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Australian keen in

Pakistan road projects

ISLAMABAD: Outlining government's attractive economic package for foreign investors in the communication sector, Chairman, National Highway Authority (NHA), Shahid Aziz Siddiqui has said, a comprehensive road network will enable Pakistan to cater the need of 21st century.

In a briefing to the former Australian premier, Bob Hawke, here at the Privatisation Division, Siddiqui gave an extensive overview about the country-wide road network including Indus , Karakorum and Coastal highways.

The briefing was also attended by Asif Ali Zardai, MNA and Chairman Pakistan Environmental Protection Council (PEPC), which included among other, Shahid Hassan Khan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, Syed Naveed Qamar, Chairman Privatisation Division, Presidents of MCB and ABL and other senior officials.

Bob Hawke, who is visiting Pakistan at the invitation of Asif Ali Zardari, put forth volley of questions about the possibilities of foreign investment in the road projects.

Asif Ali Zardari and Shahid Hassan Khan answered various questions with regard to the economic package of government, specially in the energy sector, to Hawke, during the 3-hour long extensive briefing.

The Chairman NHA informed that the government has started an ambitious programme for the development of National Highways which is expected to cost over Rs. 100 billion over a period of 8 years starting from 1992.

He said that the total road network in country is approximated at 190,000 km which include eight highways having a total length of 6587 kms.

Detailing about the Indus Highway, Siddiqui said that this highway was an alternative link running from North to South in the country which will ultimately reduce a distance between Karachi and Peshawar by 400 kms.

Indus Highway, he said, will also form a vital link between the Central Asian States, connecting Gawader with Afghanistan and onward to Central Asian states via Khuzdar in Balochistan and to Ratodero in Sindh onward.

The Karakorum Highway, extended to about 774 kms, after completion will prove a milestone for economic uplift of the country.

Lyari-Ormara-Pasni-Gawader-Jewani Coastal Highway ,he informed will be completed at a cost of Rs. 4.5 billion by the year 2000.

The completion of the this highway will link the Coastal areas with major cities including Karachi and open new vistas of progress and prosperity for Balochistan province.

The Chairman, NHA, also briefed the former Australian Primer about the various bridge projects in Punjab and Sindh Province. Hawke showed keen interests in these small projects which ensure high rates of return in the minimum of time.

Siddiqui also informed about the interest and assistance of Overseas Economic Corporation Fund (OECF) which was helping Pakistan in the development of these projects.

He said several development projects were underway with the cooperation of OECF and NHA was making good use of these funds to enhance the status of these highways to the international standard.

Siddiqui informed Hawke about the vast opportunities of foreign investment in the projects of NHA and the facilities provided by the government in this regard.

The Chairman NHA said that various foreign companies have responded positively to the offers made by the government. NHA , he informed, also received proposals for the execution of some projects on partial financing basis.

He said the Government intends to construct its road and bridges projects on Build-Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis and private sector was being invited to participate.

Hawke appreciated the "impressive briefing" and hoped that the Australian investors would positively respond to the vast investment opportunities existing in Pakistan.-APP