk” for payment of bills in Sindh.

Nadra Director of Operations Col (retd) Khalid Hameed Shah and Hesco Chief Executive Maqbool Ahmed Khawja signed the agreement at a ceremony held here on Wednesday.

The chief executive of Hesco said that it would facilitate power consumers and after the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco), Hesco was second power distribution company of Wapda to sign such agreement with the Nadra for payment of bills through machines.

He said that machines would be installed in the province for benefit of power consumers and termed it a historic occasion for 1.2 million Hesco consumers across Sindh.

Giving details of the project, the Nadra director of operations pointed out that Nadra kiosks are being installed under directives of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to enable consumers pay their bills through machines round the clock. He said that the agreement with other power distribution companies is underway.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/28/local23.htm

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KARACHI, April 29: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has urged writers and intellectuals to promote the traditional and heritage culture of the country for the benefit of the young generation, and also promote inter-provincial harmony.

Inaugurating the four-day international conference on Sindh: Past, Present and Future here at State Guest House here on Saturday, the prime minister said that Sindh, having the oldest civilization has rich culture, heritage and traditions, should be promoted in a proper and effective manner.

The conference has been organized jointly by the Department of Sindh and the Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai Chair of the University of Karachi and the Institute of Sindhology, University of Sindh.

The prime minister said there was a need to know the past in order to build the present and future.

Sindh has the Indus Valley civilization and the province is uniquely known as Babul Islam whose land has been transverse by saints and Sufis, like Abdullah Shah Ghazi, Lal Shahbaz Qalander, Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai, Sachal Sarmast and may others, who propagated the divine message of love, peace, harmony and tolerance. He said that sincere efforts should be made to project and promote this message for the guidance of the younger generation.

He described the natural resources and heritage of Sindh as a gifted with many of the characteristics of a high-growth region.

He said Sindh’s rich natural endowments held nearly one-third of all the country’s total mineral deposits with one of the largest coal reserves in the world and major oil and gas reserves.

Referring to the diverse population and complete harmony among the people of Sindh, he emphasized the need for further promoting the same. He urged the people to think positively and promote patience, tolerance and brotherhood.

Being a coastal province located in strategically important part of the region, Sindh has the potential to become one of the largest logistical and business hubs in South Asia. Its capital, Karachi, is the commercial hub of the country and is well connected through the extensive road and rail networks with different parts of the country and, thus, could play an important role in promoting inter-provincial harmony and close relations between each two provinces.

Dr Fahmida Hussain, Prof Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui (Vice-Chancellor of Karachi University) and Mazarul Haq Siddiqui (Vice-Chancellor of Sindh University) also spoke on the occasion.—APP

http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/30/local3.htm

HYDERABAD, April 29: District Nazim Kanwar Naveed Jamil said on Friday the district would install generators at all the pumping stations to ensure uninterrupted supply of water to people and save them from unnecessary nuisance caused by frequent power-breakdowns.

The Rs100 million project would be inaugurated on Monday, he said in his address to the inauguration ceremony for a water reservoir with a capacity of 100,000 gallons in Amani Shah Colony, Unit No 11, Latifabad on Friday.

He said that the power breakdowns, which occurred frequently and for prolonged hours during summer season, caused the entire water supply and drainage systems to paralyse completely.

He said with the construction of reservoir residents of Amani Shah Colony would now get water for four hours instead of 30 minutes per day they were receiving previously.

Besides this one, the district had decided to build another reservoir of 300,000 gallons capacity in Ghazali College Latifabad.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/30/local20.htm

HYDERABAD, April 30: Federal Minister for Housing and Town Planning Safwanullah has said that the government planned to build apartments for government employees and asked provinces to identify pieces of 100-acre land for the purpose in each district.

Speaking at the press club on Sunday, he said that the government employees would be able to get proprietary rights of the apartment on retirement.

He said that about six million houses were required for government employees.

At present, the federal government had only 27,000 residential units for 386,000 employees, he added.

He said that the government had put forward proposals for building houses for government employees which would now be implemented at the district level following 17th constitutional amendment.

The minister said that a proposal for allowing employees to have proprietary rights during their employment and deducting instalments from their salaries had been approved by the prime minister giving the go ahead to the construction of apartments in Islamabad for BPS-1 to BPS-16 employees.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/05/01/local30.htm

PESHAWAR: Rs40m approved for Haj building




By Our Correspondent

PESHAWAR, April 30: The federal government has sanctioned Rs40 million for construction of a building of the NWFP Haj directorate to solve the problem of accommodation of intending pilgrims, an official said. He said tenders for the project would be floated soon and the building would be ready by December.

He said the quota of private tour operators would be raised next year from 60,000 to 75,000. He said another 75,000 people would be sent by the government.

“We have received 79 complaints against tour operators, most of which pertained to transportation, status of buildings and food quality,” he said. He added that Ministry of Haj and Religious Affairs secretary Wakeel Ahmad Khan had heard complaints against tour operators in Lahore, Peshawar and Islamabad and would visit Quetta and Karachi soon.

The official said the government had secured bank guarantees from 318 registered tour operators who had offered different packages to pilgrims, which had caused problems. However, he said, from now on, they would be allowed only to give two short and long duration packages. He said tour operators would now provide the government with complete break-up of the packages they offered.

Last year, the official said, 21 tour operators had been blacklisted on account of complaints against them. He said tour operators would not be allowed to offer services to people outside their cities and they would be made bound to return part of the amount to pilgrims in case they fell short of offering desired services.

About complaints against the PIA, he said he had held meetings with top officials at the Ministry of Defence in Islamabad and had conveyed to them that private airlines would also be engaged in Haj flights if the PIA raised its fares.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/05/01/local29.htm

Source: http://www.dawn.com/2006/05/01/nat34.htm

Underpass to be built in Sialkot


SIALKOT, April 30: The Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) has announced the construction of an underpass along the railway crossing level near Allama Iqbal Chowk. This was disclosed by Tehsil Nazim Imtiazuddin Dar while addressing a meeting of heads of trade bodies at Sialkot Fort here on Sunday.

The tehsil nazim said the decision was taken to overcome long hours of traffic jams at the railway crossing level. The project would be completed with the collaboration of the local business community.

He said the work on the project would be taken in hand in the month of June.

KARACHI, May 3: The Sindh Adviser on Livestock and Fisheries, Fakir Mohammed Jadam Mangrio, has announced a plan envisaging the construction of cattle colonies on 200 acres of land each in 14 districts and three towns of Sindh.

On the directive of the Chief Minister, Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim, all facilities will be provided in these colonies under a one-window system, he said while talking to journalists on Tuesday.

He said the President, Prime Minister and chief minister had repeatedly desired the development of the livestock sector for bringing improvement in the living style of people associated with it.

He explained that the 200-acre cattle colonies will each have a residential colony on 50 acres, roads to the market, feed plant, milk plant, slaughter house, chilling plant, bio-gas, veterinary hospital, training centre, health centre and police post, and other basic necessities.

Mr Mangrio said the project’s objective was to provide technical and other modern facilities to cattle breeders to help raise the production of milk and meat.

He said that directives had been issued to DCOs to submit reports on feasibility and land availability within a week.

He said that 14 district where these cattle colonies would be established include Mithi, Tando Allahyar, Nawabshah, Larkana, Khairpur, Badin, Mirpur Khas, Matiari, Jamshoro, Sanghar, Sukkur, Shikarpur besides in the towns of Naokot, Shadi Larj and Kaloi.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/05/04/local16.htm

HYDERABAD, April 4: District Nazim Kanwar Naveed Jamil claimed that within two years, the quantity of filtered water supply in Hyderabad would be doubled to be enough till 2015.

Speaking at a function held in connection with the installation of standby generators at the big pumping stations in the district, he said Hyderabad was the only district in the country obtaining dual power connections for water supply and sewage disposal facilities.

Generators also have been installed at pumping stations as standby arrangements.

The district government, he said, had paid Rs2.5 million to Hesco for dual power supply lines to all the pumping stations from different feeders. This facility was neither available in Karachi nor in Islamabad, he said, adding that the district had taken the step to overcome power outages.

He said the old water pipeline from the filter plant to the city would be replaced at a cost of Rs450 million. By next month, he said, all the 41 union councils would be provided hydraulic vehicles to lift garbage.

Kanwar Naveed said that a new division had been set up in Wasa to exclusively supervise the sanitation system. He said it was a historic day for Hyderabad because all the major pumping stations were being equipped with generators.

The district nazim said generators had been installed at 19 pumping stations and added that under this project, 43 generators would be installed.

He said that over the years, 80 per cent of the underground sewerage lines had choked with silt. He, however, said that a new division had been established in Wasa to combat this situation. The division had been provided with machines clean the lines, he said.

The district Nazim said that to increase quantity of drinking water, three water reservoirs with a quantity of four mega gallon per day were being constructed. He also gave details of other water and sewerage projects.

DCO Hyderabad Mohammad Sharif Awan, Deputy Nazim Zafar Rajput, HDA Director-General Tahir Ahmed, HCC&I president Masood Pervez and other officials of the district government were present on the occasion.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/05/05/local23.htm

THATTA, May 4: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has said that use of alternate energy is a major achievement of his government.

Speaking at a gathering in Juma Goth of coastal taluka Mirpur Sakhro after inaugurating a windmill project on Thursday, he said the government was determined to extend maximum benefits and facilities to the common man.

Small windmill and solar energy generating small projects would bring prosperity in areas where Wapda’s power were not available and open enormous avenues of livelihood, he said.

The chief minister said the government had sanctioned 100 such projects which would illuminate 6,700 houses in remote villages. Within three years, 806 villages of coastal area would be electrified this way, he added.

The chief minister claimed that his predecessors, instead of concentrating on welfare schemes and benefiting the common man, had hoodwinked the masses through hollow slogans.

He said, during his recent visit of this area, a Canadian woman had contacted him and advised installation of a modern project along the coastal belt having capability of auto-chlorinating 7,000 gallons of sweet water as well converting 25,000 litres of brackish water into the sweet water, which could also be used for agricultural purpose.

Dr Arbab admitted that Sindh had been experiencing worst crises of water for irrigation and drinking, but the government had taken notice of it and was making efforts to avert such a crisis in the forthcoming days.

Zamindars, he said, could afford the suggested project.

The government, he said, was considering to share Rs3 million of its Rs3.8 million total cost while the zamindar would give Rs800,000. The main objective was to encourage private sector in producing sweet water and urged zamindar to become self-sufficient in water.

He said, earlier no governments had desilted and cleaned riverine network, but now the tail-enders were able to receive timely irrigation water, he said and added that brick-lining of watercourses was a major step of the government and the country would soon reap its fruit.

The Sindh government, he said was also considering establishment of model villages in the coastal belt.

Criticizing late Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Mohammad Khan Junejo, Arbab Rahim said his government would take precautionary measures and carry out an in-depth study before launching housing projects. Those constructed during the tenures of Bhutto and Junejo had never benefited the deserving people, he added.

He suggested that joint steps of the government and communities could help replace katcha settlements with better pakka houses.

The chief minister expressed dissatisfaction over the performance of the Coastal Development Authority.

He held out assurance to earmark a considerable amount in the next budget for the construction of the coastal highway to Ali Bunder in the Badin district.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/05/05/nat10.htm

GUJRANWALA, May 5: Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi announced on Friday a Rs2.7 billion package for Gujranwala and promised that more funds would be sought from the federal government for completion of uplift projects in district.

Speaking at a local-body workers convention in Jinnah Stadium, he explained Rs1.65 billion would be spent on construction of roads, sewerage and water supply schemes, Rs700 million on development of remote areas, and Rs140 million had been earmarked for cleanliness of machinery.

He said road projects would be given to FWO and would be completed within one year. He urged the business community to come forward like the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry for development of their city.

Admitting that price-hike was certainly a major issue, he said the government would adopt solid steps to reduce the prices of necessary articles. He said fruitful results would come out by the government efforts to change the police station culture.

He encouraged the PML enrolment and announced that Rs5 million would be given to those union councils, which would enrol a maximum of members.

Among other speakers were National Kashmir Committee chairman Chaudhry Hamid Nasir Chattha, provincial ministers Chaudhry Muhammad Iqbal and Rana Shamshad, besides City District Nazim Chaudhry Fayyaz Chattha.

It is not out of place to mention that the administration had made elaborate arrangements for the convention at the Jinnah Stadium’s open place, which was covered with tents. The government expended lavishly on airconditioning and a large number of people were served with sumptuous meal.

Earlier, the chief minister inaugurated a GT Road section, which had been constructed at a cost of Rs332 million, sports complex at the Quaid-i-Azam divisional public school and the Jinnah Park near Kangniwala locality.

injured: Bandits killed a landlord and injured his friend on resistance and looted two houses in three different strikes in and around the city on Friday.

Reports said a dozen dacoits entered the outhouse of landlord Noor Muhammad and started loading his cattle on a truck. For raising an alarm, outlaws opened fire on the landlord and his friend. Noor died on the spot while his friend Abdul Rashid sustained injuries. He was shifted to Mayo Hospital.

Half a dozen outlaws sneaked into Gulzar Ahmad’s house on Sui gas Road by scaling its boundary wall. After holding the inmates up, they locked them in a room. Later, they escaped after collecting Rs100,000 in cash, 41 tolas of gold, two mobile phones and other valuables.

Six gunmen entered the house of farmer Salamat Ali in Kingerwali village. They held up the inmates and locked them in a room. They scooped Rs45,000 in cash, jewellery and other valuables and fled.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/05/06/nat30.htm

PESHAWAR, May 6: The government will implement Rs4.1 billion Agribusiness Development and Diversification Project in tribal areas, says a handout.

NWFP Governor Khalilur Rehman was briefed about the project here, it said.

According to the handout, the project was expected to be completed by 2010.

The Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock would execute the project in collaboration with the State Bank and relevant agriculture departments. The ADB would contribute Rs1.9 billion.

Additional Secretary Ministry of Food and Agriculture Mohammad Salim Khan Jhagra told the governor that 8.3 per cent of the total project cost would be utilised in tribal area.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/05/07/local23.htm

KARACHI, May 7: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim on Sunday said that more funds would be allocated in the next provincial budget for the modernization of agriculture sector.

Speaking at a briefing given to him on the state of agriculture sector here at the CM’s House, he asked the agriculture department to provide maximum information to growers about seed, fertiliser and modern farm technology, such as the drip irrigation system.

He said that another modern vegetable market (Sabzi Mandi) would be set up in Karachi on the National Highway. It would also have the cold storage facility, he added.

The chief minister said that cold storage facility on a 16-acre land would be established in Tando Allahyar and another one near Shahpur Jehaniyan on the National Highway.

He pointed out that Gulf states were the best markets for Pakistani fruits. The export volume of fruits could be increased by preserving the commodity in cold storage, he added.

Dr Arbab directed the agriculture department to submit to him a report about those field assistants who did not visit fields of their assigned areas so that appropriate action against them could be taken.

He also asked for the early completion of the schemes for the lining of water courses in the province, besides promoting the drip irrigation system.

He called upon media to play its due role in creating awareness in growers in the province Sindh. Wall-chalking also could be used as a mean for the purpose, he suggested.

The chief minister said more export processing zones would be set up in Karachi, Hyderabad, Badin, Mirpurkhas, Naushehro Feroz and Khairpur with view to ensure an increase in exports.

He asked the Sindh Seed Corporation to continue research on seeds and introduce new varieties.

Regarding the new Sabzi Mandi in Karachi, he noted that the past governments had increased the number of shops at the mandi to 4,000 as against its capacity of 400 modern shops. He constituted a committee for allotment of the remaining shops in the mandi on merit basis. The committee comprises Kishan Chand Parwani, Nazar Mohammad Leghari, Mohammad Siddique Memon and Abdul Hakim Baloch.

It would put forward its recommendations to the ministry concerned after going through the applications already submitted.

On the occasion, strict legal action against those involved in the allotment of shops at the mandi to undeserving parties was recommended.

CATTLE COLONIES: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has directed the authorities concerned to identify locations for establishment of cattle colonies in 26 cities in the province where facilities of sweet water, fodder and roads were available.

He issued these directive while presiding over a meeting of the livestock department at Chief Minister House here Saturday.

Dr Arbab said the proposed cattle colonies would help provide easy market access to rural people for livestock and help the people associated with it to raise their income besides provision of employment for both literate and illiterate persons.

The cities where cattle colonies would be established include Mithi, Thatta, Tando Allahyar, Naukot, Shadi Larj, Nawabshah, Larkana, Khairpur, Umerkot, Tando Mohammed Khan, Ghotki, Dhoronaro, Badin, Mirpurkhas, Matiari, Kaloi, Jamshoro, Sanghar, Sukkur, Shikarpur, Naushahero Feroz, Kandhkot, Jacobabad, Dadu and Tando Adam.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/05/08/local1.htm

Bahria Heights Phase II Rawalpindi Launched

http://www.pakrealestatetimes.com/attachment.php?aid=1001

LAHORE: Punjab Housing And Town Planning Agency (PHATA) Chairman Syed Raza Ali Gillani approved new housing schemes in 12 districts of Punjab in 2006, at a meeting on Monday.

The chairman said there would be 50,000 plots in all the schemes; 37,500 five-marla plots and 12,500 ten-marla and one-kanal plots; of which 75 per cent would be allotted to low-income people by ballot.

Raza, who is also the Housing and Urban Development minister, said the schemes would be established in Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Rahimyar Khan, Nankana Sahib, Jhang, Sahiwal, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan and Bahawalpur.

He said a summary had been sent to the chief minister for the implementation of the project, and work would start after the allocation of funds.

The five-marla plots would be given to people at reduced rates, he said, adding that people would have to submit 10 percent of the total price of plots with applications, while the remaining sum would have to be paid in easy installments over five years.

The meeting decided that property files of the Housing Department’s 50-acre scheme in Taxila would once again be scrutinised before people were given ownership rights. Raza directed the PHATA director general to hand over the control of all the housing schemes under the department, to town and municipal administrations by calling a meeting of nazims.

http://dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\05\09\story_9-5-2006_pg7_24

RAWALPINDI, May 9: President General Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday promised that ‘feasible’ parts of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) would be made hub of economic activities. Chairing a meeting on matters relating to Fata here, he said economic zones would be built in the region at a cost of Rs10 billion.

“Elements opposing development schemes will not be tolerated. We are determined to banish terrorism and militancy from our soil so that people of the tribal area can lead a prosperous life,” the president said, adding that more uplift projects would be initiated in the region.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, NWFP Governor Khalilur Rehman and Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao also attended the meeting.

Head of Fata Task Force Sahibzada Imtiaz briefed the meeting about political and administrative reorganisation of Fata. He identified feasible locations for building economic zones there. The prime minister promised sanction of required resources for construction of economic zones.

“The process of reforms in country will go on and these will bring economic prosperity,” President Musharraf remarked.

He said that development funds had been disbursed among Fata legislators on equal basis, adding that provision of gas, electricity, health, education and infrastructure would help trigger an era of progress and development in the region.

“People of Fata want progress of their neglected region. However, unfortunately, some elements are suppressing tribal (people) forcefully. The government will sternly deal with elements obstructing development projects,” he warned.

He said the action to flush out foreign terrorists in South Waziristan Agency would continue.

INEXPENSIVE JUSTICE: Later, addressing a dinner hosted at the Aiwan-i-Sadr to mark the Supreme Court’s golden jubilee celebrations, Gen Musharraf said the government was committed to providing inexpensive and timely justice to people at the grass-roots level and assured that judiciary and legal fraternity would be facilitated in the discharge of this responsibility.

“Ultimately, improvement in governance and socio-economic development means people having access to justice which is easy, quick and inexpensive,” he emphasised.

The president said the government had taken a number of steps to strengthen the institution of judiciary and provide the people with access to justice, including introduction of independent prosecution service and review of civil and criminal laws. He hoped these steps would help avert delay and remove procedural impediments in the way of speedy justice.

He also counted initiatives taken in recent years such as enactment of consumer protection laws, setting up of consumer courts, capacity building of judiciary and lawyers, encouragement of women to join judicial and legal profession and automation plan to facilitate communication.


http://www.dawn.com/2006/05/10/top1.htm

HYDERABAD, May 9: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has said that the Sindh government will present a surplus budget for the next fiscal year. He said that recent exploration of minerals in the province and their royalties would have a positive impact on budget.

Addressing a gathering of police officers and elected representatives at the police headquarters on Monday night, the chief minister expressed satisfaction over the performance of Sindh Home Minister Rauf Siddiqui and PPO Jehangir Mirza.

He announced Rs20 million for a housing scheme of policemen while Rs5 million for the Hyderabad regional police hospital and vocational training centres of men and women in the police headquarters.

Mr Arbab said that from the next financial year constables of the Sindh police would get salary that was being drawn by constables of the Punjab police.

He said that despite existence of black sheep and political expediencies, working of police was satisfactory because still good officers were fighting against criminals and laying down their lives.

He said that on account of political constraints there could not be shunting of such policemen who brought a bad name to the department.

He referred to the Shikarpur district where despite strong political polarisation police were working hard.

“It is my earnest desire to provide an ideal environment to the Sindh police as I always try to solve their problems”, Mr Arbab said.

He disagreed with people who he said considered the raise in salaries as non-development expenditure and said that officials’ pay scales needed to be revised.

He encouraged policemen to have some part time jobs which policemen of Islamabad were doing and there was no harm if they drive taxis and do some other work to increase their legitimate income.

He supported the construction of more hospitals as well as residential accommodation in the province but it could only be done through police-public cooperation.

He paid tributes to RPO Bachal Sangri and his team for expanding hospital with equipment at a cost of Rs5 million in record four months time.

He urged officers of the Sindh police to emulate Hyderabad region police.

He said that philanthropists were ready to donate money but they needed confidence that it would be utilised properly and honestly and promised to give funds to other districts provided the district police made some headway on their own in such welfare-oriented works.

He said that the release of money from the government treasury was no problem but its transparent and proper used was important.

He said that the Sindh government had attractive savings in funds this year and added that officials of the World Bank themselves approached him to offer loans though they had initially avoided.

“I was myself surprised when the secretary finance told me that we will have a surplus budget but it’s because of blessings of Almighty Allah that we will have that kind of budget” he said.

He remarked that the discovery of petrol, gas and other minerals would have positive impact on the next budget and conditions would improve.

He said that he would try his level best to give maximum residential accommodations to police.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/05/10/local27.htm

Foreigners will flock to New Murree, says Pervaiz Elahi
Daily Times

* CM says New Murree will have monorail

LAHORE: Foreigners and locals will flock to New Murree once the 4000-acre tourist resort project is complete, Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi said on Monday.

The new resort will be four times the size of Murree, he said at a meeting which reviewed the master plan for the New Murree project. Elahi was given a detailed briefing on the project by Azmat Ranjha, director general of the New Murree Development Authority.

The chief minister said water would be pumped to New Murree from the Jehlum river. This water supply scheme, costing Rs 2 billion, would be completed in 18 months.

He said both Murree and New Murree would benefit from this scheme. He said promotion of tourism would boost the national economy and that was why the government had come up with the New Murree project.

He said two five star hotels and one six star hotel, a shopping mall, trade centre, theme park, cultural complex, botanical garden, parks, camping ground and hiking tracks would be available at New Murree.

Elahi further said in addition to modern parking facilities, a monorail would be built in New Murree for transport within the town. He said a dual carriageway from Islamabad to Murree would be completed by the end of this year.

He ordered that trees be planted in the area to enhance its scenic beauty. He said the foundation stone for the New Murree project would be laid in June. Chief Secretary Kamran Rasool was also at the meeting. app

Foreigners will flock to New Murree, says Pervaiz Elahi
Daily Times

* CM says New Murree will have monorail

LAHORE: Foreigners and locals will flock to New Murree once the 4000-acre tourist resort project is complete, Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi said on Monday.

The new resort will be four times the size of Murree, he said at a meeting which reviewed the master plan for the New Murree project. Elahi was given a detailed briefing on the project by Azmat Ranjha, director general of the New Murree Development Authority.

The chief minister said water would be pumped to New Murree from the Jehlum river. This water supply scheme, costing Rs 2 billion, would be completed in 18 months.

He said both Murree and New Murree would benefit from this scheme. He said promotion of tourism would boost the national economy and that was why the government had come up with the New Murree project.

He said two five star hotels and one six star hotel, a shopping mall, trade centre, theme park, cultural complex, botanical garden, parks, camping ground and hiking tracks would be available at New Murree.

Elahi further said in addition to modern parking facilities, a monorail would be built in New Murree for transport within the town. He said a dual carriageway from Islamabad to Murree would be completed by the end of this year.

He ordered that trees be planted in the area to enhance its scenic beauty. He said the foundation stone for the New Murree project would be laid in June. Chief Secretary Kamran Rasool was also at the meeting. app
I uploaded a video of the monorail here once :)

^^^^

that new murree article is about a year and a half old.

ABBOTTABAD, May 12: Land has been allocated for reconstructing Balakot, which falls on a double fault line, at Bikriyal near the collapsed town.

Lt-Gen Nadeem, deputy chairman, Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (Erra), said this at a meeting in Mansehra on Thursday.

The meeting was attended by elected representatives of all five quake-hit districts, Nazims, DCOs, DROs, officials of different government departments, representatives of NGOs and donors.

Lt-Gen Nadeem said that a model city had been planned at Bikriyal and it would be a replica of Islamabad from the point of view of provision of facilities.

He said that it might take three years to complete the project, adding that Erra had banned all sorts of construction in those areas which had been declared as red zone in the light of seismic reports.

He stressed more coordination among organisations involved in rehabilitation so that relief goods could be delivered to the affected people in time.

Regarding the payment of compensation, Lt-Gen Nadeem said that all survivors who could not get their cheques should submit claims with the ACOs concerned and after due verification they would get compensation.

The affected people who could not get the first instalment of Rs25,000 for loss or damage to property would get Rs100,000 with the second instalment, which was Rs75,000.

Lt-Gen Nadeem said that a proposal had been forwarded to the government for waiver of agricultural and house-building loans in the earthquake-affected areas.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/05/13/nat27.htm

Salam,

Thats a good news. Now we may have a lot of planned cities in that particular part of the country. First, there is Islamabad. Then Abbottabad is relatively well-planned (compared to most of other cities of Pakistan), then this new Balakot, and then New Murree.

Now, I hope they build this city for the displaced of old Balakot, and not for commerical selling or rich dudes. Moreover, I pray that least amount of environmental damage is done during its construction.

Peace.

Salam,

Thats a good news. Now we may have a lot of planned cities in that particular part of the country. First, there is Islamabad. Then Abbottabad is relatively well-planned (compared to most of other cities of Pakistan), then this new Balakot, and then New Murree.

Now, I hope they build this city for the displaced of old Balakot, and not for commerical selling or rich dudes. Moreover, I pray that least amount of environmental damage is done during its construction.

Peace.
New Murree will never be built, the case is still pending in Supreme Court, and I expect it to be there for next 10 years.

all these model towns...there all a joke...in the end it's going to end up like what mirpur is...

MULTAN, May 14: Work on the first public sector modern bus terminal will be completed by June 30 to offer quality services to the commuters.

This was said by city district nazim Mian Faisal Mukhtar here on Sunday.

“Some 95 per cent work on the Rs90 million project, first of its kind in Pakistan, has been completed,” the nazim said during a visit to the site, located adjacent to the general bus stand near the underpass.

The bus terminal spreading over an area of 10 acres will have the facilities of air-conditioning system, separate lanes for AC and non-AC coaches, four waiting halls, video cameras for security purpose, a reception counter, a public address system, an information centre, a post office, an office of the Tourism Development Corporation Punjab, cargo service, a two-star restaurant, a mosque, a computerised toll plaza and a park.

The nazim said about 100 people had been recruited to ensure cleanliness of the terminal and to keep its park green.

RICKSHAWS: Four-stroke CNG rickshaw will be launched in the local market in June this year.

This was stated by a manufacturing company representative, Haji Younas, at a ceremony held here on Sunday where a model of the three-wheeler was also put on display.

The ceremony was presided over by federal minister Sikandar Hayat Bosan while district nazim Faisal Mukhtar was the guest of honour.

CNG rickshaws would also be able to run on petrol, company officials said, adding initially they would launch the product with a capacity to manufacture 100 rickshaws per day that would be enhanced later.—APP

http://www.dawn.com/2006/05/15/nat30.htm

HYDERABAD: District Nazim Kanwar Naveed Jamil laid the foundation stone of a district government complex project on the premises of the old Deputy Commissioner House here on Tuesday to provide one-window services to the people and increase the efficiency of the government.

Originally the project was estimated to cost Rs 50 million and initially Rs 5 million were earmarked in the current budget to start construction work on the six-storey project building designed for the 11 offices of the district government, one each for the district Nazim’s secretariat and the DCO and nine for the EDOs.

Addressing the foundation stone laying ceremony, Jamil said public welfare departments were being provided to facilitate the people in availing themselves of civic facilities. He noted that only offices, a parking lot and a park had been included in the district government complex project, while no provisions had been made for commercial considerations.

At present, all offices of the district government were located at different places of the city, causing delays and difficulties in the carrying out of welfare works as well as financial losses to people, he said.

The Nazim mentioned that his government had been looking for a site suitable for providing one-window services since it had come into being and now it had finally identified such a place on the premises of the old Deputy Commissioner House on Miran Muhammad Shah Road. He said the site being located in the centre of the Hyderabad city, adjacent to judiciary and DPO offices, and having round-o-clock transport facilities would not only facilitate the people in saving their precious time and money but also increase the efficiency and output of the district government offices, which would have an integrated communication network.

Jamil announced that, after the completion of the project in two to three years, the building now being as the Nazim’s secretariat would be converted back into an auditorium to promote literary and cultural activities in the district. He also announced that the present building of old Deputy Commissioner House would be maintained as a heritage and would be converted into a museum. The district government had also earmarked funds to preserve the historical buildings of Hyderabad, he added.


http://thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=6724

QUETTA: Minister for Water and Power Liaquat Ali Jatoi on Tuesday assured the government would improve the power supply system in Balochistan to resolve the problems of load-shedding and power fluctuation in the province.

Addressing a meeting, co-chaired by him and Chief Minister Balochistan Jam Muhammad Yousuf here on Tuesday, the minister said that different projects worth Rs 1 billion were being launched to provide electricity to 700 villages, besides improving the power supply system and enhancing the capacity of the grid stations in the province.

In order to end the problems of power fluctuation and load-shedding, he also announced to provide 13 new transformers with a cost Rs 330 million to the province.

The minister said that his ministry would not allow anyone to create hurdles in provision of funds to improve the power supply system in Balochistan.

Jatoi announced to launch power supply projects through the alternative sources of energy, including windmills and solar energy in the areas where it is not possible to provide electricity through transmission lines.

The meeting decided that the Qesco would ensure daily 20 hours supply to the agricultural consumers by improving power supply system while the agricultural consumers would pay outstanding dues of Qesco. Moreover, all illegal connections of tube-wells would be legalised by the Qesco according to the rules and regulations.

The minister informed the meeting that funds had been released for installation of the Dadu-Khuzdar transmission line and the work on the project would be started soon. This would help overcome the issues regarding power supply in Kalat, Khuzdar, Awaran and Punjgur districts.

He said that PC-I of the projects for installing Dera Ismal Khan-Zhob and Kot Addu-Loralai had been prepared, and the work on them would be started immediately after formal approval from the NEC meeting to be held next week.

The minister maintained that new grid stations in Wadh and Duki had been completed while grid stations of Nal and Zehri would be completed within two months. He also announced to build a grid station in Basima. The minister said that approval had been accorded to the construction of big dams in Windar, Nolang, Splinji and Bingol.

Jatoi regretted attacks on the electricity installations by saboteurs, saying that it was causing losses to the growers, agriculturists and common people. He announced 50 per cent relaxation to agriculturists in power dues.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Jam Muhammad Yousuf said that major issues confronting the province were the load-shedding and power fluctuation, affecting the development process in Balochistan besides inflicting billions of rupees loss to growers. The common people are also facing immense problems in getting the drinking water, he said and added that the people were forced to lodge protest.

APP adds: Balochistan Information Minister Syed Matiullah Agha called on Federal Minister for Water and Power Liaqat Ali Jatoi here on Tuesday and informed him about load-shedding and low-voltage problems facing the province. He stressed the need for alternative or additional sources of energy to meet the growing needs of electricity in Balochistan.

He also presented certain proposals to the federal minister in this regard which included early completion of Khuzdar-Dadu transmission line and establishment of grid station at Khuzdar, laying of 220 KV Muzaffargarh-Loralai transmission line, 132 KV Zhob-Dera Ismail Khan and setting up power houses in Quetta and Pishin. Jatoi assured the minister of considering his proposals and taking steps on priority basis to resolve the electricity problems of the province.

Separately, at a briefing by Qesco Chief Executive Officer Brig Syed Tassaduq Hussain Shah, Jatoi directed the Qesco authorities to take steps for improving power supply in the province and carry out physical checking of the tube-wells. “It will not only help control power loss, but also collecting accurate data about tube-wells,” he said. He also issued directive for reducing line losses to eliminate monetary burden on the company.

Also, Jatoi inaugurated a complaint cell being set up for providing immediate remedy to the consumers. On the occasion, the minister was told that the cell had taken action on 114 out of a total of 118 complaints before the inauguration.

http://thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=6721

Malik Riaz Shares His Problems - Agar Hakumat Hamara Saath Daiti

http://img359.imageshack.us/img359/2503/malikriazart1mk.gif

http://www.dawn.com/2006/05/18/SlideShow/pic10.jpg

KARACHI - May 17, 2006: Ambulances parked at the IT depot on Wednesday before being handed over to health department for rural areas.


KARACHI, May 17: The Sindh government is in the process of tabling a bill titled, ‘Compulsory Services in Rural and Remote Areas’, in the provincial assembly to ensure that all professionals and manpower on the pay roll of the Sindh health department do serve at its facilities in rural areas.

This was announced by Health Secretary Prof Naushad Shaikh at a ceremony held here on Wednesday to hand over keys of 111 ambulances to relevant officials for the public sector health care facilities in 21 districts of Sindh.

Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad, who was chief guest at the ceremony, said the law, which was very much needed, would be supplemented by necessary measures to enable professionals to work in the remote areas.

“A programme has been materialised and is being streamlined to make available the facility of tele-medicine, helping the surgeons and allied professionals assigned responsibilities in rural areas, to remain updated regarding developments and make adequate of the same,” the governor said.

Dr Ibad said the government fully acknowledged that quality health care and education were people’s basic rights and a responsibility of the state. Hence, all measures were being adopted to fulfill the obligation.

This includes meaningful collaboration with NGOs, besides optimum utilization of the funds available with the government.

The governor said the provincial health department was exposed to serious difficulties. However, during the past few years, serious attempts were made to get them addressed efficiently and enable general public to benefit from the health facilities.

“We are focusing on rural and urban centres equally,” the governor categorically stated, adding that besides developing the required infrastructure, a foolproof mechanism was being developed to ensure round-the-clock availability of professionals at all health-care units being run by the health department.

He pointed out that attention was also being paid to the availability of professionals at all levels, and for the purpose not only standard of training and quality of education was being improved at the government-run units, but the Higher Education Commission was also concentrating on the issue.

“Transparency has been maintained all such schemes,” the governor said. The HEC had significantly improved the university education level across the country, he added.

Sindh Health Secretary Prof Naushad Shaikh, speaking on the occasion, said that besides decisions and policies to improve the performance of public sector organizations, stringent laws were being formulated to address people’s complaints against private sector health care facilities.

Regarding the fleet of 111 ambulances, he said that in the fiscal 2004-2005, an amount of Rs53 million was allocated for the procurement of ambulances for the health department hospitals.

During that fiscal, 31 big and 16 small ambulances had been purchased but these happened to be highly sophisticated vehicles spare parts of which were not available locally. Therefore, it was decided to replace the fleet with 111 small ambulances.

Prof Shaikh said 10 more ambulances had been purchased for health care units located in the arid zones. Health Minister Shabbir Qaimkhani referred to the recently announced revised service structure for paramedics, and said it would benefit 26,000 employees of health department.

The service structure for nurses was also under review and would be announces soon, he added. Under the new arrangement, he said, nurses would be inducted in grade-16 directly, instead of grade-14 and nursing superintendent in grade-18 with chances for further promotions.

Manager for the Enhanced HIV/Aids Programme Dr Salma Kauser Ali, District Health Officer Karachi Dr Khalid Shaikh, DHOs of other 20 districts and senior officials of the health department were present on the occasion.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/05/18/local2.htm

HYDERABAD: The Hyderabad District Council on Wednesday passed four resolutions, demanding measures to control traffic jams, stopping sale of substandard motor oil, shifting of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) shops outside the city and provision of basic facilities to the people in rural areas of the district.

At the outset of the session, Rana Siddiqui presented a resolution, seeking shifting of LPG gas cylinder filling shops outside the city and added that licences should not be issued without proper arrangements at these shops. Referring to an incident in Hyderabad, which resulted in the death of a boy, she called for proper legislation in this regard. The members of the council unanimously approved the resolution.

Another motion was tabled by Perven Lodhi, demanding inquiry by the governor into the non-development of the Gulshan-e-Shahbaz housing scheme and return of the money to the victims of the scheme. The convener referred the motion to the justice committee for an inquiry.

Rashid Khan tabled a resolution, informing the House that the sale of substandard mobil oil was causing damage to engines of motorcycles and cars besides posing threat to the health of the people.

He demanded ban on its sale and said the petroleum ministry should be asked to take action in this regard.

Rana Siddiqi, Q Mohammad Hakim, Yameen Soomro, Rauf Jafri, Ishtiaq Ansari, Abbas Khan, Afzal Shah and other members supported the resolution. The House adopted it.

Arshad Naeem Taimuri and Perven Lodhi tabled two identical resolutions, expressing concern over traffic jams in the city. They proposed that one-way traffic should be introduced and traffic signals should be installed for smooth flow of traffic. Majority of the members of the council called for provision of basic facilities in all the villages of the district. The House approved the resolution and the session was prorogued for an indefinite period.

http://thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=6844

ISLAMABAD, May 18: The Border Area Trust Fund, comprising the government and international lenders, on Thursday decided to raise funds on a world-wide basis based on a need-assessment survey.

The decision was taken at a meeting presided over by Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance Dr Salman Shah and attended by Abid Hassan of the World Bank, Jonathan Addleton, Mission Director of the USAID, and Secretary Economic Affairs Division Khalid Saeed.

The meeting was held to formulate a strategy for the development of border areas in the NWFP and Balochistan.

The adviser said that before launching of the border area trust fund, a task force comprising the Economic Affairs Division and Development Partners should be constituted to assess the development needs of the border areas and evaluate the quantum of financial requirements needed to mainstream and integrate these areas in the national economy.

He said that the factual assessment of the requirements was essential as a mechanism for the implementation of those development schemes which could be carried out in accordance with the requisite needs of the areas.

He said once proper vision and scope of the development activities was visualized fund-raising would be initiated by launching a global effort.

The adviser asked the economic affairs division to coordinate with all stakeholders, including the NWFP and Balochistan governments, for identification of developmental tasks, including development of infrastructure, construction of roads, schools and hospitals, so that a fund-raising campaign could be launched with the cooperation of international financial institutions like the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank as well as countries in the Middle East and Europe.

He said the newly-authorized FATA Development Authority will also be asked to spell out specific development activities to be undertaken in FATA areas and provide useful input to the task force constituted for the purpose.

He said the trust fund will augment activities already being carried out by the USAID and other agencies.

He said the World Bank could take the lead by embarking upon an action plan and providing necessary input to the task force.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/05/19/nat2.htm

SIALKOT, May 19: The Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) and a private company signed a memorandum of understanding on Friday for the construction of an international standard expo centre.

Sialkot district nazim Akmal Cheema presided over the ceremony, while Punjab industries minister Mohammad Ajmal Cheema was the chief guest. The SCCI president was also present on the occasion. Ajmal Cheema and representatives of the private company inked this MoU.

Earlier, the industries minister and district nazim Akmal Cheema laid the foundation stone of the project.

The SCCI chief said the local business community had undertaken this project on a self-help basis after establishing the grand projects of Sialkot dry port, the export processing zone and the international airport on a self-help basis.

He said the exporters had generated special funds of Rs142 million on a self-help basis for the timely completion of the expo centre. It would be constructed on three kanals adjacent to the SCCI building, with a cost of Rs142 million. The project would be completed in a stipulated period of two years.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/05/20/nat22.htm

KARACHI, May 20: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has said that the next provincial budget will be an exemplary one with higher allocations to be made for development.

He was presiding over a meeting held here on Saturday to review the province’s financial matters. Among others, the meeting was attended by the additional chief secretary (development) and secretaries of finance, education, irrigation, works & services, and agriculture & livestock departments.

Issuing directives to government departments regarding prudent utilisation of funds, the chief minister said that in the outgoing fiscal, a record Rs24 billion had been earmarked for development and this amount would go up further in the next budget.He said that the Sindh government had spared enough surplus amounts from the current budget and had already cleared federal loans by now.

He warned that corruption or malpractice in the construction of roads would not be tolerated, and stressed that Rs400 million allocated for the construction and repair of roads must be utilised by next month. In the next fiscal, an amount of Rs600 million would be allocated for this purpose.He pointed out that on the special directive of President Pervez Musharraf, all canals in the province would be lined. He said that the work on the lining of 1,000 water courses was in progress.

He told the meeting that salaries of Sindh police would be brought at par with that of Punjab police in the new fiscal.

Dr Arbab called for improvement in the agriculture tax recovery system and special focus on silt-clearance and revamping of canals, saying that Rs200 million would be allocated for this purpose.

He observed that condition of government buildings and hospitals was not good. “If one hospital is improved in one district, this will help provide better health facilities to people in that district.”

He said Rs1 billion would be allocated in the budget for improving the condition of hospitals in Sindh.

He particularly referred to the civil hospital and Lyari hospital in Karachi, and the civil hospitals of Sukkur, Mirpurkhas, Nawabshah and Larkana, and emphasised on improvement in medical facilities there. He called for setting up boards of directors for these hospitals for a better fund utilisation and management.

He disclosed that a medical college would be set up in Mirpurkhas next year.

The chief minister ordered setting up of 27 cattle colonies in Tando Adam, Mehrabpur, Kaloi and all other districts for which, he said, Rs400 million would be allocated.

He said that Rs395 million would be earmarked for farming in the province to overcome shortage of meat and dairy products.

He directed all DCOs to prepare a report on all the bungalows under control of irrigation department. The roads running parallel to lined canals should also be strengthened.


http://www.dawn.com/2006/05/21/local3.htm

ISLAMABAD, May 20: The newly-appointed managing director of Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV), Ashraf Azim, on Saturday said a housing scheme for PTV employees would shortly be launched.

Addressing the Central Employees Union of the PTV, he said negotiations for a housing scheme for the corporation’s employees were underway and they would soon hear good news. He said his topmost priority was the progress of the organisation and sought cooperation of the employees in this regard.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/05/21/nat11.htm

HYDERABAD: The District Government Hyderabad has earmarked 50 acres of land to establish an expo center in the city to hold national and international exhibitions in order to promote economic activity.

In this regard the district government has completed the plan that would be executed at a cost of Rs50 million.

District Nazim of Hyderabad, Kanwar Naveed Jameel made this announcement while speaking at a reception at the Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HCCI) secretariat late on Friday night. He also asked the HCCI representatives to support the district government in this connection.

He said that consultants have been approached to prepare master plan for Hyderabad district.

Kanwar Naveed said that he is convince with the HCCI that Hyderabad airport should be revived immediately and he informed that he had raised the matter in his meeting with the prime minister and submitted the survey report to the premier.

He said that he is hopeful that airport would be reopened for flights soon.

Meanwhile, he said that extension of SITE area of Hyderabad is in advance stage and hoped that the work would be completed before the end of current fiscal year. He said that strict action against encroachers would be taken.

He said that district government has banned the entry of goods transport into the city during rush hours and urged upon the representatives of HCCI to give proposals and recommendations in this regard to him. He said that 150 acres of land have been earmarked for sports complex of which 50 acres would be allocated for expo center so that exhibitors could be facilitated in better ways.
http://thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=7205

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Government Employees Housing Foundation (FGEHF) will construct high-rise residential apartments for the federal government employees in Sector G-13.

Federal Secretary Housing, Abdul Rauf Chaudhry told 'The News' that an area of 13 acres of land has been allocated for the project in sector G-13 where development work is in the final stages. "The residential apartments will be allotted to government employees on ownership basis against easy instalments," the secretary housing said.

The official said the scheme has been approved by the Ministry of Housing while planning, designing and details of the project was in progress. The housing federation currently is raising 1,000 residential apartments in sector G-11 which had already been allotted to government employees from BPS-1 to 16. "It will take at least another one year to complete construction of these flats," he said.

He said that the Ministry of Planning to hire private management companies for maintenance of high-rise residential apartments and keep utility services in good shape. He said that to start with the management committee would be engaged at residential apartments of Pakistan Housing Authority (PHA) at sector G-11 and G-8. "The management will collect money from owners and residents of flats at these housing schemes and spend it for maintenance purposes," he said. The official said that a similar experience has been successful in PHA flats at sector G-7 where the residents have hired management committee on self-help basis.

http://thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=7416

KARACHI, May 21: The vast coal reserves in Sindh will be utilised to produce electricity and many such power plants will be set up over the next five years.

This was stated by Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim while presiding over a high-level meeting at the CM’s House here on Sunday.

The meeting was held to discuss the next provincial budget.

The chief minister said that the province was rich in natural sources, which would be exploited to improve the national economy. He said that coal-based power plants would help end power shortage. The royalty against the coal would help strengthen the provincial economy alleviate poverty.

He said that some European companies were setting up oil refineries near Port Qasim and Dhabeji. The investors were also keen to set up power plants at Jamshoro and Keti Bander, according to him.

Dr Arbab said that illegal encroachments within the city’s limits and along the Super Highway would be removed.

The meeting was told that 25,000 acres of government land along the highway had been retrieved from land-grabbers whereas bogus allotments of 86,000 acres of land in Thatta had been cancelled.

The chief minister stressed on improving standard of education in the province, and asked the officials concerned to conduct a survey of the small villages which were still without primary schools.

He noted that at present, the number of children not going to school was over two million. He directed the officials to take steps towards improving the condition of 41,215 government primary schools in Sindh and increase the number of middle schools.

The chief minister said that hefty fees of private schools were a permanent nuisance for parents of students. He asked education department officials to set up a joint committee of parents and academics to sort out the issue.

He said that model English-medium schools would be opened in every taluka of the province, and funds for them would be allocated in the next budget. He called for preparing a plan for the capacity-building of government schools’ teachers.

The chief minister was of the view that if EDOs Education of all 23 districts took sincere efforts, there would be no reason why education standard in Sindh did not improve. He said that by improving the standard of 45,487 government schools in the province, the future of Sindh could be turned bright.

He ordered stern action against those using unfair means in examinations, saying he wanted total elimination of the ‘copy culture’.

Dr Arbab said that laying a network of uplift projects across the province was his mission. He directed officials to earmark funds for setting up model villages for fishermen at Manchhar Lake, Keenjhar Lake and Zero Point. He said that funds should also be tagged in the coming budgets for purchasing small boats and launches for fishermen.

He announced that a bridge would be constructed over the Indus River between Thatta and Tando Mohammad Khan to provide better travel facilities to the people of these areas.

The meeting was attended by chief secretary, senior BoR member, additional chief secretary (P&D), and secretaries of irrigation, agriculture, education, mineral development, local bodies, livestock, health and other departments.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/05/22/local1.htm

PESHAWAR, May 21: Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao has underlined the need for including honest and dedicated people into the tribal jirga proposed to be constituted to resolve the issues confronting Fata people.

Talking to Malik Attaullah Khan Kokikhel, Ameer Salam Musakhel and other tribal elders from the Khyber and Mahmand agencies at the People’s House here on Sunday, Mr Sherpao said presence of terrorists had badly affected pace of socio-economic uplift in the tribal belt and it was duty of the people to play their role in eradication of terrorism.

He informed the tribal elders that the annual development budget for Fata would be increased from Rs4 billion to Rs10 billion. He said establishment of industrial zone in Fata would give a boost to duty-free exports across the country. He claimed that tribesmen were more inclined towards the Pakistan People’s Party and considered it as their saviour.

Mr Sherpao said some people were painting wrong picture of army and para-military forces engaged in maintenance of public order and restoration of government writ in Fata. He said operation in tribal areas was aimed at eliminating terrorists and non else.

He said the government had been taking all steps to ensure peace in Afghanistan as it was also precondition for prosperity in Pakistan.

He said Pakistan had rendered greater sacrifices for restoration of peace and contributed 250 million dollars for reconstruction in Afghanistan.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/05/22/local6.htm

KARACHI, May 23: The government is soon going to substitute the existent Lady Health Workers Programme with well trained community midwives to strengthen the Mothers and Child Health Care Programme in the province’s rural areas.

The Sindh Health Secretary, Prof Naushad Shaikh, said this on Tuesday at the inaugural ceremony of the USAID funded ‘Master Training of Trainers of Midwives’.

The training is being jointly organized by the Federal Health Ministry and the Pakistan Initiative for Mothers and Newborns (PAIMAN) in coordination with the Aga Khan Health Services. The training will continue till June 17.

He said the government was fully conscious to the lacunae in the rural sector healthcare systems, and was in the process of ensuring the presence of adequately trained community based health care workers in remote areas.

“This is particularly relevant in context to the Sindh province where 50 per cent of basic health units are not functional,” he said.

The health secretary further maintained that in the absence of qualified gynecologists in rural areas, community based midwives were being made available to combat the high incidence of maternal/infant mortality and morbidity rates.

Reiterating that the government was particularly focusing on improving health standards among women and children, he said there was a need to educate the masses and also modify their attitudes.

With regard to the recent outbreak of gastroenteritis in Hyderabad, that killed five persons and affected 2,500, he said there was also an urgency to bring together different departments such as education, water and sanitation, health.

People have to be educated about the importance of hygiene, and to make proper use of available facilities such as education family planning and health.

They should also be provided with their basic rights of clean water and proper sanitation.

Dr Nabila Ali of PAIMAN in her presentation said that 80 per cent of deliveries being handled by traditional birth attendants were complimented by the fact that there were considerable high incidence rates of maternal mortality and morbidity in the country.

To address the situation on strong grounds, 2,000 master trainers were being trained during a five year programme, she said.

PAIMAN has already started the programme in 10 districts of the Punjab, two each in Sindh and Balochistan, and a few in the NWFP.

Emphasis is on hands-on training with provision for regular assessment and follow-ups, she said.

Ms Mary Scurry, CTO-PAIMAN and Deputy Director, USAID, on the occasion said that adequate funding had been provided under the USAID programme for Pakistan, comprising tax money of the US citizens, for the five-year training programme for community midwives (CMWs).

She said the Sukkur and Dadu districts in Sindh, and Jaffarabad and Lasbella in Balochistan, were being covered under the community-based midwifery training.

She said that similar programmes had also been initiated in selected districts of the Punjab and the NWFP.

The speaker, herself a qualified nurse, observed that the most crucial aspect of the training would be hands-on experience and improved capacities of the trained CMWs to adopt proper approaches and make right decisions at the right time, benefiting the mother and child.

“This has to be strongly and efficiently inculcated among the trainees to help them emerge as reliable support for the community on sustainable basis.”

She also mentioned that under the USAID, programmes on family planning, TB eradication, HIV/Aids prevention and treatment were also being funded besides giving short- and medium-term loans for women empowerment schemes along with scholarships for Pakistani students in Pakistani as well as American universities.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/05/24/local21.htm

LANDI KOTAL: A continuous row over the acquisition of land is hampering the construction of a full-fledged customs complex in Torkham along the Pak-Afghan border.

The government had announced the construction of a well-equipped complex in Torkham in 2003, but the project is yet to be materialised.

The construction of the customs complex was aimed at improving trade relations with Afghanistan and Central Asian States, besides providing jobs to hundreds of tribesmen.

According to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), 20 per cent exports of Pakistan are being done through the Torkham border. The construction of a full-fledge custom complex having all the facilities required for smooth and fast trading will increase the exports.

The proposed complex will consist of computerised offices, a bank, an FIA office, a passport office, steel shades, two overhead bridges, a petrol pump, a restaurant, a well-equipped customs clearing office for fast custom clearing and a huge parking area to cater for the ever-increasing number of long vehicles.

The area, which was to be acquired for the complex, is the combine property of Khugakhel, sub-tribe of Shinwari. Many Khugakhel elders complained that the custom officials never took them into confidence while devising the complex plan. Many of them alleged that the Khyber Agency administration had in 2003 furnished false information to then NWFP governor Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah on the acquisition of land for the project.

A total of 750,000 square metres of land would be required for the construction of the complex, a government official said, adding that a one-kilometer-long road would also be made dual carriage from the border point towards the complex. The road will also have side pavements.

Khugakhel elder and ex-MNA Haji Gulab Shinwari says the project upon its completion would render at least 200 Khugakhel families homeless, besides demolishing a market consisting of around 500 shops. He said that his tribe was not ready to surrender an inch of their land to the government unless they were taken into confidence and duly compensated.

Haji Gulab alleged that custom authorities were withholding the monthly rents of their present offices since long despite a written agreement with the Khugakhel tribe to this effect.

http://thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=8308

FAISALABAD: The Faisalabad Development Authority would develop the FDA City on modern and scientific lines to bring about a positive cultural change in this textile capital of the world, said City District Nazim Rana Zahid Tausif late Friday night.

Addressing a function of computerised balloting of plots in this housing colony sprawling over 1208 acres of land near Motorway (M-2) on Sargodha Road, he asked the authority to develop this city to cater to the needs of the coming generations with all basic amenities of life.

Criticising developers of private colonies, he added they have fully conned people without giving them fundamental amenities. “Still 106 private colonies are without electricity,” he claimed.

Here, FDA director general Raja Safdar Hussain said work to add two lanes to the Sargodha Road would be started from July this year, which would enhance value and importance of the FDA City.” The authority would keep its management after its development and a project management unit would be created to undertake this while rules and regulations are being prepared for this, he added and also claimed the base level of buildings in this city would be strictly adhered to rules to maintain symmetry and beauty.

FDA would also provide 840 contracted residences to retired provincial government employees through Punjab Housing Foundation, he maintained.

Earlier, 1601 plots of one-Kanal, 1840 of 10-Marla and 1816 of five-Marla were allotted to people through the ballot.

PIA CHIEF DUE ON 30TH:

The chairman and chief executive of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will visit here on May 30.

He will do to local PIA offices besides addressing industrialists and businessmen at Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) at 11 am. FCCI chairman Mian Muhammad Hanif along with executive committee members will welcome the PIA chief Tariq Kirmani. They will demand resumption of international and Haj flights from Faisalabad.

http://thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=8321

HYDERABAD, May 29: District Nazim Kanwar Naveed Jamil has said that work on laying of a water pipeline from the filter plant to Sehrish Nagar will be completed soon at a cost of Rs70 million. He also said that work on four mega projects and other development schemes of Rs400 million was in progress in Qasimabad taluka. The nazim was speaking as chief guest at a function held in connection with the laying of 27-inch sewers and construction of roads in Qasimabad taluka on Monday.

Work on six more sewerage schemes would be started in near future, he added.

DCO Hyderabad Mohammad Hussain Syed, HDA Director-General Tahir Ahmed, EDO works and services Abdul Haleem Ghori and other officials of the district government were present on the occasion.

He said that in the first phase, Rs80 million would be spent on the sewerage line scheme and construction of roads from Marvi town to Gulistan-i-Sajjad.

In the second phase, he said, the sewerage line would be laid from Sindhi Muslim Society to Sheedi Goth pumping station, from where the sewage would be discharged into the treatment plant through a big pipeline. Treated water would be used for irrigation, he added.

When work on sewerage and water supply pipelines was completed, construction of a modern asphalt concrete road would be started, he said.

He said construction of two parks in Bhittai town and Naseem Nagar would also be completed very soon while the work on the renovation and beautification of Rani Bagh at a cost of Rs50 million was also proceeding at a hectic pace.

CITY TALUKA: Speaking at another function on the Qazi Abdul Qayoom Road, city taluka Hyderabad, Kanwar Naveed Jamil said the district government would also lay sewerage and water supply lines and construct roads in cantonment areas.

He said, in order to keep the city neat and clean, hydraulic lifters were being provided to 41 union councils of Hyderabad. The authorities had decided to hire services of only one contractor for the construction of roads, laying of sewerage and water pipelines to complete all the development works without any delay.

He sought cooperation of citizens, especially businessmen, to ensure completion of all development schemes.

Nazim City Taluka Javed Jabbar, Taluka Naib Nazim Shabbir Chishti, officials of the district government and elected representatives were present on the occasion.

The district nazim said work on sewerage mega projects in the city taluka would be completed in three phases at a cost of Rs70 million. He said the work would be started in June and completed within one year.

He pointed out that the population of Hyderabad had increased manifold, but no attention had been paid to the extension, repair and replacement of sewerage lines, which had been in 1973.

He said storm water drains were being used as sewerage lines whereas the rainwater collected on the roads, bazaars and streets.

He made it clear from now on sewage would not be discharged into the Phulelli canal. However, it would be used for irrigation after treatment.

DRINKING WATER: The managing director Wasa, HDA, announced here on Monday that following the release of 1,000 cusecs fresh water by the irrigation department downstream the Kotri Barrage, water supply from Hussainabad and Latifabad unit No. 4 water works had been resumed.

He said water samples from 100 different places had been obtained and tested in the laboratories.

HYDERABAD: The Hyderabad district government has sought financial as well as technical assistance from the World Bank to implement its solid waste management scheme.

District Coordination Officer (DCO) Muhammad Hussain Syed, Briefing a two-member World Bank mission, including David Hanrahan, Lead Environment Specialist Infrastructure & Environment South Asia Region and Javaid Afzal, Environment Specialist in Islamabad, he said the disposal of solid and hospital waste was a major concern of the district government.

The DCO said Hyderabad was a growing city and was turning into a big urban centre of the province. “Due to population influx, the city was facing multi-environmental problems, causing health hazards and deterioration of civic infrastructure in the city.”

He said the continuing increase in solid, liquid and hospital wastes has created many environmental problems, especially increase in the ratio of Hepatitis B & C patients, unhygienic-oriented diseases, indecent condition, and choking of drainage system.

Hanrahan said the purpose of their visit to Hyderabad was to know about the environmental problems being experienced by the citizens and district government and to ascertain areas where district government needs support of the bank. He asked the district government to prioritise their issues that would be evaluated by the bank for assistance. “We are engaged in environmental survey of Pakistan to see potential for bringing projects with the consultation of all stakeholders including district governments,” he added.


http://thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=8707

UAE to pump billions of dollars into Pakistan
Three MoUs inked for cooperation in development of mega projects; Dubai Islamic Bank to operate 50 branches

By Shakil Shaikh

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) vowed Tuesday to further cement the whole gamut of their relations and focus on boosting economic and trade ties, defence and security relations, and invest in mega infrastructure development projects.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and visiting Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al-Maktoum held talks on the whole-range of relations. They held a one-on-one meeting in which the two leaders agreed to expand and further strengthen their relations at a time when the two countries also signed three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) for cooperation in development of mega infrastructure projects, bringing in investment running into billions of dollars, besides permission to the Dubai Islamic Bank to operate fifty branches in Pakistan.

The two leaders held a second round of talks and it was joined by their aides in which discussion was focused on bilateral matters of mutual interest. The signing of these MoUs were witnessed by Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al-Maktoum and Shaukat Aziz here at the Prime Minister House.

The first MoU was signed between the Ministry of Ports and Shipping and Emmar Properties for development, improvement and modernization of infrastructure in the country and it was signed by Minister for Ports and Shipping Babar Khan Ghauri and Chairman Emmar Properties Muhammad Ali Abbar.

The second MoU pertains to development of Karachi Beach Front and was signed by Minister for Ports and Shipping Babar Khan Ghauri and Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem of the Dubai World. The third MoU is regarding investment in mega infrastructure projects. It was signed by Umar Ahmed Ghuman, Minister of State for Privatisation and Investment and Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem of the Dubai World.

Under this significant agreement investors from UAE will inject around $100 billion in various projects, including construction of residential buildings and towns, highways, airports and commercial development, increasing country’s GDP to billions of dollars.

Prime Minister Aziz invited the investors and businessmen from UAE to tap the tremendous real estate potential in Pakistan and bid for various infrastructure projects including roads, rail and ports.

UAE is the largest investor in Pakistan and has shares in Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd (PTCL), airlines, financial business, real estate and tractors. It has invested over $2.5 billion in different projects in the country.

The UAE side expressed desire to further increase its investments in the country and build a world-class infrastructure. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said Pakistan was “delighted” that the Dubai Islamic Bank was expanding its operations in Pakistan, which would further strengthen business ties between the two countries.

Trade between the two countries totalled $2.78 billion last year, with balance in favour of the UAE due to Pakistan’s import of oil and oil products. In their exclusive one-to-one meeting, Prime Minister Aziz said the two countries enjoyed common faith, culture and history and expressed resolve to further strengthen ties with UAE.

The two leaders also agreed that OIC provides an ideal platform to project the true image of Islam and also to promote its message of interfaith, inter-cultural and inter-civilization harmony. They underscored the need to dispel the misperceptions of misgivings about Islam through concerted and united efforts of the Ummah.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz apprised the ruler of Dubai of the regional situation in the context of Pakistan’s relations with India, Afghanistan and Iran. He said the composite dialogue with India was going apace and said Pakistan wants the process of dispute management to move to dispute resolution to arrive at an early settlement of the Kashmir dispute.

He said Pakistan desired a resolution in keeping with the wishes of the Kashmiri people to establish sustainable peace in South Asia. The prime minister said Pakistan is a peaceful country, committed to promoting peace and prosperity in the region by maintaining minimum credible deterrence.

About Iran’s nuclear issue, he said Pakistan desires a settlement through dialogue and was against the use of force. He said Pakistan recognizes Iran’s right to use of nuclear technology for power generation under IAEA safeguards, but made it clear that Pakistan was opposed to its acquisition of nuclear weapons.

He said Pakistan would continue to support the Afghan government and believes in a strong and stable Afghanistan. He said Pakistan is keen to expand its trade and economic ties with Afghanistan and countries of the Central Asia. He said Pakistan’s trade with Afghanistan was growing rapidly and has risen to $1.5 billion.

The prime minister said Pakistan’s energy requirements were growing and it was exploring the possibility of constructing gas pipelines from Iran to Pakistan and onward to India besides one from Turkmenistan via Afghanistan, Pakistan and India.

The UAE prime minister said Pakistan, its leadership and people were held in high esteem in the UAE and that Pakistan was the first country outside the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council to be visited by him.

APP adds: Earlier, the visiting dignitary called on President General Pervez Musharraf and discussed with him a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues of common interest and underscored the importance of special relations between the two countries.

The president expressed satisfaction with growing economic ties between Pakistan and the UAE and hoped that the two countries would further expand bilateral relations through increased commerce and investment cooperation.

He informed the UAE leader about favourable investment climate in Pakistan and said the country has become an attractive destination for foreign entrepreneurs on the back of continued robust growth and consistency of policies. Sheikh Maktoum reciprocated Musharraf’s views and stated that the two countries are tied in strong bonds of fraternal relationship.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=1125

hey salaam to every1......
i would just like to ask if there are any websites..on Alamgir Tower, Sheikh Zayed Complex and Expo Centre.....I would really appriciete it...thanx..

HYDERABAD, May 31: District Nazim Kanwar Naveed Jamil has said that he will lay foundation stones next month of three health and medical facilities — a hospital in Qasimabad, the other on the Hali Road and a trauma centre.

Thirsty-five beds would be added to the Lady Dufferen Hospital which has only 85 beds, he said while speaking at the foundation-stone laying ceremony of Khadija Hospital in Latifabad unit No. 8 on Wednesday.

This hospital is being constructed at a cost of Rs10 million. In the first phase, it will have 10 beds, in the second, 50 while in the third phase, 100 beds.

About the trauma centre, he said, it would have an helipad and specialist doctors to provide immediate treatment to victims of natural calamities and accidents. Kanwar Naveed Jamil announced that the district government was determined to establish a network of schools and hospitals in all the four talukas of the district.

EDO works and services Abdul Haleem Ghori, MQM’s sector in-charge, nazims and naib nazims of union councils and a large number of people of the area were present on the occasion.—Bureau

http://www.dawn.com/2006/06/01/local24.htm

MIRPURKHAS, May 31: The District Coordination Officer of Mirpurkhas, Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah, has said that phase-IV of the urban water supply scheme and urban drainage scheme phase-III would be completed at a cost of Rs600 million.

According to a handout issued here on Wednesday, the DCO said that the urban water supply scheme phase-IV would be completed in four years and work on this project was initiated in 2005.

He said that after its completion three million gallons of water per day would be supplied to 317,000 people.

He said that under the project five water reservoirs at West Jamrao and seven water reservoirs at East Jamrao would be constructed and two filter plants would be established.

The DCO said that drainage scheme phase-III project would be completed at a cost of Rs198.7 million and sewerage water would be disposed through LBOD SCARP (Salinity Control and Rehabilitation Project) drain.

He added that 50 per cent amount of the projects would be provided by federal government while 25 per cent cost would be borne by the provincial government.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/06/01/nat44.htm

QUETTA, May 31: Quetta City District Government Nazim Mir Maqbool Ahmad Lehri has said 24 tube-wells have been installed over the past 45 days and 16 more will be made operational in the next few days to overcome the shortage of water in the city.

Speaking at a function organised on the occasion of laying new water pipelines in the Satellite town and the Raisani Road area on Wednesday, the nazim said the water shortage problem would be solved in phases.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/06/01/nat18.htm

Pakistani balls to be used in World Cup



By Our Sports Reporter


ISLAMABAD, May 31: German Ambassador Dr. Gunter Mulack said on Wednesday that Pakistan will make their mark at the FIFA World Cup through their footballs.

"Pakistan will almost be in every match," Mulack told a news conference at the German Embassy, on the eve of the tournament.

For a nation that can only dream of qualifying for the elite competition, a good number of their footballs to be used in the showpiece event means Pakistan will be well represented at the June 9 to July 9 finals in Germany.

Mulack felt that despite exporting quality footballs, the Pakistani manufacturers needed to make efforts to promote the game within the country.

The ambassador said that if ever there was a serious initiative from Pakistan seeking German assistance in football, it would be considered positively.

"We can look into the possibility of sending a trainer."

While hoping for a well-organised tournament, Mulack said that it was an honour for Germany to be hosting the finals for a second time.

http://dawn.com/2006/06/01/spt1.htm

KARACHI, June 1: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has said that Sindh's new fiscal budget will be a tax-free surplus budget with highest allocations for the development sector.

He was addressing a pre-budget high level meeting at the Chief Minister House here on Thursday.

The meeting was attended by Senior Minister Syed Sardar Ahmed, Provincial Ministers Shoaib Ahmed Bukhari, Pir Sadruddin Shah Rashdi, Irfanullah Khan Marwat, Shabbir Ahmed Qaimkhani, Sardar Nadir Akmal Leghari, Dr Hamida Khuhro, Adviser on Finance M.A. Jalil, Chief Secretary Fazlur Rehman, ACS Development Ghulam Sarwar Khehro, Senior Member of BOR Syed Anwar Haider and other senior officials.

The chief minister pointed out that during fiscal 2004-05, the development outlay was Rs20.805 billion which was higher by Rs14.731 billion while during 2005-06 Rs24 billion was earmarked for the purpose besides Rs4.75 billion of the Foreign Project Assistance.

He said as a result of regularity and special monitoring of development activities, there had been improvement in the utilization of funds and physical progress.

He said that as against Rs9.25 billion spent during 2003-04, Rs13 billion was spent in 2004-05 while Rs20 billion is estimated to be spent during the current fiscal.

The chief minister said that for ADP 2004-05 and 2005-06, the funds were provided by the Sindh government out of its own resources.

He said the size of 2004-05 ADP was 60 percent higher than 2003-04 ADP while that of 2005-06 was higher by 34 per cent than the 2004-05 ADP.

Dr Arbab said that special attention would be paid on the development of health and education sectors in the new financial year.

Chief Minister Dr Arbab said that Sindh's economy was on the path of development and assured that funds earmarked for the Annual Development Programme would be released immediately so that the ongoing development process in the province was further geared up. He declared that the loan acquired from the Federal Government would be returned with interest.

Citing examples of development activities in the province, the chief minister said that so far 6,000 kilometres of roads had been built, which did not find a parallel in the past.

He said special funds would be allocated for the provision of medicines for government hospitals to ensure better medical facilities there.

In the new financial year, he said, the condition of district hospitals would be improved to help the local people in their respective districts while in the civil hospitals, emergency wards would be improved with the provision of better facilities.

The chief minister said on the directive of the Federal Government the salaries of primary teachers would be raised in all the provinces while all government employees would be given 10 per cent dearness allowance.

The chief minister said that at present Sindh was getting a revenue of Rs35 billion from oil and gas while the province was meeting the country's 72 per cent gas requirement. He said the province expected enhanced revenues during the new fiscal.

He told the meeting that all canals and water courses would be lined during the new financial year and desilting of 200 canals out of 333 would be carried out.

He said an inspection unit would be established in the Board of Revenue to preserve the record of government land on which Rs14 million would be spent. He said the record of all the departments would be preserved in the Sindh Archives.

Dr Arbab Rahim further stated that Sindh's goths would be regularised and would be provided with the maximum facilities under the Sindh Rural Development Scheme.

He referred to plans for preserving buildings of archaeological importance and heritage and said government barracks would be demolished to construct government offices.

He said two old buildings, the Napier Barracks and Free Mason Lodge, would be preserved.

The chief minister said that nature had blessed Sindh with immense natural resources and it had the world's best granite reserves. He said work was going on on 39 mineral schemes.

He disclosed that an airport would be built in Tharparkar and small dams would be constructed in the province to store water for supply to arid areas.

According to him six new schemes would be started in the agriculture sector while three cold storages and three new sabzi mandis would be constructed besides increased allocations for agriculture research. He called for research on banana, wheat and sugarcane.

He stated that cattle colonies would be developed in every district, the coastal areas of Karachi developed and fishermen would be provided with loans. He said schemes of water supply and sewerage for cities and villages would be launched to provide maximum relief to people.—APP

http://www.dawn.com/2006/06/02/local8.htm

HYDERABAD, June 1: District Nazim Kanwar Naveed Jamil has said that out of a Rs2.5 billion allocation for mega projects, work has already been started on two filter plants and four water supply lines.

He said that after work on the projects was completed, the problem of water supply in the city would be solved.

He was speaking on the occasion of inauguration of water supply lines in Ghummanabad and Pathan Colony on Wednesday.

City Taluka Naib Nazim Ghulam Shabbir Chishti, UC-3 Nazim Q. Mohammad Hakim, HDA director-general Tahir Ahmed and Wasa managing-director Sohail Yazdani were present on the occasion.

Kanwar Naveed Jamil said that residents of Ghummanabad, Pathan colony, Dadan Shah colony, Gharibabad, Sarfaraz colony and adjoining areas had been facing the problem of an acute shortage of water and they were forced to drink contaminated water.

He said that the problem should have been solved 20 years back but the people had not only ignored with regard to water supply but they were also deprived of other basic facilities.

He said the district government was giving a top priority to the water supply issue.

He said that the work on the construction of filter plants in Paretabad and Hala Nako had already been started which would cost Rs700 million.

He said that in addition to this, a big water pipeline was also being laid from Paretabad to Fateh Chowk at a cost of Rs80 million to provide clean water to residents of American Quarters, Hali Road, Zeal Pak Colony and adjoining areas.

The nazim said that pipelines were also being laid from Hala Nako and Latifabad-4 to supply water to different areas of Rishi Ghat and Latifabad.

He said that another water pipeline was being laid from old filter plant to Sehrish Nagar at a cost of Rs80 million.

He gave other details about water supply schemes and said that an amount of Rs1 billion was being spent only on the water supply schemes.


http://www.dawn.com/2006/06/02/local25.htm

HYDERABAD, June 1: DCO Mohammad Hussain Syed has sought financial and technical assistance from the World Bank to supplement the district government’s efforts to resolve its multiple environmental problems which seriously threaten peoples’ health and cause deterioration of the infrastructure.

Mr Hussein was briefing a two-member World Bank team about the district’s steps for waste management. He said that the increasing solid, liquid and hospitals wastes without a proper mechanism in place for their disposal had posed grave danger to environment.

The World Bank team comprising Mr David Hanrahan, leading environmental infrastructure specialist for South Asian region and Mr Javaid Afzal, environment specialist based at Islamabad, met with the DCO and other district government officials on environmental assessment strategy and implementation of the National Environmental Plan (NEP).

The DCO said that the growing environmental problems had given rise to hepatitis-B and C patients and aggravated insanitation which caused the drainage system to chock now and then.

In addition, unplanned disposal of industrial waste, smoke emitting and noisy vehicles including rickshaws and traffic congestion were polluting the city’s air, he said.

He said that the district lacked a proper environment management set-up. Unfortunately “we do not have any environmental policy at gross-root level, it is functioning only at the federal and provincial level”, he said.

Mr Hussein said that the district was preparing an integrated plan with all the stakeholders for the disposal of solid and hospital waste in an efficient manner. A landfill site would be identified for the purpose outside the city, he added.

He said that under this plan the district had decided to buy 41 waste collecting vehicles, which would be provided to each union council of the district. Besides, the district was considering involving private sector to get desired results, he said.

The DCO said that any investment, financial or technical, by the World Bank in implementing the plan would be welcomed. The district would also seek help from the NOGs and CBOs already working in the field, he said.

He said that the district was considering installing incinerators and waste recycling plants in the city which required technical assistance.

Responding to a question, the DCO said that the district, faced with the problem of water-contamination caused by old and worn-out water supply lines, had launched mega development projects for laying water supply and sewerage system to provide filtered and safe drinking water to people within three years.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/06/02/local24.htm

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PESHAWAR - June 02, 2006: Commuters are inconvenienced by the sluggish pace of work on the Rehman Baba Intersection, a key traffic junction in the city.—Dawn

Over 1.5 million broadband users by 2010: Leghari

Staff Report

LAHORE: Pakistan was expected to have more than 1.5 million broadband users by 2010, Information Technology Minister Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari said in a statement on Friday.

Referring to the recent contract between Wateen Telecom and Motorola for the deployment of the wireless Wi-Max network in Pakistan, he said that the contract reflected Pakistan’s improved image in the world as “one of the most rapidly growing markets of the world”.

“It is encouraging to note that this is the first-ever commercial contract for nationwide Wi-max deployment in the world, making it a historical milestone for Pakistan’s IT (information technology) sector,” he said.

Wateen Telecom, a subsidiary of Warid Telecom, and Motorola signed the $60-million contract on May 23 for the deployment of Wi-max across the country. When the project is implemented, Pakistan will become the first country in the world to have the 802.16e Wi-Max technology for wireless local loop application, serving residential and corporate customers for data and voice at unprecedented data rates.

The minister predicted that Wi-Max would prove to be the “driving force” behind this revolution. “The government is trying to encourage initiatives aimed at broadband penetration, and the ‘Broadband Pakistan’ programme is a major step in connecting the unconnected and bridging the digital divide,” he said.

The Wi-Max technology uses Internet Protocol Multimedia System (IMS) core architecture, making it the first fourth generation network. The initial deployment of the wireless broadband voice and data network will be completed by the end of the year, using Motorola’s access network, subscriber units, IMS core and services based on the 802.16e mobile Wi-Max standard. Motorola’s carrier-class Wi-Max network supports both the 2.5-GigaHertz (GHz) and 3.5-GHz frequency spectrums, and uses special antenna techniques to provide greater coverage range and building penetration.




http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\06\03\story_3-6-2006_pg7_35

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has called upon the investors to set up more and more industries in Sindh and cooperate with Sindh government towards industrial development.

Talking to a delegation of Small-Medium Industrial Leasing Estates on Saturday, he pointed out there is lot of room for investment in agro-based industry.

He informed a big grain mandi like vegetable market would be setup in Karachi which will have ware houses for storing all kinds of grains.

He said a plan is underway for setting up Sindh Industrial Estates in Karachi and interior of Sindh while Small-Medium Industrial Leasing Estates will be allotted 500 acres of land to make investors set up their small industries there.

He made it clear that no land allotted for industrial purposes could now be sold by any allottee. If no industry will be established in two years, the land allotted will be cancelled.

He informed the delegation that Sindh has a bumper wheat crop this year and reactivated Sindh Seed Corporation is playing an active role in the field of agriculture. He said that increased funds would be allocated next year for crop development and research.

He told the visitors that rice cultivation had started from Sindh and rice seeds were recovered from 5000-year old Moenjo Daro civilization, which shows that rice is being cultivated here for over 5000 years.

At present, he said, Basmati rice is being cultivated and it is very popular in Saudi Arabia and South Africa. Dr Arbab directed the Secretary Agriculture to approach the federal government for registration of Basmati variety of Sindh rice. app

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\06\04\story_4-6-2006_pg5_9

KARACHI, June 4: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has accorded approval to filling up of 710 vacancies in the Education Department in Umerkot district. This would cost Rs38.8 million annually to the provincial exchequer.According to a statement issued by the CM’s House on Sunday, Dr Arbab said the move was part of the government’s efforts towards providing employment opportunities and maximum education facilities to the people of rural areas at par with those available in the urban areas.

The chief minister also ordered the increase in overtime from Rs700 to Rs1,000 for drivers of the Services & General Administration Department.

He ordered a one-year extension in the service period of 66 watchmen of the provincial food department, and a pilot, Major Abbas.

The chief minister sanctioned Rs2.7 million for the procurement of flood relief equipment -- boats, searchlights, etc. He warned that no misappropriation in the flood relief funds or slackness in the discharge of duty would be tolerated.

Dr. Arbab also directed the concerned officials to issue show-cause notices to the chief engineers of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board, Khalid Malik and Asudo Mal; and superintendent engineers Jameel Akhter and Imran Asif for showing negligence in the discharge of their duties.

He said the engineers would be sacked if the charge was proved.

The statement said that the chief minister sanctioned an amount of Rs200,000 for the construction of security shade at sessions court Qambar district and Rs0.5 million for Dur Mohammad Library of the same district for purchasing books.

Dr Arbab ordered construction of the 50-km Nabisar-Borelo and Mithi-Tingano via Gadyar road, costing Rs32.4 million. He also accorded approval to the upgrading of the post of principal of the police training centers in Karachi and Shahdadpur.

The new title for the post is ‘commandant’. Officials of the rank of DIG in grade-20 would be posted at these offices.


http://www.dawn.com/2006/06/05/local18.htm

HYDERABAD: The Hyderabad district government has chalked out an effective health policy, under which the number of hospitals will be increased.

The district Nazim, Kanwar Naveed Jamil, said on Sunday the existing hospitals of the district government would be upgraded to ensure quality health facilities to the poor of Hyderabad and other districts of the province.

Speaking at a foundation stone laying ceremony at the CDF Hospital, the Nazim said the health sector was a second priority of the district government after education and funds have been earmarked accordingly.

Jamil said the health policy aimed at improving the health infrastructure to cater to the needs of the growing population of Hyderabad and Interior Sindh. He said increasing the capacity of the hospital from 85 to 130 beds was also part of the health policy. Work on extension of the hospital would be completed in two years at an estimated cost of Rs 16 million, he added. The three new hospitals—one each at Sehrish Nagar, Hali Road and Latifabad—would also have trauma centres, Jamil said, adding that the hospitals at Kohsar and Tando Qaisar have already been made functional.

The Nazim said foundation stones of a food testing laboratory and a hospital at Latifabad have been laid, while work on a trauma centre and a hospital at Sehrish Nagar would begin next week.

The district government has also planned upgradation of the standards of the existing health facilities to the level of private hospitals, he said and added that a recent survey concluded that 3.5 million people get medical treatment from the district government’s hospitals annually.

He said monitoring committees have been formed to ensure quality services to the people of the district. Members of these committee pay surprise visits to check functioning of the hospitals.


http://thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=9412

HYDERABAD: District Nazim Hyderabad Kanwar Naveed Jamil laid the foundation stone the other day of a food testing laboratory to be constructed at a cost of Rs9.77 million at SITE.

Speaking on the occasion, the Nazim said after Karachi it would be the only laboratory that would provide food-testing facilities to the people of Hyderabad and the rest of Sindh. He said the district government had taken the step in order to prevent the practice of adulteration and provide safe food for the people.

“This step will pave the way for establishment of such laboratories in other districts as well and now there will be no room for illegal profiteers who were playing with the health of innocent people.”

He said provision of safe food and drinking water was the prime duty of the district government that would be provided at any cost. EDO Health Dr Nazar Muhammad Junejo, EDO Works & Services Abdul Haleem Ghouri, Taluka Nazim Latifabad Sabir Kaimkhani, Taluka Naib Nazim City Shabbar Chusti and other officials of the district government were also present.

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MULTAN, June 5: The Tourism Development Corporation Punjab (TDCP) has sought services of a qualified consultancy firm to conduct a survey of Fort Munro, the only hill station in south Punjab, for the installation of a chairlift.

TDCP general manager (operations) Khaqan Babar told APP on Monday the government was committed to install a chairlift/cable car at Fort Munro to offer entertainment facilities to the tourists.

He said an advertisement had been given in newspapers seeking services of some consultancy firm having qualified experts to conduct a survey of the hill station to point out how long a chairlift could be installed, at what suitable points, and what was the direction of the wind flow and the cost involved.

Located at over a 6,400 feet height, the hill station is a part of Dera Ghazi Khan district near inter-provincial Boata check post at Punjab-Balochistan boundary, some 186km off here, and 86 km off the DG Khan city.

The officials said the hill station had rest houses of different government departments, a TDCP motel, a hospital and two lakes. Water supply had already resumed to Fort Munro after recent rehabilitation of its water supply scheme solving a major problem. Road access to the hill station was being improved and the scheme was near completion.

bail rejected: Police on Monday arrested an acid throwing case accused soon after Anti-Terrorism Court No 1 rejected his bail.

Accused Riaz Ahmad and co-accused Allah Wadhaya and Ashiq had thrown acid on Saeed Ahmad and his wife at their residence in Ramzanwala village, Jalalpur Pirwala town, on May 18 inflicting burn wounds on them.

The motive behind the attack was stated to be a dispute among the women from both families.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/06/06/nat19.htm

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister Sindh Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has approved the grant of 300 acres of government land on lease for the extension of SITE area. He gave†the go-ahead in a meeting with Provincial Minister for Industries Adil Siddiqui and District Nazim Hyderabad Kanwar Naveed Jameel in Karachi.

A spokesman for the City District Government said District Nazim Hyderabad had forwarded the request to Sindh chief minister sometime ago, which came under discussion during the recent meeting, leading to its approval by the chief minister.

According to District Nazim, this step would not only boost investment in the district but also create job opportunities through the setting up of more industries over the extended area. It would also pave the way for the development of infrastructure facilities like five-star hotel, restoration of air services, increase in multinational companies and international sports activities.

He said it was the old demand of industrialists but was not pursued properly as such the matter remained in pending. The nazim said he was trying to fulfill all commitments made with the industrialists so that economic activities in the district could be accelerated.

Meanwhile, Acting President Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HCCI) Azizuddin Arain urged the provincial industries minister to immediately start development of infrastructure over the 300 acres extended land for SITE Hyderabad.

In a statement, he thanked Chief Minister Sindh Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim, Industries Minister Adil Siddiqui and District Nazim Hyderabad Kanwar Naveed Jameel for extending the SITE area.

http://thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=9560

ISLAMABAD: A record number of 18 new sports development projects have been proposed as the government allocated Rs 280 million for the purpose in 2006-07 budget announced on Monday.

An amount of Rs 216.99 million has been proposed for the establishment of these new projects, while the rest of the amount will be spent on the completion of seven projects, which are already under way.

The allocation for the development projects in last year’s budget was around Rs 330 million. Although the government has allocated Rs 50 million less for the sports development projects this year, a record numbers of 18 new sports projects will start this year.

“It is not the total amount but the start of the new projects that matters. Next year, the government will have to allocate more funds for the completion of these projects which takes around two years time to compete,” an official of the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) told The News on condition of anonymity.

The new projects this year include installation of five new artificial hockey turfs to be laid in Swat, Khuzdar, Muzaffarabad, Sargodha and Gilgit. The total cost on laying of the five new turfs would be around Rs 175 million.

The government has also proposed renovation of the Hockey Club of Pakistan Karachi at an estimated cost of Rs 160 million. Besides replacing the turf, the renovation of the stadium is also planned. The roof treatment of the multimillion rupees Liaquat Gymnasium Islamabad would also cost the government around Rs 6 million.

The government has also proposed establishment of a Sports Medicine Centre in Islamabad at a cost of Rs 39.543 million. The centre would have all the necessary facilities that could usually be found at such centre abroad. It would be for the first time that such a centre will be established in the country.

A baseball stadium construction has also been proposed for Islamabad at a cost of Rs 7.662 million. Around Rs 13 million has been proposed to raise the standards of the Malam Jabba Ski resort. The Ski Federation wants to raise the standards of the resort to the international level. The construction of sports stadiums at two separate places in the district of Kasur has also been proposed. It will cost the government around Rs 27 million to raise the two stadiums in Pattoki and Chunian in the Kasur district.

Construction of Stadiums in Gujranwala, Dir and Swat has been proposed. The three projects are expected to cost the government around Rs 21 million. Construction of sports hostels — one each in Lahore and Karachi — are planned at a cost of Rs 48 million. Another Rs 5 million has been proposed for the construction of a Sports Stadium in Taxila.

An amount of Rs 64 million would be utilised for the completion of seven ongoing sports infrastructure development projects in the country. This includes construction of sports stadiums each at Skardu, Sialkot and Jhang. An amount of Rs 120 million has been proposed for the completion of two boxing gymnasiums one each in Karachi and Islamabad. The sports development budget is in addition to non-development budget of sports. The PSB non-development budget that also includes the salaries of employees is around Rs 250 million.

http://thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=9656

KARACHI: The Sindh government and Allianz EFU Health Insurance Ltd signed a deal for the medical insurance of Sindh government employees at the office of Advisor M. A. Jalil Tuesday.

Jalil said that around 4,500 Sindh Secretariat employees and 3,000 non-secretariat employees from BPS-1 to 20 would benefit in the first phase. The Sindh government would pay Rs 60 million to the insurance company, annually, which would provide medical insurance cover from Rs 30,000 to Rs 100,000 per annum to the covered employees, he added. He also said that about 300,000 employees are working in the Sindh government and the process of collecting their data is underway. ppi

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\06\07\story_7-6-2006_pg12_6

CHITRAL: In an effort to expedite the development projects in NWFP, President Musharraf has directed the government to finish the construction of Lawari Tunnel by July so that he may inaugurate it, said Amir Muqam, federal minister for political affairs, on Tuesday.

He said that development of the country was a primary concern for PML and a record annual budget of Rs 1,500 billion for the fiscal year 2006-07 was testament to their commitment.

Addressing a PML workers’ convention at Polo Ground, Chitral, he said that President Musharraf’s sole objective was the welfare of the people and the government was making every effort to stabilise and develop the nation. He said the Lawari Tunnel would be completed at a cost of Rs 12 billion.

The minister added that the Golen Gole Hydro Project, costing Rs 200 million, would also be completed in the near future. He said that the government also planned to construct the Chitral-Shunder Road as part of its development programme for 2006-07, adding that the road would help bring prosperity to the region.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\06\07\story_7-6-2006_pg7_24

ISLAMABAD: The Tourism Ministry is to receive Rs 32 million for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the PTDC-owned tourism facilities in the earthquake affected areas of the NWFP and Azad Jammu and Kashmir against an estimated loss of Rs 22 million.

According to a provisional survey report prepared by the Tourism Ministry in November 2005, approximately 154 hotels with 2594 rooms were damaged in the October 8 earthquake last year, which flattened the cities widely considered to be the tourism hub of the country. Four of the damaged hotels belonged to PTDC, with a total of 32 rooms and PTDC officials have estimated a total of Rs 22 million required for the reconstruction of the motels. The ministry, however, has allocated Rs 32 million for the rehabilitation of the PTDC-owned tourism facilities.

The total financial losses in both NWFP and AJK were estimated at Rs 762 million. NWFP was the worst hit area with 69 hotels damaged reporting an estimated loss of Rs 455.22 million, while 41 hotels were damaged in AJK with estimated financial losses worth Rs 286.060 million. The four PTDC motels damaged in the earthquake included a motel each at Balakot, Chattar Plain, Besham and Naran requiring Rs 10.2 million, Rs 1.2 million, Rs 7.60 million and Rs 3 million respectively for reconstruction in the coming year. The overall allocation for the Tourism ministry from the National Budget 2006-07 announced on Monday, is Rs 261 million out of which a major chunk of Rs 200 million will go towards the promotion of tourism and up-grading tourist information centres (TICs).

The remaining amount is specified for the development of a Bus Station at Nankana Sahib (Rs 20 million), development of a tourism website for the tourism industry (Rs 5 million) and an ongoing scheme of up-gradating tourism research studies. The government of Pakistan has decided to disinvest its PTDC-owned resources including hotels and other properties, hereby placing them on the list for privatisation.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\06\07\story_7-6-2006_pg7_35

KARACHI: The Board of Administrators of Export Development Fund (EDF) has approved and ordered the release of Rs172.7 million for Expo Centre Lahore, IDEAS 2006 Exhibition, Karachi, feasibility study of School of Fashion Design at Karachi and Islamabad and sharing the cost of registration of pharmaceutical products in foreign markets, at a meeting held at the Federal Ministry of Commerce on Tuesday.

Federal Minister for Commerce and Chairman EDF Board, Humayun Akhtar Khan presided over the meeting.

After successful operation of Expo Karachi, the Board felt that such expo centre at Lahore would also produce desired results. The Board keeping in view the success of IDEAS 2002 and 2004 considered IDEAS 2006 an ideal tool for marketing defence products.

The Board also reviewed progress of on-going schemes financed through funds from EDF and also considered proposal of establishment of Export Trade Centre in NWFP.

The commerce minister informed the meeting that the proposal would be discussed with Government of NWFP during his visit to the province shortly. Minister of State for Commerce, Chairman EPB, Secretaries, Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Textile Industry, Vice Chairman, Export Promotion Bureau and the President of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and representatives of prominent trade associations were also present at the meeting.

http://thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=9695

LAHORE: The NWFP government has provided a plot of 44 Kanal and 17 marlas in Moza Khaki, Masehra, to the Technology Upgradation and Skill Development Company (TUSDEC) for setting up of two skill development centres (SDCs).

The construction of these two SDCs is likely to be started by end of the current month. These centres will provide training in construction and hospitality skills. Youths will be provided training also in trades of electrician, masonary, shuttering carpentry, plumbing and welding. At the SDC for hospitality, training will be imparted in trades of cooking and baking, kitchen helper, waiter, house keeping, tourist guide, trekking guide and receptionists.

According to a TUSDEC spokesman, an agreement to this effect was signed between the NWFP government, the Pakistan Industrial Development Cor-poration (PIDC) and TUSDEC recently. Federal Minister for Industries, Production and Special Initiatives Jahangir Khan Tareen and the PIDC Board had assigned TUSDEC to set up eight SDCs in the earthquake-hit areas of the NWFP and AJK. staff report.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\06\07\story_7-6-2006_pg5_9

Malaysian firms to invest $500m in Sindh
KARACHI: A group of Malaysian companies have planned to invest US$500 million (Rs 30 billion) in various projects in the IT, environment and power sectors, which will generate 5,000 technical jobs in the province.

This was announced in a presentation given to Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad by a delegation including representatives of IRIS-RIST Group including IRIS Corporation Bhd, DRB Hicom Group Company Puspakom and MSC Power, said a statement here Sunday.

These projects include the Vehicle Registration and Driving License project (IT sector), Urban Air Quality Management and Vehicle Testing project (environment sector) and Alternative Energy Solar Wind Water Power Plants (power sector).

The Vehicle Registration and Driving License project envisages the provision of standard chip-based biometric enabled security documents. It will make available a number of facilities and services to the public on one smart card, increase security, prevent crimes especially car and motorcycle theft.

Under the Urban Air Quality and Vehicle Testing project, multiple international quality inspection and testing stations will be set up across the province to provide clean air to citizens and safety for the public.

In the power sector, the Malaysian companies will set up 10MW to 75MW solar/wind/water power plants at the national, provincial, district and tehsil/town level.

These projects would be established on a Build-Own-Operate (BOO) basis, which will not require any funding from the government. The local workforce would be trained according to international standards.

The delegation announced that work on these projects would start in six months and would be completed in two years. They requested the provincial government for cooperation.

Rs 50 billion to be spent on projects: APP reports that City Nazim Mustafa Kamal has said that various ongoing development projects in city costing a total of Rs 50 billion are likely to be completed in the next two years.

He was talking to people during visits to review ongoing work at various development projects in the city, said a statement issued by the City Government Sunday. Kamal said that the under-construction roads, underpasses and bridges will open for use within the next few months. ppi

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\06\12\story_12-6-2006_pg12_1

PESHAWAR: Federal Minister for Political Affairs Amir Muqam has said that the federal government has approved Rs 600 billion for 200 projects in NWFP, of which Rs 50 billion has been allocated in the budget.

Addressing a press conference on Sunday, the minister said that he was trying to get NWFP its due share from the federal government.

He said that the Rs 50 billion allocation would be spent under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) in all 24 districts of the province “without discrimination”. Muqam said that NWFP would get 50 percent of the royalty from Basha Diamer Dam. He said that 20 other smaller dams, including the Tank Zam Dam, the Gomal Dam, the Kurram Tangi Dam and the Munda Dam, would be constructed in the province to cater to the country’s growing water needs.

He said that President Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and Pakistan Muslim League President Shujaat Hussain had always extended complete cooperation whenever he had consulted them about problems facing NWFP. The federal government had always helped the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA)-led provincial government without any political bias, and had approved all projects for the prosperity of the people, he said.

He said that the government had approved an irrigation scheme from Chasma Right Canal in Dera Ismail Khan, which would cost Rs 25 billion, and would help cultivate thousands of acres of land.

He said that he had obtained approval from the Higher Education Commission for Rs 7 billion for the University of Peshawar, Hazara University, Gomal University, Malakand University and Engineering University Peshawar.

Muqam said that cardiology and radiology centres would be established in all teaching hospitals of the province, including Peshawar, at a cost of around Rs 2 billion. This included the upgrade of 500-bed hospitals at Dera Ismail Khan and Swat, he said.

The federal minister said that the government had also approved funds for the supply of water from Warsak Dam to Peshawar and the construction of 192 tube-wells. The construction and repair of several roads in the province, including Peshawar Northern Bypass, the Nowshera-Chitral Road, the Chakdar-Kalam Road and the Khwaza-Khela Road, had also been approved, he said.

Muqam said that the federal government had also approved Rs 8 billion for the construction of Lowari Tunnel, while another Rs 8 billion had been earmarked for various electricity projects in NWFP. Cadet colleges would be constructed at Swabi and Charsadda, he said.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\06\12\story_12-6-2006_pg7_1

KARACHI, June 15: Terming the new Sindh budget for the year 2006-07 as people friendly, the Chief Minister, Arbab Ghulam Rahim, said the government was working to lay a network of cattle colonies in every district for increasing the production of meat and milk in Sindh.

The chief minister, who was addressing a crowded press conference soon after the presentation of the new budget in the Sindh Assembly on Thursday, said that million of litres of milk would be produced in every district.

For its marketing, milk-chilling and processing plants would be installed and the transport system would be improved, he added.

He said that today’s budget was the first tax-free and surplus budget after many years in the province in which development projects had been funded from the province’s own resources.

In response to a question, Arbab said that enough funds had been allocated for law and order.

Besides, the police had killed many dacoits in the interior of Sindh and many others who were operating in Karachi were checked and were netted. However, he said that crimes could not remain until the world existed.

Regarding recruitment of over 45,000 jobs in the province, he said that from July, youths would get employment on the basis of merit.

He said there was no quota for political parties but the rules for urban and rural areas still exited.

When asked if the scheme for introduction of rationing was being worked out to check profiteering, the chief minister said that the proposal was shelved for the time being to see the scheme of franchising utility stores to general stores while new utility stores would be opened at the UC and tehsil levels.

Besides, magisterial powers would be conferred on officials to check profiteering by traders, he said.

He said that general elections would be held in 2008. However, he said, that politicians must keep in mind that elections meant accountability and they must be prepared for that.The chief minister also highlighted increased development allocations for different sectors in the new budget including for education, health, roads, water reservoirs sectors, etc.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/06/16/local16.htm

HYDERABAD: The federal minister for water and power Liaquat Ali Khan Jatoi has said that government has allocated Rs38 billion for improvement of power sector while Rs36 billion have been earmarked for water sector.

He claimed that there is no unannounced load shedding in the country and power breakdowns occur due to theft and overloading of the transmission system. He was talking to newsmen during his visit to a shop where a pre paid electricity meter was installed on experiment basis by Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO).

The minister also held separate meeting with the representatives of Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HCCI) delegation led by its acting president Azizuddin Arain. The minister said that government is working actively to provide uninterrupted power supply to the consumers in the country and allocated maximum funds in this regard in the federal budget 2006-07.

Liaquat Jatoi said that works are also in process on canals in the water sector and smaller dams would be constructed in the country to meet the rising demand of water. The minister said that pre paid electricity cards would be introduced soon in the country adding that it would bring an end to excess billing and would reduce public complaints.

He informed that the complaints of power theft and detection bills and tempering of meters would also be minimized with the introduction of pre paid electricity meters. He said that consumer would be able to know through these pre paid meters that how much electricity they are using.

Liaquat Jatoi said that there is no shortage of electricity with HESCO and added that overloading and power thefts are the main reasons for breakdowns. The HCCI delegation comprised of Akram Arain, Nadeem Siddiqui and Iqbal Ghousia proposed various suggestions to the minister about improvement of the power supply system. The HESCO chief executive Maqbool Ahmed Khawja and other officials were also present at the occasion.

http://thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=12789

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Monday said the government was committed to provide safe drinking water to the entire population and 6,036 water filtration plants, costing more than Rs 7.8 billion, would be installed by December 2007.

Chairing a meeting at the Prime Minister House to review the progress of the Safe Drinking Water for All programme, the prime minister described water-borne diseases as one of the major hazards for public health. He said that provision of safe drinking water to all by 2007 was among the top priorities of the government.

“The programme is part of the government’s preventive strategy to control water-borne diseases for a healthier and more vibrant Pakistan,” the prime minister said. He said that under the first phase of the programme, 500 water purification plants would be operational by the end of 2006; one each at every Tehsil level and by the end of 2007 every union council of the country would have at least one water purification plant.

Shaukat Aziz said the government would continue to expand the programme and plans for the third phase were being finalised. He asked the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) to identify high-risk cities in terms of water contamination and coordinate with provincial and district governments to come out with a comprehensive plan to tackle the problem.

The prime minister said the “Safe Drinking Water for All” programme, which is being funded by the federal government, would serve as a catalyst and driver for a larger programme and the provincial and local governments have also been asked to allocate funds for establishing more water filtration plants.

He said the government departments, civil society, private sector organisations and philanthropists would be encouraged and communities would be mobilised to contribute to the government’s efforts to set up more water filtration plants at schools, hospitals, parks, factories, petrol pumps and other public places.

The prime minister said the government would also initiate an “Adopt a Union Council” programme under which the private sector would be motivated to set up filtration plants at public places.

Shaukat Aziz was informed that the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Environment were coordinating with provincial and local governments and parliamentarians of the area for implementation of the programme.

The Ministry of Science and Technology would provide laboratory facilities of various levels ranging from simple bacteria testing to reverse osmosis based on the level of water contamination in the area.

The environment minister informed the prime minister that the project was making satisfactory progress in line with the roadmap and the targets were being met.

The meeting was attended among others by Minister for Environment Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat, Minister for Science and Technology Ch Nouraiz Shakoor, Minister of State for Environment Malik Amin Aslam and the deputy chairman Planning Commission.

http://thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=12928

MUZAFFARABAD: The World Bank (WB) is providing $40 million to the AJK government for the reconstruction of infrastructure hit by the Oct 8 earthquake, including schools, rural roads and offices. A World Bank team led by Task Manager Raja Rehan Arshad on Friday held a meeting with AJK Chief Secretary Development Muhammad Yousaf. The funds of $40 million are being provided for three sectors for education, local governments, the public works department and agriculture. Out of the total amount, $18 million will be spent on the reconstruction of school buildings, $11 million on reconstruction of rural roads, $10 million on rebuilding offices and $1 million on the agriculture department.

http://thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=13471

ISLAMABAD, Jul 4 (APP): Bulgarian leading businessman, Ivo Videnov who represents group of companies connected with earth-moving machinery and fabrication of gas-fired thermal power generation plants, informed Pakistan's ambassador to Romania Sanaullah that he would soon be undertaking a business trip to Pakistan to establishing a gas fired thermal power generation plant there.

According to a press release received from Bucharest, Romania, Videnov said that his company had been in touch with some Pakistani businessmen for the past one year in this regard.

Positive development in the economic field in Pakistan encouraged his company to explore the market, he added.

According to an initial market survey, Pakistan presented reasonable opportunities for Bulgaria in the field of gas-fired thermal power generation plants, selling of reconditioned earth-moving machinery and used fork-lift trucks etc.

Videnov was informed about the financial and labour regulations and how they had been made by the government investors' friendly.

He agreed with the ambassador's suggestion to act as a bridge between Pakistan Embassy in Romania and the business community in Bulgaria.

He offered to arrange business meetings, for business delegation from Pakistan which was welcomed by the ambassador.

www.app.com.pk

very good news for pakistan and this shows east EU countries are in for more gas and steel businesses in pakistan....
hope they agree and which can help stop lack of power supply in pakistan in the future...

PESHAWAR, July 4: The City District Government has unveiled a Rs7.01billion budget for the fiscal year 2006-07 with a total expenditure of Rs5.36 billion. City District Nazim Haji Ghulam Ali presenting the government’s revenue receipts and expenditure plan for the next financial year here on Tuesday claimed that the budget entails a surplus of Rs1.65 billion.

Total non-developmental expenditures have been estimated at Rs5.36 billion, while estimated cost on the development side is Rs1.46 billion. No new tax has been introduced in the budget.

Opposition councillors staged a walkout when convener Razaullah Khan did not allow a councillor to table a resolution against the attack on the Peshawar Press Club.

Nazim Riaz Bacha, who led the walkout said that under the Local Government Ordinance, 2001 the district Nazim was not authorised to present the annual budget and the head of the finance and accounts committee should do the same.

He also protested against the ruling PML’s hooligans’ attack on the Peshawar Press Club and asked the council to pass a unanimous resolution to condemn the same.

According to the budget document the district government is likely to receive Rs2.07 billion on account of its share from the divisible pool in accordance with the Provincial Finance Commission award.

Under the head of District Local Fund, an estimated amount of Rs360.23 million would be generated through municipal functions and Rs160.87 million through district grants.

The City Development and Municipal Department (CDMD) would earn Rs4.4 billion in the new financial year against its total income of Rs4.6 billion for the year 2005-06, showing a slight shortfall under this head.

Out of total expenditures of Rs5.36 billion, an amount of Rs3.9 billion would go to the non-developmental sector, while Rs1.46 billion would be spent on development of the district.

Total non-development establishment charges have been estimated to be Rs130.70 million.

The CDMD will spend an amount of Rs400 million on development, Rs100 million on the construction of underpasses on the Grand Trunk Road and total maintenance charges have been estimated at Rs520 million. The CDMD’s establishment charges have been estimated at Rs1.84 billion.

The district government has allocated Rs40.30 million for union councils for development schemes, while Citizens Community Board schemes will get Rs10.40 million. An amount of Rs582,600 has been earmarked for Civil Defence.

District Nazim Ghulam Ali said that despite limited resources the government had increased allocations by 50 per cent to be spent by district council members and allocated Rs20 million for the purpose.

He said that 100 per cent increase had been made in the funds of the union council Nazim for development schemes and Rs40.10 million had been allocated under this head.

Similarly, he said, the district government had increased operational grant of the four town councils by 105 per cent and allocated Rs70 million for the four towns.

He said that a 200kanal land would be purchased for the construction of two recreational parks and Rs10 million had been allocated for land acquisition. An amount of Rs10.60 million had been earmarked for the discretionary fund of the district Nazim, which would be utilised for special development schemes.

The district government had earmarked Rs500,000 for the promotion of local sports teams, while Rs1,000,000 had been allocated for natural disaster and calamity.

The district nazim said that the government would focus on cleanliness and sanitation in the district and a municipal waste recycling plant would be installed. Besides, mechanical sweepers will be purchased to collect dust from the main roads in the city.

An amount of Rs10 million had been allocated for the purchase of tractor trolleys to collect waste, he added.

He said that the government would also purchase an excavator machine and wireless sets at an estimated cost of Rs5 million, while Rs4 million had been allocated for ongoing schemes.


http://www.dawn.com/2006/07/05/nat11.htm

HYDERABAD: The district government Hyderabad has directed officers of the Revenue Department to submit a site plan for the establishment of a modern vegetable, fruit, fish, and meat and grain market in Qasimabad Taluka within the shortest possible time to implement the scheme approved at a cost of Rs 300 million.

DCO Muhammad Hussain Syed issued the directive while holding a meeting with Additional Secretary Agriculture Jafar Abbasi and other officers concerned of agriculture and district government at his office on Tuesday.

He said Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim was taking keen interest in boosting economic activities and provided one-window service to the people as such the establishment of two wholesale markets in each mega city has been planned.

He said that following this scheme 80 acres were being spared for the establishment of such a market in Qasimabad for which 50 acres would be spared for vegetable, fruit, fish, meat, mutton and cold storage market while remaining 30 acres would be utilised for a food-grain market.

http://thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=14141

KARACHI, July 4: Sindh Chief Minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim on Tuesday sought a list of all those towns and cities where recycling plants could be installed. He said that all those towns and cities should also be pointed out where drainage water was being discharged into irrigation water system contaminating potable water.

He asked the local government and irrigation departments to work jointly, and also ordered Sindh Planning and Development Department to submit a summary along with final recommendations to him.


http://www.dawn.com/2006/07/05/local20.htm

PESHAWAR, July 5: The NWFP wildlife department will complete the first phase of establishment of a wildlife park in Cherat by August.

An official of the wildlife department said 70 per cent work on the project had been completed.

He said the Rs38 million project had been proposed by the army and prepared by the NWFP wildlife department. An amount of Rs18.7 million will be spent in the first phase.

Cherat, a hilly area located 50 kilometres from Peshawar, is an army-controlled area. The mountains in the range have an altitude ranging from 250 metres to 1,535 metre.

The official said the objective of the project was to save wild species, which had been declared endangered, from extinction.

There are four wildlife parks in the NWFP – Tanda, Kotal, Togh Mangah and Manglot – and the Cherat park will be the fifth one.

In the first stage, a fence will be erected around an area of 50 kilometres in the Cherat hills.

The project also includes establishment of six watch posts, three small dams for storing water and forestation to further improve the habitat.

The project will be completed in three years.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/07/06/nat28.htm

KARACHI, July 5 (APP): Sindh Chief Minister, Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has said that private sector needs to be encouraged for further boosting the exports so that the country could march on the path of development.

He was chairing a briefing held in connection with Trade Policy 2006-07 at Chief Minister House here Wednesday. Federal Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar was also present on the occasion.

In the briefing the Chief Minister was informed that in the trade policy there has been zero duty on various machineries for ensuring industrial development.

It was stated that new trade policy would be spanned over next 5 years and there would be zero duty on agriculture machinery, dairy products, food products, rice machinery etc.

Addressing the meeting Chief Minister said that Sindh was basically an agriculture province and, therefore, there should be zero duty on agro-base machinery.

He said Sindh government was establishing cattle and dairy farms for which there should be minimum tax on machinery.

He said that Rs 1.50 billion had been earmarked in the new budget for agriculture development while processing zones and cold storages being constructed in seven cities for preservation of fruits and vegetables.

For the processing zone in Mirpurkhas, Sindh government had provided land, he said adding that he would personally have briefing at the site to ensure that a modern agro processing zone of international standard comes up there.

He sought special attention of Ministry of Commerce for solving the problems of Karachi Fish Harbour to promote shrimp export. He said commercial wings in Pakistani embassies abroad should cooperate for Pakistani exports.

Dr Arbab proposed modern packing system alongwith cold storages in agro-processing zones.

He referred to large scale dates production in Khairpur and recommended establishment of processing zone there so that dates packing process could be carried out as per international standard and more foreign exchange earned through increased date export.

Chief Minister also referred to abundant availability of raw material in various areas of Sindh and sought facilities for those seeking to setup industries.

He said at present high wuality basmati rice was being cultivated in Sindh, but its registration was not being allowed.

He said if Sindh Basmati was registered with the Punjab basmati, it would be encouraging for Sindh’s rice growers. He pointed out that Pakistan was exporting large quantity of rice including Sindh rice.

He told the meeting that Sindh government was encouraging establishment of industries in smaller districts. He informed that an industrial park would be established in Nangrparkar to introduce 8-colour stone found there to the world.

He directed the Secretary Mines to immediately organise a national seminar in Nangraparkar.

On the occasion Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar said the Federal Government was taking priority measures to win important place for Pakistan in the international trade and for increased exports. He said better results thereof were coming up.

He informed that display centres were being opened for Pakistani products in the capitals of world’s five major countries.

He said trade and industrial activities had received a great boost because of government measures and there had been a significant increase in the exports.

Chief Secretary Fazlur Rehman said on the occasion that private sector had an important role in the country’s industrial and economic development and Sindh Government was providing all required facilities to investors on priority basis including provision of land and other basic needs.

http://app.com.pk/n09.htm

highlighted points show that sindh govt is doing alot to reduce the poverty, by making reform in agriculture and investing in livestock.one thing more the can do is that"Leather industry" in interior sindh almost 95% people directly or indirectly are having cattles.There are some few people who are very skillful in this sector,only the thing the don't have is money.

KARACHI, July 5 (APP)- Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has said that Sindh is basically an agriculture Province and Sindh Government is providing all possible facilities to foreign investors for making investment in this sector.

He stated this while talking to a delegation of Metro group of Germany at Chief Minister House here Wednesday.

He informed the delegation that vast opportunities exist for investment in the establishment of storages etc to preserve agriculture commodities in various districts of Sindh.

This province, at present, has an ideal environment for investment and investors from several countries are approaching for making investment in Pakistan and Sindh in particular, he stated.

On the occasion, Managing Director Metro Cash and Carry Shop informed the Chief Minister that their company's outlets are doing business in 28 countries of the world. He said their company is interested in fruit and food products.

He informed that Metro will establish four Cash and Carry Wholesale distribution centres att four locations in Karachi with an investment of 90 million dollars which would help produce vast employment opportunities while accessible markets will be available to growers and fishermen for their products.

The Chief Minister assured of all cooperation of Sindh Government to Metro Group.

The Punjab Industries Minister Mohammed Ajmal Cheema, Sindh Chief Secretary Fzlur Rehman were also present on the occasion.

http://app.com.pk/n04.htm

GILGIT, July 5: The Northern Areas will get the royalty of Diamer-Bhasha dam, says President General Pervez Musharraf.

He was addressing a public gathering here on Wednesday at the end of his three-day visit to the area.

President Musharraf said that he could not take part in elections because he was a military man but if people wished him to remain in power, they should lend support to the ruling PML.

(According to Online news agency, he said: “I cannot contest the elections because I am a soldier. But if people want my leadership, they should cast vote in favour of my supporters. The day people withdraw their support, I will quit the corridors of power.”)

The president said the government had, over the past years, increased the allocation for the Northern Areas from Rs800 million to Rs4 billion.

“We are committing more resources for rapid development of the region and local people will benefit enormously from the overall progress and our vision of providing access to China and Central Asian states through the Northern Areas,” he said amid applause from the gathering. Members of the NA Legislative Council also attended the meeting.

The president said that the introduction of information technology facilities, establishment of Karakoram International University and other projects would help bring the Northern Areas into the mainstream of national development.

“We will use more resources for your progress and allocate more funds than your share. We are committed to bring the Northern Areas and Balochistan on a par with the developed parts of Pakistan and compensate for the past neglect,” he said.

President Musharraf asked the people to support the government in its efforts to curb extremism and terrorism and said that their eradication was imperative for progress.

He also urged the people to foster tolerance, unity and sectarian harmony.

“I ask you to pledge today that you will forge unity and live like brothers and shun any discord on sectarian lines,” said the president as people raised their hands to pledge unity and brotherhood.

He said that the government was working to set up a network of roads and open up more links with the rest of the country, adding that it was also endeavouring to build road and rail links with China and Central Asian states to boost trade and tourism.

The government, he said, was also working to link the country with the Middle East.

Apart from building the Skarud-Deosai, Shandur-Chitral, Chilas-Babusar-Kaghan roads, the president said, the Karakoram Highway was also being upgraded to end the region’s isolation.

He said that the region would get cellular phone facility in a couple of months and modern aircraft would fly on the Gilgit-Islamabad route. The national carrier’s fleet of outdated Fokker planes would be grounded.

Referring to the power shortage in the area, the president said that work on the Bashu hydel project in Baltistan would be taken up soon, besides the Rs6bn 83MW Phander hydel project in Ghizer district to meet the local electricity needs.

The president also announceda plan to set up a 200-bed hospital in Gilgit and a Rs50 million grant for the KIU.

Due to the strict precautionary measures, security personnel sent back thousands of people who were trying to go to the venue of the public meeting.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/07/06/top3.htm

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HYDERABAD - July 5, 2006: Work in progress on the Right Bank Outfall Drain (RBOD) here on Wednesday.

DADU, July 5: The ground breaking ceremony of the Right Bank Outfall Drain project was formally performed near Kotri in Jamshoro district on Wednesday by Brigadier Falk Sher of the Frontier Works Organisation belonging to HQ-494 Engineering Corps, Karachi.

The ceremony was held at RD-08 of RBOD in reach-II, package No. 8 in RBOD division-II Jamshoro, about 32 kilometres off Kotri.

The Superintending Engineer of RBOD, Altaf Hussain Soomro, executive engineer RBOD division-II, Ishtiaque Hussain Memon, Lt Col Mirza Rasool Bux Baig of HQ-494 engineering corps and other irrigation and military officials were present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Brigadier Falak Sher said that the RBOD project would help save 4.32 million acres of land from water logging and salinity hazards.

He said that initially the designed discharge of RBOD was 2271 cusecs, which would be 3525 cusecs in stage-II, and the width of drain was increased from 31-feet to 61-feet.

He said that approved cost of PC-I was Rs14 billion which has been revised to Rs29.274 billion.

He said that increase in cost was mainly due to increase in number of structures, scope of flood protection works, unforeseen expenses and increase of bed width of drain.

He said that the length of RBOD from Sehwan to sea at Gharo is about 273 kilometres, which was divided in three reaches consisting of 32 packages, out of which 28 packages were awarded to civil contractors.

He said that the pace of work was very slow and some packages have been abandoned by the contractors due to different reasons.

He said that progress of acquiring land for the project was about 70 per cent. This was the main cause of delay in completion of project and work could only be completed by 30 to 35 per cent.

He said that under the special directives of President Musharraf, all structural works and remaining packages of drain would be carried out by FWO.

He said that task force was mobilized on the site under the supervision of Lt Col Mirza Rasool Bux Baig. He said that the initial work has been started. He said that the project would be completed by June 30, 2009.

He said that this project was started in 2001 through the irrigation department but could not be completed till 2005, hence FWO has taken over the remaining works.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/07/06/local17.htm

QUETTA July 6 (APP): District government Dera Bugti is considering to establish an industrial estate at Sohriabad near Sui town which will considerably bring an end to unemployment in the area, District Coordination Officer Abdul Samad Lasi.

Talking to APP on Thursday he said the proposed estate will comprise over 100 factories including cotton, cement and rice and will be established with financial assistance of the provincial and federal governments. The project will ensure job to every individual in the district. He said the government has already restored electricity supply in the district at a cost of Rs. 16 million. While resettlement of the expelled tribesmen continues with full pace and they will soon stand on their own feet. Referring to law and order situation in the area, the DCO described it under complete control adding that the life has returned to normalcy. To a question regarding whereabouts of Nawab Akbar Bugti, he said the Nawab along with his grandson Brahamdegh and miscreants has shifted to some unknown place from the caves of Siah Koh, a mountain located between Dera Bugti and Kohlu districts following the latest action of law enforcement agencies against Ferrari Camps in the district.

The officials of LEAs are pursuing the Nawab and he will soon be brought to justice for his brutalities against his own tribesmen, he said.

http://app.com.pk/n48.htm

GILGIT, July 6 (APP): The Deputy Chief Executive Northern Areas Legislative Council (NALC), Mir Ghazanfar Ali Khan here on Thursday presented development oriented Rs.4025.00 million budget including foreign aid component of Rs.400 million for the financial year 2006-07 of Northern Areas at a special budget session which was 25 percent higher than last year.

Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas, Major (Retd)

Tahir Iqbal who is also Chief Executive of Northern Areas also attended the special budget session.

While presenting the budget, Mir Ghazanfar Ali Khan told the House that the amount would be spent on 854 development schemes including 600 ongoing projects.

He said that in development sectors including Water and Power, Communication, Education, Health, Population Welfare, Planning and Development and Works would be given priority.

Mir Ghazanfar Ali Khan said that for the completion of electricity generation projects Rs.992.055 million have been earmarked in the budget for the financial year 2006-07.

Similarly, he said for Communication Rs.811.803, Education Rs.564.601 million, Planning, Development and Works Rs.775.384 million, Health Rs.335.577 million have been allocated in the budget respectively.

Apart from these allocations millions of rupees have also been allocated for other people welfare projects in the area.

Addressing the budget session, Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas and Chief Executive Northern Areas, Maj ® Tahir Iqbal said that the present government, specially President General Pervez Musharraf is taking keen interest in the socio-economic development of Northern Areas and that was why the annual development budget has been increased from Rs.400 million to over Rs.4 billion.

He said that if the entire development budget is judiciously utilized on the development of the Northern Area, the areas could be brought at par with other developed parts of the country.

Maj ® Tahir Iqbal said that the development package announced by President Musharraf during his recent visit to Gilgit while addressing a grand public meeting would bring progress and prosperity in the area and the living condition of the common man would be improved.

The session of NALC would start debate on the budget 2006-07 from Monday.

http://app.com.pk/n18.htm

ISLAMABAD: The Economic Affairs Division (EAD), Ministry of Economic Affairs and Statistics, has approved a joint initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and government of Balochistan.

On behalf of UNDP Pakistan, Country Director Haoliang Xu signed the document ‘Area Development Programme Balochistan, Phase II’.

After tremendous success in the first phase, which benefited 130,000 people in nine districts of Balochistan, the UNDP and the government have decided to expand this project as a second phase.

Through this initiative, UNDP in collaboration with the Balochistan government and World Food Programme (WFP) aims to target poverty alleviation through a variety of activities. The focus areas include community mobilization and capacity building, local capital generation, improvements in agricultural and livestock productivity, creating income generation activities and improving access to markets and services.

In addition, facilitation for access to social sector services will be provided and women’s role in development will be strengthened.

Haoliang Xu said he was encouraged by the first phase of the project, and added: “the success of Phase I is a great achievement of the government and UNDP. We are confident that in the second phase we will attain greater triumph and help even more lives break the chains of poverty.”

The Phase I of this project succeeded in development of 492 community organisations with memberships adding up to 8,369 individuals, covering 12,701 households. Furthermore, these communities saved Rs3.58 million, constructing 26 drinking and recharge water ponds and rehabilitated 26 “karazes”.

Realizing the problems of water shortages in the area, 10 diversion dams and valley dikes of 1.12 million cubic feet were also set up to harvest rainwater. Hence, a total of 1,744 acres of rangeland was rehabilitated.

This project also focused on building capacity, training 8,726 people in various skills including natural resource management, livestock production and other income generation activities.

The Phase II of the project will provide similar support to a larger community in the area. It will have a life of four years with a total budget amounting to $14,329,800. Owing to the success of the previous phase, the government of Balochistan has committed $4.27 million, along with funding by UNDP of $2.6 million, WFP of $700,000 and the communities’ share (cash/kind) of $1 million. The financing gap of $5,929,800 will be mobilized from other donors.

http://thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=14530

QUETTA July 6 (APP): District government Dera Bugti is considering to establish an industrial estate at Sohriabad near Sui town which will considerably bring an end to unemployment in the area, District Coordination Officer Abdul Samad Lasi.

Talking to APP on Thursday he said the proposed estate will comprise over 100 factories including cotton, cement and rice and will be established with financial assistance of the provincial and federal governments. The project will ensure job to every individual in the district. He said the government has already restored electricity supply in the district at a cost of Rs. 16 million. While resettlement of the expelled tribesmen continues with full pace and they will soon stand on their own feet. Referring to law and order situation in the area, the DCO described it under complete control adding that the life has returned to normalcy. To a question regarding whereabouts of Nawab Akbar Bugti, he said the Nawab along with his grandson Brahamdegh and miscreants has shifted to some unknown place from the caves of Siah Koh, a mountain located between Dera Bugti and Kohlu districts following the latest action of law enforcement agencies against Ferrari Camps in the district.

The officials of LEAs are pursuing the Nawab and he will soon be brought to justice for his brutalities against his own tribesmen, he said.

http://app.com.pk/n48.htm


setting up an industrial estate will be good move. Government should go ahead, though depends what kind of industry can be setup!

Work on M-3 industrial city to start in Sept



Associated Press of Pakistan

FAISALABAD: The groundbreaking ceremony of the M-3 industrial city will be held in September, said Faisalabad Industrial Estate Development and Management Company Chairman Mian Muhammad Latif.

Talking to reporters here on Thursday, he said the progressive vision of President Musharraf and Punjab Chief Minister Punjab Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has helped to turn Faisalabad into a land of opportunities by launching ambitious projects including the Value Addition City (VAC) and M-3 Industrial City.

The Punjab government has established the Faisalabad Industrial Estate Development and Management Company (FIEDMC) by inducting the private sector to plan, implement and manage projects and to gear up the process of industrialization in the wake of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) regime.

There are 16 private sector directors on the FIEDMC board, while five will represent the provincial and district governments, he said, adding the main power will remain with the private sector to tailor these projects according to the needs of the new investors. The first project of the Value Addition City is almost complete and has been developed over 181 acres of land near the industrial belt of Khurrianwala, with modern concept of linear buildings and all infrastructural facilities to meet the requirements of the WTO, he said.

The M-3 Industrial City, to be developed over 4,371 acres along the motorway from Sahianwala up to Millat Road, he said, adding it will also have water treatment plants and state-of-the-art facilities to fulfil the environmental and social compliances of WTO.

The industrial city will accommodate new industries and will encourage the shifting of existing industrial units operating in congested commercial and residential areas of Faisalabad, he said.

Mr Latif said the two road construction contracts involving Rs 1.1 billion have already been awarded to two firms, one of which has started the groundwork while the other will commence work within the next couple of weeks. These projects will not only gear up the pace of industrialisation in the province, they will also help create job opportunities in millions for the unemployed youth, he added.

100 units at SIE to start by year-end



Associated Press of Pakistan

LAHORE: Around 100 industrial units will start operations at the Sundar Industrial Estate by the end of 2006 as major infrastructure requirements are in place, said Punjab Industrial Estate Development and Management Company (PIEDMC) Chairman Mohsin Syed.

Talking to reporters, PIEDMC chairman said all the 657 plots at the Sundar Industrial Estate have already been sold out and another 250 industrial units will go into operation by the end of 2007. He was accompanied by PIEDMC Board of Directors Member Syed Mansoor Abbas.

"Three industrial units have started trial production in the areas of textile, plastic injection moulding and engineering," he said, adding five more manufacturing plants will start trial production by the end of July. He said 80 percent of the occupants have made full payment and they are bound to erect their units within 24 months from the occupation of the plots.

The Punjab Chief Minister is due to launch the first phase of Multan Industrial Estate on July 12 where some 60 industrial units have started production, he said.

"Designing for the second phase of the Multan Industrial Estate has been completed and an area of 667 acres of land will be developed for 356 industrial units," he said.

"The SMEs will be the prime focus in the second phase to spearhead the industrial development of South Punjab," he said. Referring to the supply of electricity and gas supply to the Sundar Industrial Estate, he said the Lahore Electricity Supply Corporation (LSECO) has supplied five megawatts of electricity for the area and it will supply another five megawatts by the end of July.

The total electricity requirement of the estate was 150 megawatts and LESCO will provide 40 megawatts and the rest will be generated by the estate through its own power plant, he said. Similarly, he said, Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited will be supplying Sui gas to four industrial units by the end of July. The PIEDMC has started two separate courses to ensure skilled manpower for the industrial units at the SIE, which will include higher national diploma in five technologies and a short course for training of 100,000 labourers in different disciplines, he concluded.

Giga Pakistan to invest over $ 10 mln in housing , commercial projects

KARACHI, July 7 (APP)- Al-Ghurair Giga Pakistan will invest more than 10 million dollars in various housing and commercial projects including supermarket chain and a five star hotel in Pakistan in near future.

This was stated by the vice chairman of the group Haji Muhammad, Rafiq Giga while talking to newsmen after the inauguration of international property conference IPEC 2006 at Karachi Expo Centre here Friday.

He said that work on a large residential project in Islamabad has started while the work on supermarket will begin in September this year. Another mega housing project will be announced for Karachi in next couple of months.

Rafiq Giga said that several memorandum of understanding (MoUs) have been signed with local partners for the start of housing schemes in various cities of Pakistan.

He said that Al-Ghurair Giga Pakistan, a joint venture between UAE and Pakistan, will start a supermarket chain in Pakistan. First outlet will be launched in Islamabad followed by other outlets in Karachi and other major cities of Pakistan.

“I will not give the name of this supermarket, but it will be a leading supermarket in the world”, he said and added that work will begin in September.

He said his group will also build a five star hotel in Pakistan.

very good....a 5* hotel...we need these....
a wolrdwide known supermarket very nice will be good for pakistani ppl...

The China Road and Bridge Corp., a state-owned construction firm, has singed a memo with the Pakistani highway administration to initiate the renovation project of the Karakoram Highway.

Sources with the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) said Saturday that the memo, signed on June 30, paves the way for practical operation of the project.

According to the memo, the China Road and Bridge Corp. will be in charge of the design and reconstruction of the highway as the general contractor. At the first stage, the 335-kilometer road between the Raikot bridge to the Khunjerab mountain pass will be rebuilt and upgraded.

The two sides agreed to complete the drawing of the blue print, listing the work items and signing commercial contracts by the end of October, and try to start working by the end of the year.

The Karakoram Highway is the only overland connection between China and Pakistan at present. The 809-kilometer highway, whose location is 600 to 4,700 meters above sea level, was built in 1978 for special geopolitical reasons. It is largely broken due to lack of maintenance and the earthquake in late 2005.

During Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf's visit to China in February, the two sides reached an agreement in principle to upgrade the Karakoram Highway.

According to the SASAC sources, width of the highway will be expanded from 10 meters to 30 meters, and its transport capacity will be enhanced three times. Heavy-laden vehicles will be able to run on the road after the upgradation.

http://english.people.com.cn/200607/08/eng20060708_281303.html

^^^ thankyou sikandar for sharing.

30 meters mean nearly 98 feet wide road, certainly will prove to be a plus in Pak China cooperation.

http://www.dawn.com.pk/2006/07/12/SlideShow/pic04.jpg

LOWARI - July 11, 2006: Work in progress on the Lowari Tunnel near here.—Online

CDA ready to give alternative plots to inmates of G-6 govt quarters

http://www.realtalk.us/my_category.asp?main_cats_id=8&sub_cats_id=2

Trade policy still envisages $10b gap

* Trade Development Authority of Pakistan set up
* Import of used machinery allowed
* Govt to set up ‘carpet cities’, export zones

By Sajid Chaudhry

ISLAMABAD: The government has announced its trade policy for fiscal year (FY) 2006-07 on Monday. Its main features are the setting up of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) to enhance exports, and permission to local industry to import used machinery and equipment.

The trade policy sets an export target of $18.6 billion for FY 2006-07, 13% higher than Pakistan’s export performance in FY 2005-06. Projected imports for FY 2006-07 are estimated at $28 billion, with an estimated trade deficit of $9.4 billion.

The federal cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, approved the policy earlier in the day. Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar Khan gave details in his trade policy speech.

Export measures: The TDAP will be established and replace the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) in six to 12 months. The cabinet has approved a draft TDAP Act.

The government plans to set up “carpet cities” in Lahore and Karachi. An export processing zone called ‘Dazzle Park’ will be set up over 16 acres near Karachi airport to promote the export of gems and jewellery.

Expo centres will be set up in Islamabad, Quetta and Peshawar, with the latter two particularly to promote exports to Iran, Afghanistan and Central Asia.

The export subsidy scheme is being modified so exporters of all items, except those which are notified separately, will be eligible for a 25 % freight subsidy, provided they are exporting to Africa, Pacific Islands or Eastern European countries that are not in the EU or Central Asia. Exported products in the developmental category will be entitled to a 25% freight subsidy even if they are going to one of the top 20 export destinations. Any individual exporter, firm or company will not be entitled to freight subsidy in excess of Rs 5 million a year.

The Textile Skill Development Board will train workers producing terry towels and bed linen. The textile sector will continue to get a research and development support rebate until the end of June 2007 at the rate of 6%, and at 3% until end June 2008. The rebate will also be extended to the footwear sector.

The government will give 50% subsidy for the cost of obtaining four additional kinds of certifications: ISO-22000, Eco-labeling, Conformity Europea, and Organic Food Product certificate.

Ministry of Commerce sanction will not be required for temporary export or import of goods sent abroad for exhibitions, repairs, testing and other business process requirements.

Exhibitions showcasing Pakistani products will be organised in countries that are good potential markets during official visits by the president and prime minister.

The government will establish a specialised SME Export House as a corporate entity in a public-private partnership and run by professional management.

The possibility of a “warehouse city” in Karachi rub by a corporate entity in a public-private partnership and run by professional management will be explored. The government plans a specialised coal, clinker and cement terminal at Port Qasim to facilitate the export of 10 million tonnes of surplus cement.

Halal meat export zones will be set up in Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta to encourage meat exports. Similarly, specialised poultry export zones will be set up in Karachi, Faisalabad and Hazara.

The first 6 percent of interest on credit obtained by export-oriented companies to set up cool chains and cold storages will be paid by the Export Development Fund (EDF).

Long term financing for export-oriented projects has been modified, so banks will be entitled to a maximum spread of 2% instead of 3%, thereby reducing the cost of borrowing by 1%.

Import measures: The government has allowed the import of used machinery and parts for the construction, mining and petroleum sectors provided it is not older than 10 years.

Used cargo handling equipment for airports, seaports, land border stations or inland container depots; used electroplating, electrolysis and electrophoresis equipment; used mobile cranes; used spare parts for industrial units where production of new spare parts is no longer taking place; used equipment needed by call centres; used waste disposal trucks and fire engines for municipal bodies; used mobile clinics and medical equipment; used security and surveillance equipment; and used refrigeration lorries can also be imported.

The policy will be reviewed next year.

By our correspondent

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz was informed that deepwater terminals are being built at Kemari and Port Qasim with more berths in collaboration with private sector. The prime minister was attending a meeting of the Task Force on Development of National Trade Corridor (NTC) here Wednesday.

He was informed that substantial progress has been made in trade facilitation by reducing the port dwell time and charges. Customs clearance has been reduced to an average of 5.57 hours at KICT from earlier average of 4.1 days. Whereas, for imports, the customs clearance time has been reduced to an average of 7.24 hours, the exports goods are cleared within an average time of 0.50 hours at KICT in Karachi.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said as a result of major initiatives taken by the government to develop the NTC, the logistics chain has started to show improvement, which will reduce cost of business and increase competitiveness and productivity of goods produced in the country.

He reviewed the implementation status of decisions earlier taken, particularly progress on matters related to trade facilitation, modernisation of railways, ports and shipping, motorways, trucking and aviation and air transportation sectors.

The premier said substantial progress has been made on redesigning of procedures and processes, strengthening of infrastructure -- roads, railways, airports and ports, which will facilitate trade and investment and contribute to achieving the export target of $18.6 billion. The benefits of faster and efficient movement of goods across the country will go directly to consumers, he said, and added, "While we expand our logistics chain, it is important that the existing infrastructure is meticulously maintained to ensure a seamless and fast movement of goods."

The prime minister said that situated at the confluence of three important regions — South Asia, Western Asia and Central Asia -- Pakistan enjoys a unique and strategic position to interlink these regions.

He said because of its geo-strategic location, Pakistan is in a position to play a vital role in promoting regional trade and to achieve this objective we are building trade, energy and transportation corridors. In addition to this, he said Pakistan provides the pre-requisites to become the regional hub of manufacturing and trade. The national trade corridor plan, the prime minister said, will be instrumental in building of these corridors as well as in making Pakistan a regional hub of manufacturing and trade.

Reviewing the Pakistan Railways performance, the prime minister said the Pakistan Railways is being converted into a corporation. He appreciated that railways is leveraging its land and other assets for optimal use.

The prime minister was informed that railway freight revenues have increased and the first version of its business plan is ready. He was told that for the improvement of highways significant progress has been made.

The construction of Torkhum-Peshwar Road, Peshawar Northern Bypass, M-4, Faisalabad-Khanewal Road, E-5, Sukkur-Shikarpur Road E-6, Shikarpur-Ratodero Road, M-7 Dadu-Dureji-Hub, Pindi Bhattian-Wazirabad Road and Hasanabdal-Mansehra Road will be initiated in 2007. The M-1 (Lahore-Peshawar) will be completed in 2007 and Karakoram Highway is being improved with the help of China.

The defence secretary, in his presentation, said that progress has been made on planning of two new airports in Islamabad and Gwadar and expansion of Multan airport. Construction of Islamabad airport will begin by the end of the year. The national aviation policy has been prepared and is under discussion with stakeholders.

The prime minister expressed satisfaction over the progress made so far. He asked all concerned departments to continue the pace of progress and ensure timely complementation of all projects.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=2066

http://www.dawn.com/2006/07/21/SlideShow/pic07.jpg

SUKKUR July 20: District Nazim Nasir Hussain Shah has said that the district government is working on a plan to make Sukkur “a city of lights.

He said the district government was spending about Rs40 million on preservation, restoration and beautification of historical places and restoring them to their original grandeur.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the installation of searchlights by the Karachi Electronic Market in connection with the beautification and illumination of the city, the nazim said that lights for beautification of the Sukkur barrage had also been installed by the district government from its own resources to restore the old grandeur of the city.

The nazim observed that a scheme had been launched to install filter plants at the union council level as per water vision of the president to provide pure drinking water to the people even in the remote areas of the district.

He said that at the primary level 18 spots had been selected for installing sodium lights in Sukkur city and that the same scheme would be extended at the district level.

The nazim lauded the efforts of Taluka Nazim Naeem Siddiqui and the president of the Electronic Market Karachi, Abdul Waheed Memon, for the services rendered by them for beautification and development of the city.


http://www.dawn.com/2006/07/21/nat48.htm

HYDERABAD, July 20: Adviser to Sindh Chief Minister for Local Bodies Wasim Akhtar on Thursday said that a notification about formation of the Hyderabad city district government would be issued soon as the summary was lying with the chief minister.

He rejected fears of nationalists and political parties about the city government because it was purely an administrative matter.

Speaking to a group of journalists at the district nazim secretariat after addressing UC nazims and naib nazims, he invited those opposing the city government that if they have valuable suggestions to share.

He said that like the creation of new districts, the formation of city district government in Hyderabad was an administrative issue because the district qualifies to have a city government in the light of Sindh Local Government Ordinance.

He said that the creation of new districts was opposed by nationalists and other political parties but today people were deriving maximum benefit and getting relief.

“It is a non-issue by opponents because we are talking about provincial autonomy and one day we will tell you that Sindh has been given full autonomy”, he said.

He said that the MQM wanted to get development packages for remaining 21 districts of Sindh and Sukkur, Mirpurkhas and Nawabshah districts were on top of the list.

He said that Karachi was given package after a long time by the president and for that reason the MQM was trying to take packages for other districts.

He said that those major organisations which were working in Karachi were contributing towards the package.

He said that there was world of difference between city district governments of Karachi and Hyderabad because departments were closely inter-linked in the former where more city governments could not be formed.

“There is no political gain involved in it because city government’s concept is derived from National Reconstruction Bureau’s devolution plan for which certain criteria has been laid down in the SLGO”, he said.

He said that “Jinnahpur” was a dead issue for which the officer concerned who was behind this bogey had apologised.

“Let us look forward for our better future. All of us who live in Hyderabad and in Sindh are Sindhis and there is no division of Sindhi or Urdu-speaking community”, he said.

He said that Altaf Hussain had talked to President Musharraf for development packages of other districts.

He said that such projects would be presented by way of a summary adding that details of priority works in districts of Sukkur, Mirpurkhas and Nawabshah had been received.

He said that the Asian Development Bank had given $60 million for upgradation of 700 villages in Badin, Mirpurkhas, Jacobabad and Dadu where drains, electricity, sewerage and road infrastructure would be upgraded.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/07/21/local25.htm

http://www.dawn.com/2006/07/22/SlideShow/pic20.jpg

ISLAMABAD - July 21, 2006: An aerial view of the 5,000-year-old Panjghara temple in the salt range of Chakwal.—Online

http://www.dawn.com/2006/07/22/SlideShow/pic20.jpg

ISLAMABAD - July 21, 2006: An aerial view of the 5,000-year-old Panjghara temple in the salt range of Chakwal.—Online

Its a shame that this site has been neglected for so many years. I hope the restoration work continues so that we can admire a new land mark in Pakistan.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/07/23/SlideShow/pic02.jpg

ISLAMABAD: A file photo of Nanga Parbat, the ‘killer mountain’ in the western Himalayan region in Northern Areas where the Venezuelan mountaineer Jose Antonio Delgado died.

KARACHI, July 23: The federal government has approved Rs35 million project for promotion of cultural tourism and rehabilitation of Moenjodaro, which represents the 5000-year-old Indus Valley Civilization, it is learnt reliably.

According to the sources, the federal archeology and museums department would implement the project in three years from 2007 to 2010. Under the project, the conservation will be carried out by isolation of the structure from migrating salts in solution, consolidation of those parts which had decayed and desalinisation of the standing structures.

The sources said that under the isolation work horizontal and vertical damp proofing of the walls would be carried out and the salt laden earth from within the remains would be replaced with a thick layer of river sand and a layer of sweet earth. Salt saturated archeological spoils lying in the shape of dumps around the excavated remains since first excavation done in 1922 would be removed to the natural ground level.

They said that under the consolidation work underpinning of very decayed undermined ancient brick work would be carried out, overhanging walls would be strengthened, thermal isolation of the leaning walls would be prepared and hydraulic jack system would be designed to bring the leaning walls back to the original vertical position.

Mud plaster would be used to draw out the salts saturated on the surface of isolated walls. Besides, salt eating plants would be planted in open areas to reduce the ground salts.

Efficient and effective drainage system would be developed by giving due slope to the floors of rooms so that rain water flows out of the ruins. The streets and lanes of the excavated remains would be cemented.

For the promotion of cultural tourism, guides would be trained so that they could conduct guided tours. Moreover, replicas of the important excavated objects would be put on display to make the excavated areas legible for common visitors.

A shopping arcade, designed on the pattern of the main market place of the ancient city, would be established and training centres for pottery, toys, copper work, embroidery and handloom textiles would be set up so that the community members or others interested in such arts could learn and sharpen their skills.

Existing tourist rest house would be upgraded and a new building for museum – having an auditorium, book shop, souvenir shops, cultural centre, handicraft workshop, crafts designing centre, cultural centre and cafeteria would be designed.

The sources said that the project would help in restoring the country’s most precious cultural site, which is also on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List. This would attract local as well as international tourists opening up opportunities for expansion and promotion of cultural activities and local art craft providing additional job opportunities for local community.

The sources said that earlier the preservation and rehabilitation work of the Moenjodaro was carried out by the Authority for Preservation of Moenjodaro. Following the completion of the Moenjodaro International Safeguarding Campaign, the APM was abolished by the federal government in 1997.

From 1974 to 1997, the Authority carried out the preservation work at a cost of over US$23.5 million, including Pakistani component of US$14.1 million and international community input of US$9.4 million, owing to which the threat of flooding of the ancient city site by the Indus River was eliminated.

But the threat from salt, thermal and drainage problems continued to damage the ancient structures that with the present project are expected to be saved, rehabilitated and restored.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/07/24/local2.htm

26.07.06

By Khalid Mustafa

ISLAMABAD: Following the failure of the incumbent regime in exploiting the largest coalfield of Pakistan, Thar, which is a resource potential of about 175 billion tonnes, the government is all set to devise a new strategy within days to initiate this mega project, a senior government official told The News.

Under the proposed strategy the government will first explore coal reserves and then various companies will be offered to install power plants.

Currently, companies are being asked to first extract coal and then generate electricity, as there is a huge risk involved as to how much and what quality of coal will be discovered.

“This was the main reason that only one Chinese company — Shenhua Group of China — turned up and no other from any country showed any interest.

The Shenhua Group of China was later on offered a tariff of 5.7 cents per unit for initiating development of 600 MW Thar coal power project to initiate the project as demanded by the company but it had refused saying that required offer was made very late and the company had no time to initiate this project as it was involved in many projects of other countries.

Keeping in view such risk the companies are seeking maximum tariff of electricity to be sold out to NTDC (National Transmission Dispatch Company) “This is the main reason for which the Thar coal project has not been exploited so far,” the official said.

“We will procure the coal first through exploration with the help of international companies well known in the mining sector and then will ask the various companies to come and install the coal based power plants,” the top official told The News.

“We will first offer the coal is explored in the Thar region and then negotiate electricity tariff with the interested parties to install power plants in the region, he said.”

The official said that to approve the new strategy a high level meeting to be chaired by President General Pervez Musharraf will be held soon in which the stakeholders and representative of the Sindh government will participate.

He said the minimum investment for mining in the Thar coal region would hover around $500 million, which will be later maximised to $2 billion.

Responding to a question, he said that with the investment of $2 billion in mining of Thar coal about 20,000 MW electricity would be generated.

He held the government’s wrong strategy for delay in initiation of the project.

Coal is one of the major energy sources, which is contributing in world’s energy systems with the share of 23.80 per cent and 23.75 per cent of production and consumption respectively.

Pakistan has great potential in the shape of 175 billion tones coal reservoirs standing 18th in the world but the share of coal in energy supplies for Pakistan is nominal.

news.com.pk

^^
This project is very important for PAkistan considering our future energy needs. Sindh government is making hue & cry to get the royalty of this project & created hurdles. I hope sindh government understand the importance.

HYDERABAD, Aug 3: DCO Mohammad Hussain Syed has said that 18 development schemes under the Hyderabad Development Package have been taken in hand which will be completed in one year.

He was speaking at a meeting at the Shahbaz Hall here on Thursday.

The meeting reviewed progress of development schemes being carried out at a cost of Rs3026.243 million.

He said that an amount of Rs695.419 million had been released in the 2005-06 year for implementation of development schemes which was utilised in the same year.

He said that the district government was giving a top priority to water supply and drainage schemes.

As a result, seven water supply schemes were completed in a short period and standby generators were purchased for 12 pumping stations to ensure regular water supply and drain out sewerage.

He called upon officials concerned and consultant to ensure completion of filter plants at Hala Naka and Paretabad and the construction of storage ponds during the current financial year.

He said that the laying of water pipelines and other water works should also be completed within the current financial year.

He said that it was necessary to carry out soil testing before laying sewerage lines. He stressed the need for coordination between all departments concerned for the completion of all development schemes in time.

He directed all the contractors working on the development schemes under the Hyderabad Development Package to ensure the availability of machinery and manpower at sites to avoid delay.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/08/04/nat34.htm

Its a shame that this site has been neglected for so many years. I hope the restoration work continues so that we can admire a new land mark in Pakistan.
Katas as this place is called is right next to my village. Its been hidden from the eyes of most Pakistanis for years.. But it is really a very historical and interesting site. Its deteriorating quicky though and needs rehabilitation.
Some Hindu pilgrims do come every year though from India and other places.

KARACHI, Aug 4: The Sindh government has allocated Rs600 million for the development of industrial infrastructure in the province during the fiscal year 2006-07, indicating a huge increase of 66 per cent from last year’s allocation of Rs361 million.

Major projects to be implemented include Rs50 million water supply line from Keenjhar Lake to Nooriabad industrial estate; extension of small industrial estate in Hyderabad (Rs65.3 million ); small industrial estate in Mithi, district Tharparker; Sindh Handicraft Display Centre in Islamabad (Rs31 million); small industrial estate in Karachi (Rs30 million); small industrial estate in Ghakar Phatak, Malir (Rs30 million); and development of infrastructure in four industrial estates -- Nooriabad, Kotri, Hyderabad and Sukkur.

The government will also spend Rs690 million on the development of manpower and employment sector. The projects include opening of technical training centres in Sukkur and Hyderabad, and a special centre in Mithi for training of skills required for coal mining in Thar.

The projects also envisaged construction of a building for employment exchange in Sindh and a survey to assess the efficiency of existing technical training centres and viability of the existing technical trades and new trades in job market.

The scheme for manpower development includes setting up of vocational training centres for boys and girls at the Northern Bypass small industrial estate in Karachi and construction of buildings and provision of latest equipment for the existing seven youth vocational centres in the province.

Murli Manohar Gangaramani, additional secretary industries, Sindh, told Dawn on Friday that the allocation had been increased to facilitate the private sector to set up industries. He said a network of industrial estates had been laid throughout the province with a view to accelerating the process of industrialisation.

He said the government had ensured equal distribution of funds for industrial development in urban and rural areas. In reply to a query, he said 90 per cent of the funds earmarked for industrial development in the province during the last fiscal year had been fully utilised.

Mr Murli said the government had completely liberalised the industrial sector and now no NOC was required for setting up of new industries.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/08/05/ebr9.htm

LAHORE: M/s Shalimar Construction Company and M/s Guarantee Engineers have won the contracts for the construction of....

Click here to read more... (http://realtalk.us/my_category.asp?main_cats_id=9&sub_cats_id=8)

:cheers:

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- U.S. officials have issued urgent terror alerts to U.S. citizens in India and those planning to travel to Pakistan.

The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India, is warning of possible terrorist attacks across the country in the next week, while the U.S. State Department is urging travelers to defer planned trips to Pakistan.

"We have learned foreign terrorists and possible members of al Qaeda allegedly plan to carry out terrorist attacks targeting major public facilities, such as gathering places and airports," said David Kennedy, spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India.

The warning comes just days before India's Independence Day and a month after a string of deadly bomb blasts ripped through Mumbai's commuter train system, killing more than 180 people.

India celebrates its Independence Day on August 15, typically a time of heightened security for the nation.

Cities the U.S. Embassy identified as potential targets are New Delhi and Mumbai, Kennedy said.

"We encouraged U.S. citizens to create a low profile," he said.

The warning concerning Pakistan -- originally issued in April -- was reissued amid rising concerns that terrorists may target U.S. interests after authorities in Pakistan and Britain arrested 24 people in connection with an alleged terrorist plot.

Seven arrests in Pakistan last week led to the arrests in Britain on Thursday, a senior Pakistani intelligence source confirmed Friday.

The State Department says al Qaeda and Taliban cells remain active in Pakistan, particularly along the Pakistan-Afghan border.

On March 2, a U.S. Foreign Service officer was among five killed and 52 wounded when a suicide bomber detonated himself outside the U.S. Consulate in Karachi.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/08/11/asia.travel/index.html

MURREE: President General Pervez Musharraf inaugurated the natural gas supply to Murree on Monday.

“I congratulate the people of Murree on the occasion and hope that the provision of gas will bring comfort to your life,” he told a crowd of people. Lt Gen (r) Khalid Maqbool, the Punjab governor, Chaudhry Pervez Elahi, the Punjab chief minister, Amanullah Jadoon, the petroleum minister, and other ministers, members of the National Assembly (MNA), members of the Provincial Assembly (MPA), tehsil nazims and naib nazims also attended the ceremony.

President Musharraf who had laid the foundation stone of the project in July last year, lauded the Sui Northern Gas Pipeline, Limited (SNGPL), for completing the project in a short period of time. The president also announced extension of Murree gas pipeline to Galliat and eastern parts of Abbotabad.

The president hoped that availability of gas to people would help reduce deforestation and urged the people to grow more trees in the area.

He expressed commitment to the fast-pace development of the underdeveloped areas and referred to the allocation of Rs 415 billion for the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) this year.

The president said that now alone the Punjab had allocated Rs 100 billion for development projects, which in the past used to be spent on development programmes of the entire country. “We have the resource and we will spend it on the people’s welfare,” he said. The president said that the government was trying to provide gas, power and clean drinking water to the entire population by December 2007. Referring to the government plans to install water filtration plant in union councils, the president said that efforts were being made to provide clean drinking water to all villages.

President Musharraf also announced a number of development projects for Murree, adding that a road network in the area would not only be improved, but also expanded. The president directed to undertake study of construction of fly-over in Ghika Gali to ensure smooth traffic. Murree would soon have special snow clearing equipment to overcome problems of transport in the area during the snow season, he said.

President Musharraf announced that the collection of a toll plaza established at the distance of 17 kilometres would be spent on the welfare of the people. Earlier, the tehsil would get only 33 percent of the total earnings, he said.

He also ordered the setting up of a parking lot in the district coordination officers’ camp to facilitate people and also announced a technical training centre to impart necessary skill to the youth of the area.

President Musharraf said that Murree would soon have a 200-bed hospital and that funds for its construction have already been released.

The Punjab governor lauded President Musharraf for leading Pakistan on the path to development, adding that people had trust in President Musharraf’s leadership. The governor praised the president for taking ‘difficult’ decisions in the interest of Pakistan and expressed the confidence that people would elect those people who had trust in the policies of the president.

The chief minister said the president had fulfilled all promises he made to the nation and lauded his personal interest in the projects of people’s welfare.

He said that as promised by the president the construction of the 200-bed hospital would start within two months. The chief minister said that the Punjab government had allocated Rs 20 billion for the improvement of Murree, of which Rs 17 billion had already been spent. He said under the directives of the president, Rs 150 million had been released for a wildlife park in Murree and Rs 50 million had also been given for the chairlift in Patriata.

Referring to water problem in the area, he said that a pipeline would be laid from Jhelum to Murree by Siemens, a German company, which has won the tender for the Rs 2 billion project.

Earlier, the petroleum minister presented the welcome address and highlighted the gas projects to be undertaken in the near future.

http://dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\08\29\story_29-8-2006_pg11_1

ISLAMABAD: A Gas Sales Agreement for the purchase and sale of natural gas from Zarghun South Gas Field was executed here on Monday.

The agreement was signed by Munawar B Ahmad, Managing Director, Sui Southern Gas Company Ltd (SSGCL) as buyer and Lt Gen (Retd) Imtiaz Shaheen, Managing Director, Mari Gas Company Ltd (MGCL), the operator of Bolan Joint Venture (BJV) along with its partners Spud Energy (Pvt) Ltd, Government Holdings (Pvt) Ltd and PKP Exploration Ltd as sellers, says a press release.

On the occasion, it was pointed out that Zarghun South Gas Field, located 52 kms northeast of Quetta, has gas reserves of 93 bcf, discovered by BJV, incurring cost of $53 million during the exploration phase.

MGCL as operator of the field estimates a cost of $47 million on its development to produce and supply gas to SSGCL, who will construct a 64 kms, 12” pipeline from the field to Quetta transmission system, at a cost of $15 million.

The proposed pipeline would traverse through the high mountainous range of Zarghun and would enable SSGCL to bring additional volume of 20 million cubic feet of gas per day to Quetta.

To facilitate the laying of this pipeline, BJV has agreed to contribute $4 million towards the pipeline cost. The completion of the project is estimated to be accomplished in two years. Mari Gas, the owner and operator of the field at Daharki has been supplying gas to industrial sector ie fertilizer and power. The company for the first time since its inception has stepped out to this remote area of Sibi district to set up a gas production, processing and purification facilities for supply of pipeline quality gas to domestic consumers through SSGCL and will bring prosperity and augment the infrastructure for the people of Balochistan.

Managing Director MGCL, speaking on the occasion, said MGCL pursuing government’s endeavour in developing the remote areas of Balochistan, have made significant exploration commitments in the province.

It has recently made a gas discovery in Khost, as operator of the Ziarat Block along with its joint venture partner MND of Czech Republic and is operating two other blocks in the area ie Hanna and Harnai and has an appraisal and exploration plan of approximately $24 million on these blocks.

Shaheen added that the MGCL’s E&P commitments in these remote areas of Balochistan would go a long way in improving and uplifting the socio-economic conditions of rural population of the province.

Speaking at the ceremony, Managing Director SSGCL pointed out that the GSA will add new volume of gas to the Company’s network and especially benefit customers in the province of Balochistan. Ahmad highlighted the fact that the demand for natural gas is growing very rapidly, particularly in the industrial and commercial sectors.

http://thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=21717

http://www.dawn.com/2006/08/28/SlideShow/pic13.jpg


ISLAMABAD - August 27, 2006: Visitors enjoy a boat ride in Attock River near Kund.

MURREE: President General Pervez Musharraf inaugurated the natural gas supply to Murree on Monday.

“I congratulate the people of Murree on the occasion and hope that the provision of gas will bring comfort to your life,” he told a crowd of people. Lt Gen (r) Khalid Maqbool, the Punjab governor, Chaudhry Pervez Elahi, the Punjab chief minister, Amanullah Jadoon, the petroleum minister, and other ministers, members of the National Assembly (MNA), members of the Provincial Assembly (MPA), tehsil nazims and naib nazims also attended the ceremony.

President Musharraf who had laid the foundation stone of the project in July last year, lauded the Sui Northern Gas Pipeline, Limited (SNGPL), for completing the project in a short period of time. The president also announced extension of Murree gas pipeline to Galliat and eastern parts of Abbotabad.

The president hoped that availability of gas to people would help reduce deforestation and urged the people to grow more trees in the area.

He expressed commitment to the fast-pace development of the underdeveloped areas and referred to the allocation of Rs 415 billion for the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) this year.

The president said that now alone the Punjab had allocated Rs 100 billion for development projects, which in the past used to be spent on development programmes of the entire country. “We have the resource and we will spend it on the people’s welfare,” he said. The president said that the government was trying to provide gas, power and clean drinking water to the entire population by December 2007. Referring to the government plans to install water filtration plant in union councils, the president said that efforts were being made to provide clean drinking water to all villages.

President Musharraf also announced a number of development projects for Murree, adding that a road network in the area would not only be improved, but also expanded. The president directed to undertake study of construction of fly-over in Ghika Gali to ensure smooth traffic. Murree would soon have special snow clearing equipment to overcome problems of transport in the area during the snow season, he said.

President Musharraf announced that the collection of a toll plaza established at the distance of 17 kilometres would be spent on the welfare of the people. Earlier, the tehsil would get only 33 percent of the total earnings, he said.

He also ordered the setting up of a parking lot in the district coordination officers’ camp to facilitate people and also announced a technical training centre to impart necessary skill to the youth of the area.

President Musharraf said that Murree would soon have a 200-bed hospital and that funds for its construction have already been released.

The Punjab governor lauded President Musharraf for leading Pakistan on the path to development, adding that people had trust in President Musharraf’s leadership. The governor praised the president for taking ‘difficult’ decisions in the interest of Pakistan and expressed the confidence that people would elect those people who had trust in the policies of the president.

The chief minister said the president had fulfilled all promises he made to the nation and lauded his personal interest in the projects of people’s welfare.

He said that as promised by the president the construction of the 200-bed hospital would start within two months. The chief minister said that the Punjab government had allocated Rs 20 billion for the improvement of Murree, of which Rs 17 billion had already been spent. He said under the directives of the president, Rs 150 million had been released for a wildlife park in Murree and Rs 50 million had also been given for the chairlift in Patriata.

Referring to water problem in the area, he said that a pipeline would be laid from Jhelum to Murree by Siemens, a German company, which has won the tender for the Rs 2 billion project.

Earlier, the petroleum minister presented the welcome address and highlighted the gas projects to be undertaken in the near future.

http://dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\08\29\story_29-8-2006_pg11_1

This is great news, i used to have naukers (servants) from murree and abbotabad, they'll get gas, thats great.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/09/02/SlideShow/pic23.jpg

ISLAMABAD - September 01, 2006: Two cyclists ride through a scenic track in Kaghan during the Karakuram International Mountain Bike Race organised by Kaghan Memorial Trust. 27 International cyclists from 10 countries are taking part in the race.

^^^ thats a nice pic- but wouldnt you agree with me that it has nothing whatsoever to do with "Pakistan: General news and Updates".

You could have posted it somewhere in Gupshup( that is if u really wanted to post this).

$1.2bn container terminal to be ready by 2012


By Parvaiz Ishfaq Rana

KARACHI, Sept 4: Pakistan will emerge as the first country on the world map of ports to have a deep-water container terminal with a draft of 18 metre. It will be capable of receiving and handling super post-Panamax container vessels with a loading capacity of over 14,000 boxes.

The container terminal with an estimated cost of $1.2 billion is being built at east of Keamari Groyne and is going to be operational within next three years wherein four berths out of total ten berths will be completed under phase-1.

The futuristic container port will not only bring in economic benefit to the country in the form of lower freight charges but will also entirely change the complex of shipping trade in the region.

In order to meet the economies of scale major shipping lines would prefer to avail the ultra-modern facility and use it as a hub for transhipment purposes.Above all, the rapidly growing economies of Asia and ever-increasing volume of containerised cargo of the region prove a boon for shipping companies and port operators, who are equally faced with rising costs of operation.

Even today shipping lines are confronted with rising cost and on an average a ship having loading capacity between 2,000 to 8,000 Teus incur a fix and permanent cost of around $50,000 per day.

Shipping companies are frequently changing their vessels to bigger-size vessels, which could accommodate large volumes of containers for haulage and also ensure freight competitiveness.

Presently large size vessels operating in the world have the capacity to carry around 5,000 to 8,000 Teus but only two months back a first super post-Panamax vessel with a loading capacity of over 9,000 boxes made a maiden voyage to a European port.

However, the deepest draft of any port in the world is not more than 17 metre.

By taking lead in providing deep-water container terminal facility the country would also manage to attract cargoes of other countries, besides, helping its own trade by reducing cost and transit time. Presently most of the cargo destined for Pakistan first goes to other regional ports and then carried by feeder vessels to Karachi.

However, after the establishment of the new container terminal the entire process will be reversed as mother-ships (super post-Panamax vessels) will not only discharge country’s cargo directly but will also bring in transit cargo meant for other ports of the region.

According to ports and shipping experts the deeper-draft container terminal will greatly influence the shipping activity in the region and countries like China and India could also benefit from this facility. India’s north-western provinces could get a big margin in freight as compared to Mumbai Port, which is further to the south of Karachi. Similarly, Chinese provinces to south-west could also cut their cost as this terminal can reduce their distance by 500-km.

The experts said that only those ports would remain in the limelight, which keep pace with the changing environment and technology and there are many instances where some leading world ports diminished with the time and were reduced to regional ports. If the Karachi Port is to keep itself abreast of the changes it will have to upgrade its facilities and improve efficiency, they added.

The Karachi Port Trust (KPT) chairman Vice Admiral Ahmad Hayat told Dawn that already many lines had shown interest in starting their operation in Pakistan in anticipation of upcoming deep-water container terminal. He said that the KPT would take full care to ensure that the container port start its operations under first phase on June, 2009, and the progress of the project will be monitored on hourly basis.

He said under phase-I the cost would come to around $530 to $550 million and out of this the KPT will be spending around $350 million with $200 million coming through investment from the private sector.

He further said that the 1,500 metre long four-berth terminal quay wall, designed at 18 metre depth, together with separate navigable approach channel, 700 metre wide harbour basin, navigational aids and the protection works will be constructed by the KPT at Keamari Groyne.

However, he said the private sector will be asked to build and equip the 65-hectare backup area as a high throughput terminal, including container yards, storage and transfer areas, operational buildings, STS cranes, RTGs and all supporting equipment and facilities to handle a minimum of 1.5 million Teus per annum in phase-II.

The KPT chairman said that the terminal will be connected with the cargo village being developed on an area of 13.3 acres. This will provide all sorts of facilities including container freight station (CFS), warehousing complex, container storage complex, bonded warehouses, dangerous goods storage and disposal facility, marketing and commercial zone, cold storage and food processing plants etc.

Responding to a question Ahmad Hayat said that the second phase of the container terminal will be completed by 2010-12 and this will enable the terminal to handle up to 1.5 million boxes per annum.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/09/05/ebr3.htm

Thats excellent news for Pakistan.

Wow! thats gr8... :cheers:

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim said Friday that model villages with all basic facilities would soon be established in the province.

He said that he would soon visit Thatta district, where a model village was under construction. Also, the government was improving the irrigation

system and cement lining of canals would start this month.

He said there was need to construct small dams in Tharparkar, Jamshoro, Dadu, Larkana, Karachi, to ensure the use of rainwater. Earth-filled dams, rock-filled dams, and gravel-filled dams would be built to store rainwater for which Rs 433.05 million has been set aside for the construction of small dams in Nagarparkar in the Thar Package and ADP.

During 2006-07, small dams such as Delay Action and Recharge Dams would be built at a cost of Rs 491.225 million in Kohistan.

The CM said about 63,410 acres of land would be cultivated and more than 511,000 people and more than 385,000 domestic animals would receive drinking water through these small dams that would be completed within three years.

The CM said that the government was working on improving the lives of the people of rural areas who had gone without these facilities. He also said that no slackness would be tolerated in the progress of these projects.

http://dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\09\09\story_9-9-2006_pg12_8

QUETTA, Sept 26: Balochistan Minister for Transport Mir Habibur Rehman Mohammad Hasni said on Tuesday that new CNG buses would be introduced in the city to control pollution.

Addressing a meeting, he said that the provincial government was working on an agreement with a commercial vehicles manufacturing firm and the plan would be implemented soon.

City Nazim Mir Maqbool Ahmad Lehri, RTA Secretary Iftikhar Ahmad and Quetta DCO Dr Umar Babar also attended the meeting.

Addressing the meeting, Mr Lehri said that the old buses would be replaced with 1,000 new buses.

The nazim said that the city government would also launch a shuttle service from Quetta bus stop to Hazargunji bus stop for the convenience of commuters.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/09/27/nat29.htm

MITHI, Sept 26: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has said that the government has decided to build small dams in hilly areas of Tharparkar to store rainwater which can be used for drinking and irrigation.

He said that stream water flowing down the Karoonjhar mountain was wasted into the Rann of Kutch.

Speaking at a gathering in Lakhi Jo Wandhio village near Nagarparkar on Tuesday, the chief minister ordered that a feasibility report be prepared on small dams proposed to be built in the area.

The chief minister inspected the proposed site for rainwater storage reservoir.

The project director of Salinity Control and Reclamation Project informed the chief minister that the proposed dam near Lakhe Jo Wadhio would cost about Rs32 million. Its capacity will be 6,500 acre feet.

The chief minister also inspected under-construction road from Virawah to Nagarparkar and bridges on it.

Addressing a gathering in Nagarparkar, he said that there were a number of historical places in Nagarparkar and a large number of tourists arrived there every year.

He said that tourists faced problems because of lack of lodging and boarding facility rest and, therefore, the government had decided to build a large rest-house near Bhodesar.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/09/27/nat4.htm

Qadar Avenue, Hyderabad http://www.pakrealestatetimes.com/attachment.php?aid=1079

HYDERABAD: Sindh Revenue Minister Dr Irfan Gul Magsi has announced that the revenue record will be computerised and a satellite survey of government land will be launched for the first time within a month in the province.

“This satellite survey is very important and would be kicked off within one month simultaneously with the launching of a website of the revenue department,” he told newsmen after a meeting with senior revenue officials here on Saturday.

The minister, who earlier visited various revenue offices, said an officer to oversee the tasks had already been appointed. He described the revenue department as the biggest department in the province, which alone collected Rs 5.5 billion for Sindh’s total budget of Rs 13 billion. A major chunk of the Rs 5.5 billion revenue came from stamp duties and other forms of taxes and registration fees, he noted.

Magsi said the department provided half the budget of the province every year and improving its image was among his top priorities. The department is facing problems and has been devolved into districts like other departments after the devolution plan, but the provincial government is appointing revenue officers at the district and Taluka levels, he said.

The minister also declared that computerisation of the revenue record is being also launched and work on this project will be kicked off in five model districts — Hyderabad, Larkana, Sukkur, Khairpur and Mirpurkhas — within three months, while other districts’ record will also be computerised within three years. Not only taxes but also old revenue record, stamp collections and other affairs of the department would be computerised, which would help in addressing public problems.

Magsi stated that funds for computerisation were already approved and the project would be implemented shortly, adding that work on the website of the department would also be started soon.

He said a survey of government land is very important but this work has not been executed in the last many years. However, he added, this time a satellite survey will be conducted to get accurate information about the government land.

Citing an example of land grabbing, he said that only eight Dehs of Karachi, Thatta and Jamshoro alone were looked into and an initial inquiry revealed that more than 100,000 acres of land had been illegally allotted along the Super Highway alone.

He said that it has been learnt that the land was allotted illegally. The revenue officials concerned would be asked to further look into the matter and recover the government land, he added.

The minister said the revenue record of the province is being reviewed to check malpractices in the department, adding that no corrupt official would be tolerated. He informed that junior officers would not be posted to senior posts and Tapedars appointed for the survey would be sent back to their own sections.

Magsi declared that 25,000 villages would be provided with Sanads under the Goth Abad Scheme, saying that these villages were ignored after a survey and Sanads were given to 10,000 out of the 67,000 villages identified for this purpose from 1987 to 1989 in the province.

http://thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=32388

SUKKUR: Federal government would set up a dry port, spread over 10 acres with a cost of Rs 277 million in Sukkur near the Aarain Road Railway Station, said district Nazim Sukkur, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, here on Saturday.

Addressing a high level meeting at DCO Office, he said that approving the demands of Sukkur Chamber of Commerce and Industries, the federal government has directed the concerned departments to take immediate initiatives for setting up the dry port.

He said that President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz would be requested to inaugurate this dry port.

Nasir Shah said that construction of state-of-the-art Sukkur dry port would start from January 31, 2007 according to a phase-wise program, which would be completed within three years.

He said that due to this dry port, not only export of rice, cotton and dates would increase but it would also help to encourage investors and industrialists to invest in Sukkur.

Setting up of the dry port would also produce a lot of job opportunities in the district, he added. He said that dry port would also facilitate the exporters and importers of Southern Punjab and Balochistan.

DG Board of Investment General Arif Elahi, DGM Karachi Export Processing Zone Shahida Quaiser, Vice President Sukkur Chamber of Commerce and Industries Chaudhry Tanveer Ahmed, Secretary Mirza Iqbal Baig and other officers and representatives of business community attended the meeting. PPI

http://dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\11\19\story_19-11-2006_pg5_10

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=42540

Post removed!

EDIT: Site with map showing skyscrapers in our region, not working anymore. :(

http://www.app.com.pk/photo/photo_lib/14-10-2008/dcef8103bc2cb0b366e39ca06afd901d.jpg

can we make threads on each of the provinces..???

LARKANA, Oct 17: Sindh Additional Chief Secretary, Development and Planning, Nazar Hussain Mahar, has asked the works and services department to immediately invite tenders for work on uplift schemes under the Larkana Development Package.

Speaking at a meeting in this regard here on Friday, he said that the Sindh government had provided Rs2 billion under the package.

The meeting reviewed the progress on the district’s annual development programme. Mr Mahar asked the relevant officials not to compromise on quality of the work.

DCO Abdul Aziz Uqaili briefed the addition chief secretary on development activities under the package so far undertaken by the district government. He said more funds would be required to complete some schemes of the ADP.

Project Director Saindino Mirani said that around 10 schemes pertaining to roads would be started at a cost of Rs2,935 million. The federal government would bear 70 per cent of the cost and the Sindh government would provide rest of the amount, he said.

Superintendent Engineer, Highways Department, Sukkur, Ghulam Qadir Leghari, said that the National Highway Authority had been assigned to undertake work on the widening, reconditioning and strengthening of Moenjodaro-Larkana, Larkana-Naudero, Naudero-Lakhi Ghulam Shah, Larkana-Qamber, Qamber-Shahdadkot, Larkana-Nasirabad and Ratodero-Naudero roads.

Besides, the provincial highway department had been entrusted to undertake the rehabilitation of the roads from Radhan to Moenjodaro, Badah to Moenjodaro, Dokri to Nasirabad and Qamber to Ratodero at a cost of Rs1,060 million, he said.