Federal Minister for Planning Development & Special Initiatives Asad Umar reviewed the implementation plan of major development projects of PSDP

Dated : 2 December 2021

Federal Minister for Planning Development & Special Initiatives Asad Umar reviewed the implementation plan of major development projects of PSDP here in Islamabad on Wednesday. Member Implementation & Monitoring Planning Commission, DG Monitoring & Evaluation, and senior officials attended the meeting.

Minister was briefed regarding the progress of hiring private specialist firms for monitoring and major development projects progress update.

Minister was briefed on the progress of two major roads in Gilgit Baltistan namely “Upgradation and Widening of Jaglot - Skardu Road (167 km)” & “updated progress on Naltar valley road of GB”. Minister directed the concerned department to work expeditiously on the remaining two bridges of the “Upgradation and Widening of Jaglot - Skardu Road (167 km)” project, which is a very important artery in Gilgit-Baltistan, and complete it as soon as possible. This will trigger and boost domestic and international tourism in the region.

It was informed in the meeting that more than the two-third length of Naltar Valley Road has been blacktopped. Minister directed to fully mobilize the required resources to ensure completion of road by June 2022. He said that this road project will open up the doors for tourism and contribute to the creation of more job opportunities and accrue social-economic impact for the region.

Minister was also briefed on the progress & status of Land acquisition for the Sukkur –Hyderabad motorway. the Minister said that the Land acquisition for Sukkur –Hyderabad motorway should be completed on a priority basis so that construction on the project can be started in the third quarter of CFY. he also directed NHA to ensure effective coordination with provincial and districts administration for timely resolution of project sites issues so that the construction phase of this important motorway should not be delayed.

Member (Implementation & Monitoring) Planning Commission apprised the Minister regarding shortlisting of seventeen private specialist firms for monitoring. The monitoring reports will commence being submitted by these firms after mid of December 2021. After the initial thirty project monitoring by the M&E specialist firms, the program will be upscale.

During the meeting, the Minister also reviewed the progress of Mohmand Dam and Dasu Dam and emphasized the priority funding to these projects.