Pakistan: General Progress News & Updates

[singaporean]

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

[singaporean]

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

[singaporean]

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

[singaporean]

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

[singaporean]

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!!

[singaporean]

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

[singaporean]

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

[singaporean]

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

[cntower]

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

[singaporean]

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

[pakboy]

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.

[singaporean]

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

[singaporean]

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

[singaporean]

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

[singaporean]

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

[singaporean]

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

[singaporean]

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

[singaporean]

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

[singaporean]

‘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

[singaporean]

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