September 18, 2021

17th Board of Directors’ meeting of Public Private Partnership Authority held under the Chairmanship of Asad Umar

Islamabad, September 18, 2021 (PPI-OT):The 17th Board of Directors’ meeting of Public Private Partnership Authority was held on 17th September 2021 in Islamabad under the Chairmanship of Mr. Asad Umar, Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives (MoPD and SI). The Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Secretary MoPD and SI, nominee of Secretary Finance Division, Secretary Communications, Member Private Sector Development, Chairman NHA, CEO, P3A and two private members of the Board, Ms. Huma Ejaz Zaman and Mr. Akbar Ayub Khan, also attended the meeting.

The Board of P3A approved the Bid Documents of the landmark Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway Project proposed to be constructed on Public Private Partnership (PPP) basis at approved construction cost of approximately PKR 191 Billion (US$ 1.23 Billion). The Commercial Feasibility Study and revised Transaction Structure of Sukkur Hyderabad Motorway (the Project) was previously approved by the Board of P3A.

The Project entails construction of a 306 km green-field 6-lane access controlled toll road on Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) basis. The Project is expected to be completed in 30 months following financial close. The concession period of the Project is spread over 25 years. Private sector will be given the tolling and other ancillary development rights of the Project to cover its life-cycle costs and earn adequate rate of return on investment.

Via an innovative structure, the Government of Pakistan (GoP) is supporting the financial viability and bankability of the Project through provision of capital and operational Viability Gap Funding (VGF) by committing to provide maximum of PKR 43 billion during the construction period and operational VGF payments spread over the first 7 operational years. Following the Board’s approval of the Bid Documents, the Project will be floated in the market and the bidders shall be given adequate time to prepare their proposals. The Board also approved the Public Private Partnership Working Party (P3WP) Regulations, 2021.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Asad Umar and the other members of the P3A appreciated the performance and efforts of the P3A team. The Minister highlighted that the development of transportation corridors was critical to the present Government’s development strategy and the Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway would be a vital section of the North-South connectivity and would also have a far reaching social and economic impact.

For more information, contact:
Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives
“P” Block, Pakistan Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9209442
Fax: +92-51-9201777
Email: webmanager@pc.gov.pk
Website: https://www.pc.gov.pk/

September 18, 2021

Asad Umar dispels impression of slowing down pace of CPEC

Islamabad, September 18, 2021 (PPI-OT):Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar has dispelled the impression of slowing down pace of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor saying that major work of the projects was completed during Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, he said in first phase of CPEC, two major sectors power and infrastructure were under main focus. Power projects with installed capacity of 3,340 MW were completed during the previous government while 5,864 MW of power projects are being completed during the current government’s tenure.

In infrastructure and road sector, Asad Umar said that the PML-N government completed 394 kilometres long motorways and highways under CPEC while the current government so far completed 413kms of the motorways and highways.

For more information, contact:
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Government of Pakistan
4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9103557
Email: info@moib.gov.pk
Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk

September 18, 2021

India trying to sabotage Pakistan’s soft image: Rashid

Islamabad, September 18, 2021 (PPI-OT):Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid says India is trying to sabotage Pakistan’s soft image around the world as its media has expedited a malicious campaign against Pakistan. Talking to a private television channel, he said Pakistan’s security agencies are fully capable to counter terrorism and we had provided high profile security to New Zealand team.

Commenting on decision taken by New Zealand team cancelling cricket series with Pakistan, he said, it has disappointed Pakistani nation as they are cricket-lovers. The interior minister said Pakistan had given unprecedented sacrifices on war on terror and extended full support to peace process in Afghanistan.

September 18, 2021

Pakistan, Tajikistan agree to upgrade bilateral relations to long-term strategic partnership

Islamabad, September 18, 2021 (PPI-OT):Pakistan and Tajikistan have agreed to upgrade the bilateral relations to the level of a long-term strategic partnership. According to the Joint Statement on establishment of strategic partnership between the two countries, Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Emomali Rahmon at a meeting in Dushanbe, underscored that the strategic partnership will create a sustainable foundation for development of long-term relations between the two countries.

The two leaders expressed satisfaction over the growing mutually beneficial political, trade, economic, scientific, technical, and cultural cooperation between the two sides. They underscored the importance of expansion of mutually beneficial economic and trade cooperation, improvement of investment and trade environment between the two countries. They also reiterated their resolve for timely completion of “CASA-1000” power transmission project. The parties expressed their readiness to expand cooperation in transport.

They particularly noted the importance of construction of railways and highways from Tajikistan to Karachi and Gwadar seaports of Pakistan and the need for integration of Tajikistan with regional transport projects. The two leaders expressed satisfaction with the steady development of cooperation between Tajikistan and Pakistan in the fields of security and defence. Pakistan, Tajikistan sign various agreements, MOUs

Pakistan and Tajikistan have signed various agreements and Memoranda of Understanding for cooperation in diverse areas including trade, investment, banking, tourism, information and broadcasting etc. Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Emomali Rahmon witnessed the signing of documents at a ceremony held after holding one-on-one meeting and delegation level talks in Dushanbe. Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Advisor to PM on Commerce Abdul Razzak Dawood and Pakistan’s Ambassador in Dushanbe Imran Haider and their counterparts from Tajikistan signed the documents on behalf of their respective countries.

September 18, 2021

CCoE approves winter incentive package for power consumers

Islamabad, September 18, 2021 (PPI-OT):A meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Energy chaired by Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar in Islamabad has approved a winter incentive package for power consumers on incremental consumption from the 1st of November till 28th February next year.

A summary to this effect was moved by the Power Division. The forum also constituted a committee headed by Minister for Science and Technology Shibli Faraz to furnish recommendations to promote use of energy efficient appliances.

September 18, 2021

Foreign Minister welcomes UK’s decision to remove Pakistan from international travel red list

Islamabad, September 18, 2021 (PPI-OT):Britain has removed eight countries including Pakistan, Turkey and Maldives from the international travel red list to make travel easier for fully vaccinated people. In a tweet, UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said double-vaccinated travellers coming from non-red list countries will no longer have to take pre-departure tests from 4th of next month. He said the measure has been taken to reduce costs, take advantage of higher levels of vaccination and keep us all safe.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has welcomed United Kingdom’s decision to remove Pakistan from the red list. In a video message, he said Pakistan presented data on scientific basis. The Foreign Minister said this is great news for many Pakistanis who have suffered financially and mentally due to the red list.

September 18, 2021

Prime Minister calls for formation of inclusive govt in Afghanistan

Islamabad, September 18, 2021 (PPI-OT):Prime Minister Imran Khan has called for formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan to strengthen national unity and create long term stability in the war-torn country. In an interview to Russia Today television, he said Pakistan is working with the neighbours of Afghanistan to determine what the Afghan government should do to gain international community’s recognition. Imran Khan said that Pakistan was part of the international community and the recognition of the Taliban government in Afghanistan would be a significant step.

To a question, he said that if it was considered that Islamabad helped Taliban against US, it would mean that Pakistan was more strong from America and all European countries and Pakistan along with 60000 to 70000 men militia carrying light weapons succeeded in defeating an army of 300,000 troops. He said, unfortunately, a propaganda campaign was started against Pakistan.

The propaganda was started to divert attention from the incapacity, corruption and lack of governance by the last Afghanistan government. Imran Khan said the second element in this propaganda was India which had made a huge investment in Afghanistan. He said a comprehensive analysis should be done to know the reasons as to why the army of the bravest nation of the world laid down its weapons without a fight.