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Hawke briefed

on Pakistan's

highway network

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 to the needs 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 Zardari, Shahid Hassan Khan, Syed Naveed Qamar, Presidents of MCB and ABL and other senior officials.

Bob Hawke put forth a volley of questions about the possibilities of foreign investment in the road projects.

Zardari and Shahid Hassan answered various questions with regard to the economic package of the government, especially in the energy sector, during the four-hour long briefing.

The NHA Chairman said that the government had started an ambitious programme for the development of national highways which was expected to cost over Rs. 100 billion over a period of eight years starting from 1992.

He said that the total length of road network in country was approximately 190,000 km including eight 'highways' having a total length of 6587 km.

Siddiqui said that Indus Highway was an alternative link running from north to south of the country which would ultimately reduce a distance between Karachi and Peshawar by 400 km.

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

The Karakoram Highway, about 774 km will prove a milestone for economic uplift of the country.

The Lyari-Ormara-Pasni-Gwadar-Jewani Coastal Highway will be completed at a cost of Rs. 4.5 billion by the 2000.

The NHA, Chairman also mentioned the various bridge projects in Punjab and Sindh.

Hawke showed keen interests in these projects.

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 also mentioned the vast opportunities for foreign investment in the projects of NHA and the facilities provided by the government.

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

Hawke expressed hope that Australian investors would positively respond to the vast investment opportunities existing in Pakistan.-APP