tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278279504304651957.post2488218850472530321..comments2024-03-26T19:25:43.970-07:00Comments on South Asia Investor Review: Pakistan's Modern InfrastructureRiaz Haqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278279504304651957.post-78863558263965186882022-12-25T19:05:21.171-08:002022-12-25T19:05:21.171-08:00ADB CAREC Energy Report
https://www.adb.org/site...ADB CAREC Energy Report<br /><br /><br />https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/850111/carec-energy-outlook-2030.pdf<br /><br /><br />Transmission and Distribution<br />Pakistan’s power T&D system is suffering from significant energy losses and disruptions. In 2020, 19.8%<br />of energy was lost during its transmission, distribution, and delivery to end consumers. Among the<br />10 distribution companies, losses vary greatly from 9% to 39% (NEPRA 2020). On average, the country<br />experienced 81 interruptions (system average interruption frequency index) lasting nearly 5,300 minutes<br />(system average interruption duration index) in 2020. The poor performance can be attributed to a<br />variety of factors, including poor technical conditions, insufficient collection rate of accounts receivable,<br />and issues with circular debt present in the country.<br />Pakistan had 7,470 kilometers (km) of 500 kilovolts (kV) and 11,281 km of 220 kV T&D lines in 2020.<br />Distribution companies are responsible for T&D activities below 132 kV. Importantly, only 74% of Pakistan’s<br />population is connected to the power grid. With high electricity losses and frequent outages, Pakistan is<br />planning to introduce advanced grid management infrastructure and metering. Advanced conductors and<br />other smart grid upgrades could help reduce T&D losses.<br />There are two operators in Pakistan’s natural gas T&D system: Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited<br />(SNGPL), covering the central and northern regions of the country; and Sui Southern Gas Company<br />Limited (SSGCL), covering the southern regions. Total grid losses accounted for nearly 17% by SSGCL and<br />11% by SNGPL in 2020. According to estimates, average leakage rate is 4.9 leaks per km for SSGCL, and<br />2.2 leaks per km for SNGPL (for comparison, this value equals 0.2 in Germany and 0.4 in Massachusetts, on<br />average). The gas pipeline systems require a major overhaul and modernization to increase the efficiency<br />of transportation and to reduce leakages.Riaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278279504304651957.post-79925984055000141212022-12-25T19:04:02.146-08:002022-12-25T19:04:02.146-08:00ADB CAREC Energy Report
https://www.adb.org/site...ADB CAREC Energy Report<br /><br /><br />https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/850111/carec-energy-outlook-2030.pdf<br /><br />Electricity Generation<br />Pakistan’s electricity sector has a total installed capacity of 34.5 GW, with thermal generation dominating<br />the power mix, having a share of 66% (National Transmission and Despatch Company 2020). Gas-fired<br />plants are the main source of power, having an installed capacity of almost 9.3 GW, while oil-fired power<br />plants have 6.5 GW installed capacity and coal-fired plants have 4.6 GW. Since the regulatory framework<br />allowed independent power producers to develop generation projects, multiple new thermal power<br />plants were constructed. As the country’s oil and natural gas reserves are diminishing, further growth in<br />alternative energy sources is needed.<br />Historically, hydropower was one of the main sources of electricity generation in Pakistan. The total<br />hydropower resource potential is estimated at 60 GW (Faizi 2020). However, with the expansion of<br />thermal power, its share in electricity has declined significantly and currently holds a 29% share of total<br />installed capacity. The country has 30 hydropower plants in operation, with a total installed capacity<br />of 9.9 GW, including 17 categorized as major hydropower and 13 as small hydropower units operating<br />mainly as a run-of-river units. The three main projects are Tarbela Dam (4.8 GW installed capacity),<br />Ghazi–Barotha (1.4 GW), and Mangla Dam (1.1 GW). Tarbela and Mangla dams, commissioned in the<br />1970s, are considered the main contributors to hydropower generation. To enhance the quality and<br />reliability of supply, Mangla Dam is planned for refurbishment, and Tarbela Dam for extension.<br />Pakistan’s first nuclear power plant, Karachi Nuclear Power Plant (KANUPP), began operations in 1970,<br />with a capacity of 100 megawatts (MW). Since then, nuclear power generation has experienced active<br />growth, and current capacity is 2.5 GW. Cross-country cooperation is a cornerstone of Pakistan’s strategy<br />to reach its goal of 8,800 MW of nuclear installed capacity by 2030. Currently, one new reactor of<br />1,100 MW is being built.<br />The country’s renewable energy potential has been realized to only a limited extent. The theoretical<br />potential of total wind energy is estimated at 340 GW, with the southern wind corridors being the most<br />auspicious—the Gharo–Keti Bandar wind corridor has over 50 GW of potential alone. However, only<br />around 1.1 GW of wind energy capacity is currently in operation. Likewise, solar power has tremendous<br />potential—as high as 2,900 GW, only about 0.4 GW of which is installed as of 2021. Although projects such<br />as the Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park (0.4 GW capacity) were successfully implemented, the lack of political<br />commitment, land availability, and the lower performance of outdated PV plants installed earlier are among<br />the reasons for limited development of renewable energy. Additional potential solutions include offshore<br />wind, floating solar PV in existing hydropower reservoirs, and wind farms near hydropower plants with<br />integration into existing grid infrastructure.<br /><br />Power generation during fiscal year 2020 reached 121,691 GWh: 32% by hydroelectric plants, 57% by<br />thermal plants, 8% by nuclear plants, and 3% by renewable energy power plants.<br />Transmission and Distribution<br />Pakistan’s power T&D system is suffering from significant energy losses and disruptions. In 2020, 19.8%<br />of energy was lost during its transmission, distribution, and delivery to end consumers. Among the<br />10 distribution companies, losses vary greatly from 9% to 39% (NEPRA 2020). On average, the country<br />experienced 81 interruptions (system average interruption frequency index) lasting nearly 5,300 minutes<br />(system average interruption duration index) in 2020. The poor performance can be attributed to a<br />variety of factors, including poor technical conditions, insufficient collection rate of accounts receivable,<br />and issues with circular debt present in the country.<br />Pakistan had 7,470 kilometers (km) of 500 kilovolts (kV) and 11,281 km of 220 kV T&D lines in 2020.<br /><br />Riaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278279504304651957.post-23468662038345696722022-11-27T10:22:53.932-08:002022-11-27T10:22:53.932-08:00Government Approves M6 Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway
...Government Approves M6 Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway<br /><br />https://propakistani.pk/2022/11/08/government-approves-m6-hyderabad-sukkur-motorway/<br /><br /><br />The government has greenlit the construction of Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway M-6 under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.<br /><br />According to the details, the completion period for this project is 30 months. It will include 15 interchanges, one major bridge over the Indus River, 82 bridges over canals, 19 overpass bridges, 6 flyovers, and 10 service areas.<br /><br />CPEC officials told the media that this project will provide employment opportunities to the local people and will also support the country’s economy.<br /><br />A recent update revealed that the National Highways & Motorway Police (NH&MP) has significantly reduced the speed limit on certain sections of motorways across Pakistan.<br /><br />According to details, the NH&MP has reduced the speed limit in order to reduce accidents on motorways. The sections with a revised speed limit are as follows:<br /><br />Lahore-Islamabad Motorway (M2) – Thokar Niaz Baig to Ravi Toll Plaza<br />Pindi Bhattian-Multan Motorway (M4) – Pindi Bhattian to Multan<br />Lahore-Sialkot Motorway (M11) – Lahore to Sambrial<br />Hakla–Yarik Motorway (M14) – Hakla to Dera-Ismail Khan<br /><br />These sections of the motorway are either surrounded by population or have a bumpy road section. Also, with the winter season fast approaching, the visibility on motorways is compromised due to fog.<br /><br />This precautionary step from NHMP is to discourage overspeeding under such circumstances and protect them from a potential tragedy.Riaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278279504304651957.post-45543046641539709792022-11-27T10:13:14.845-08:002022-11-27T10:13:14.845-08:00Mastercard partners with Pakistan’s One Network to...Mastercard partners with Pakistan’s One Network to Digitize Road Toll Payments | Middle East/Africa Hub<br /><br />https://newsroom.mastercard.com/mea/press-releases/mastercard-partners-with-pakistans-one-network-to-digitize-road-toll-payments/<br /><br />Islamabad, Pakistan; 08 November 2021 – Mastercard has signed a strategic partnership with the Pakistani intelligent transport systems provider, One Network, to digitize the country’s road toll payments network. The announcement was signed at the Pakistan Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, where Mastercard is the Official Payment Technology Partner, in the presence of Frontier Works Organization, Pakistan’s biggest toll collection entity.<br /><br />The partnership will see Mastercard integrate its digital payment gateway infrastructure into One Network’s newly launched Apple and Android smartphone app, allowing motorway commuters to top-up their M-Tag cards in advance from anywhere using their mobile devices. The newly developed app will also enable motorists to review their travel history and check their balance in real-time.<br /><br />Every year, over three hundred million vehicles travel and pay Toll Tax on Pakistan’s motorways. M-Tag uses RFID technology (radio-frequency identification) to automatically and digitally deduct credit from commuters’ prepaid M-Tag accounts as they pass through RFID-enabled toll lanes. With the integration of Mastercard’s digital mobility payment solutions, commuters can add credit whenever and wherever is most convenient to them through the new application without interrupting their journeys.Riaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278279504304651957.post-20028574971923213092022-07-19T15:49:56.177-07:002022-07-19T15:49:56.177-07:00NHA gears up to link CPEC M-14 with Pakistan-Afgha...NHA gears up to link CPEC M-14 with Pakistan-Afghanistan border<br /><br />https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2022/07/05/nha-gears-up-to-link-cpec-m-14-with-pak-afghan-border/<br /><br /><br />ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to connect Ghulam Khan in North Waziristan with Motorway 14 (M-14), a project of the western alignment route of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) via a 184km-long Motorway.<br /><br />According to Gwadar Pro on Tuesday, the National Highway Authority (NHA) on Monday issued a request for proposal (RFP) of consultancy services for the Feasibility Study and Detailed Design for the Construction of the Motorway from Ghulam Khan to Esa Khel Interchange (184km approx).<br /><br />The project will be financed by the Federal Government through PSDP 2022-23 through separate head/allocation.<br /><br />In this regard, a pre-proposal conference on the project will be held on July 19, 2022, at NHA headquarters in Islamabad while procurement will be carried out by adopting the “Single Stage Two Envelops” procedure.<br /><br />The proposals complete in all respects in accordance with the instructions provided in the RFP document in sealed envelopes, which should reach on or before August 10, 2022.<br /><br />Esa Khel Interchange is located over M-14 in Mianwali district of Punjab, which is in proximity to the Lakki Marwat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Between Mianwali and Ghulam Khan falls Bannu district of KP. After Torkham and Chaman, Ghulam Khan is the third most important crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan.<br /><br />Afghanistan has already started benefiting from Gwadar Port and the country received the first consignment of bulk cargo from the United Arab Emirates in July 2020. Ghulam Khan crossing, at the Pak-Afghan border point, is the shortest route connecting CPEC’s western route with Afghanistan, Central Asian States and beyond.<br /><br />Riaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278279504304651957.post-85101098983934138262022-03-27T19:28:39.024-07:002022-03-27T19:28:39.024-07:00Pakistan - Operational Design for the Project Deve...Pakistan - Operational Design for the Project Development Fund and for the Viability Gap Fund<br /><br />https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/12391<br /><br /><br />This final report is the fifth deliverable for the World Bank funded project 'operational design for the project development fund and for the viability gap fund'. Taking into account feedback and further consideration of issues rose in the previous Reports, it aims to: provide high level recommendations on the overall Public Private Partnership (PPP) framework in Pakistan, recognizing international best practice but also taking into account the specific Pakistan context and the challenges faced their-in; provide the analysis of the project pipeline for PPP projects in Pakistan, on the basis of consultations undertaken in Islamabad in May 2009; and design possible structures for the Project Development Fund (PDF) and for the Viability Gap Fund (VGF), that is informed by the current local enabling environment for PPPs, including the institutional capabilities and the existing pipeline of PPP projects. This final report incorporates feedback from the World Bank and the Government of Pakistan on each of the above-listed issues, which were set out and discussed in details in previous reports.Riaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278279504304651957.post-46468313543931269092022-03-27T19:22:04.357-07:002022-03-27T19:22:04.357-07:00Since the 1990s, the federal and provincial govern...Since the 1990s, the federal and provincial governments in Pakistan have sought to encourage private sector participation in development projects and in the provision of public infrastructure and related services in Pakistan. Beginning in the 2000s, several legal and regulatory changes have been made to expand the use of public–private partnerships.<br /><br />https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=3df8a24e-6658-405c-ad66-d45e8874bf82<br /><br />As of 2020, the federal government and all four provincial governments have passed PPP-specific legislation, formalising and enabling the regime, including by creating independent statutory bodies to facilitate, support and promote PPPs. At the federal level, the Public Private Partnership Authority (the PPP Authority) was set up in 2017 under the Public Private Partnership Authority Act, No. VIII of 2017 (the 2017 PPP Act). The PPP Authority replaced the Infrastructure Project Development Facility (IPDF), formed by the federal government in 2006 to facilitate PPPs. The 2017 PPP Act was subsequently amended through the Public Private Partnership Authority (Amendment) Act, 2021 (the 2021 Amendment Act), to create a more facilitative PPP regulatory framework and make it more amenable to private investment in development projects.<br /><br />Traditionally, PPPs in Pakistan have been particularly common in the energy, power generation and transportation sectors. In fiscal year 2019–2020, 17 infrastructure projects involving private investment reached financial closure.2 The power sector made up the largest investment share with a total investment amount of US$5 billion.3 In recent years, though, the government has expressed a commitment to using PPPs in many more sectors including aviation, technology, healthcare, tourism and others. In late 2019, the Prime Minister approved a development plan, expected to run from fiscal years 2020 to 2023, termed the Public Sector Development Programme Plus (PSDP+) initiative, firmly orienting the government towards PPPs across sectors.4<br /><br />In addition to the federal initiative, each of the four provinces – Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – has its own specific roster of projects and policies to promote PPPs. In accordance with the Constitution, PPPs in the areas enumerated in the Federal Legislative List fall within the domain of the federal government, while other areas generally fall under the domain of the provinces. This chapter focuses on the federal regime as exemplary of other models, but where relevant, also references the provincial regimes.<br /><br />The year in review<br /><br />According to information available on the PPP Authority's official website, at the federal level, 47 PPP projects are in the pipeline across sectors out of the 105 PSDP+ portfolio federal projects.5 Additionally, the PPP Authority lists a number of 'early harvest' projects that it is assisting with, including:<br /><br />the construction of the Sukkur Hyderabad Motorway (expected cost around US$1.2 billion);<br />the construction of the Sialkot Kharian Motorway (expected cost around US$225 million);<br />the construction of a teaching and research hospital;<br />the construction of an innovations ecosystem (science and technology park);<br />the conversion of a guesthouse located in Lahore (the provincial capital of Punjab province) into a hotel;<br />the creation of a mass transit facility in a major city, the Karachi Circular Railway; and<br />the modernisation of the current Karachi–Pipri Rail Track.6<br />Previous projects finalised by the IPDF include:<br /><br />the overlay and modernisation of the Lahore Islamabad Motorway (investment of US$460 million), which has been in operation since 2016;<br />the construction of the Lahore Sialkot Motorway (investment of US$438 million), which is in operation now;<br />the conversion of an existing four-lane super highway into a six-lane Karachi Hyderabad highway (investment of US$430 million), which has been in operation since 2017; and<br />the construction of the Habibabad Flyover (investment of US$8 million), which has been in operation since 2014.7<br />Riaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278279504304651957.post-17121339519984646482022-01-18T10:40:07.340-08:002022-01-18T10:40:07.340-08:00List of Motorways in Pakistan
https://www.incpak....List of Motorways in Pakistan<br /><br />https://www.incpak.com/info/motorways-in-pakistan/<br /><br /><br />1. M1 Motorway<br />The M1 Motorway (also known as the Peshawar to Islamabad Motorway) was built in the year 2007, while many of the interchanges were added to the project in later years. The M1 Motorway is 155KM long and it has six lanes.<br /><br />2. M2 Motorway<br />The M2 Motorway was the first one ever built in Pakistan connecting the country’s capital Islamabad to Lahore, which is the Provincial Capital of Punjab. The M2 is a six-lane and 367KM long Motorway.<br /><br />3. M3 Motorway<br />The M3 Motorway was completed in 2019. It is a six-lane Motorway spanning the length of 230KM from Lahore to Abdul Hakeem.<br /><br />4. M4 Motorway<br />The construction for this Motorway began in 2009 and completed in 2019. The M4 Motorway has four to six lanes throughout the length of 309KM from Pindi Bhattian to Multan.<br /><br />5. M5 Motorway<br />The Multan to Sukkur Motorway (formally known as M5 Motorway) was built in 2019. It is 392KM long and has six lanes.<br /><br />6. M6 Motorway<br />The Sukkur to Hyderabad Motorway (M6) is currently under construction and not yet operational. The M6 Motorway will have six lanes over a length of 306KM.<br /><br />7. M7 Motorway<br />The M7 Motorway is going to follow the route of Dadu to Hub and cover an area of 270KM. The project is still pending and construction is yet to begin.<br /><br />8. M8 Motorway<br />The M8 Motorway (formally known as M8 Motorway) is the longest one in Pakistan at 892KM from Ratodero to Gwadar. The Motorway is partially operational and the remaining road is currently under construction.<br /><br />9. M9 Motorway<br />The M9 Motorway (Hyderabad to Karachi) is a 136KM long six-lane Motorway which has been operational since 1028. The Motorway is more commonly as Super Highway.<br /><br />10. M10 Motorway<br />This M10 Motorway is also known as the Karachi Northern Bypass and covers a distance of 57KM. The two lane Motorway was built in 2007 and there are currently plans to expand it to four-lanes.<br /><br />11. M11 Motorway<br />The Lahore to Sialkot or M9 Motorway was built in 2020 and covers a distance of 103KM with four lanes.<br /><br />12. M12 Motorway<br />The M12 Motorway (also known as Sialkot to Kharian Motorway) is currently under construction and expected to be completed by 2023. This is going to be a four lane Motorway.<br /><br />13. M13 Motorway<br />The M12 Motorway is a planned project from Kharian to Rawalpindi. It is cover a distance of 117KM and have four lanes. The construction is expected to start somewhere around 2023.<br /><br />14. M14 Motorway<br />The M14 Motorway (also known as Islamabad to Dera Ismail Khan Motorway) was built in 2021 and covers an area of 285KM. This is a six-lane Motorway which is also called Hakla-Yarik Highway.<br /><br />15. M15 Motorway<br />The M15 Motorway is also known as the Hazara Motorway and covers a distance of 180KM from Hasan Abdal to Thakot. The Motorway will have six, four, or two planes depending on different points throughout the road.<br /><br />16. M16 Motorway<br />The Swabi to Chakdara Motorway (known as M16 Motorway) was built in 2020 and covers an area of 160KM. It is a four lane Motorway, which is also known as Swat MotorwayRiaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278279504304651957.post-38750439341697251392022-01-04T22:26:04.124-08:002022-01-04T22:26:04.124-08:0079pc motorways and 68pc highways completed under C...79pc motorways and 68pc highways completed under CPEC<br /><br /><br />https://pakobserver.net/79pc-motorways-and-68pc-highways-completed-under-cpec/<br /><br />As many as 79% work on motorways and 68% on highways have been completed on eastern and western routes of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), according to Gwadar Pro.Both the Western and Eastern alignments will connect Khunjerab Pass to Gwadar.<br /><br />The common alignment for all the three eastern, western and central routes including 790 km road from Khunjerab to Burhan and 193 km road from Hoshab to Gwadar has been completed already.<br /><br />Burhan will be at the intersection of the Eastern and Western Alignment.<br /><br />According to the officials in the Ministry of Communication, the distance of the Eastern route starting from Islamabad to Karachi is 1,419 km, out of which 79% work on motorways has been completed whereas 21% is left which is 306 km Sukkur Hyderabad motorway.This is the only patch left in the eastern route of CPEC. Sukkur Hyderabad motorway is expected to be complete in the next 30 months. The company which won the tender has already been allowed to start its construction.<br /><br />On the other hand, the western route of CPEC starts from Islamabad to D. I Khan, then D. I Khan to Quetta, and from Quetta to Gwadar. Excluding the common alignment, the total length of this route is 1,714 km. Out of which 68% has been completed while 32% is under construction.<br /><br />The Islamabad to D I khan motorway has been completed recently. The very important link of the western route of CPEC is D.I khan to Zoub and Quetta which is 540 km patch.<br /><br />Riaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278279504304651957.post-561080014968206752021-08-28T17:03:03.447-07:002021-08-28T17:03:03.447-07:00#Pakistan to launch 911 #emergency helpline PEHEL ...#Pakistan to launch 911 #emergency helpline PEHEL (Pakistan Emergency HELpline) across the country. https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/pakistan/single-emergency-helpline-911-to-be-launched-in-pakistan-1.81867246<br /><br />Different emergency numbers will be merged into one hotline<br /><br />Islamabad: The Pakistan government is set to launch an all-in-one emergency helpline 911 to swiftly respond to call for help across the country.<br /><br />Different emergency numbers will be merged into one hotline called Pakistan Emergency Helpline (PEHEL). The idea is to launch a service similar to the 911 helpline in the United States.<br /><br />The project is being implemented by the National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC) and the Digital Pakistan initiative of the IT ministry. NTC, which is responsible for providing secure and reliable telecommunication services to government organizations, is spearheading the initiative to help the citizens in distress. The software applications are being developed by NTC and the National Information Technology Board (NITB).<br /><br />The dedicated emergency response number can be dialled to avail different services including police, ambulance, and other rescue and support so that the citizens will not have to go through different helplines during emergencies.<br /><br />The decision was taken in the wake of the horrific rape incident at Lahore-Sialkot Motorway in September 2020 in which the victim failed to get any help through the motorway helpline. The incident prompted Prime Minister Imran Khan to launch a dedicated hotline to prevent such crimes and offer citizens immediate help during the emergency situation.<br /><br />Khan had asked the PM Delivery Unit (PMDU) to complete work on the emergency helpline by December 2020. However, the launch of the pilot project in Islamabad is expected to take another two months. The testing of the service has been completed. The operations would initially begin at Safe City Islamabad.<br /><br />The PEHEL 911 service would offer a “unified and one-window access to all emergency services” in Pakistan, according to IT Minister Syed Aminul Haq. The IT ministry will provide technical support and infrastructure and the interior ministry will ensure the smooth....Riaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278279504304651957.post-51260733764120241362021-08-16T18:02:08.069-07:002021-08-16T18:02:08.069-07:00Night view of a well-lit grid-station in #Lahore. ...Night view of a well-lit grid-station in #Lahore. It connects #Punjab to 878 Km 600 Kv HVDC $2.1 billion Lahore-#Matiari (#Sindh) #power #transmission line that recently became part of #Pakistan's national grid. #CPEC #China<br /><br />https://twitter.com/haqsmusings/status/1427433907608199175?s=20Riaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278279504304651957.post-81025563651523378812021-06-24T19:27:06.864-07:002021-06-24T19:27:06.864-07:00Pakistan has a well-developed and integrated infra...Pakistan has a well-developed and integrated infrastructure for the transmission and<br />distribution of natural gas. <br /><br />https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/linked-documents/48307-001-ssa.pdf<br /><br />Its natural gas pipeline system is about 145,633 kilometers (km) long,<br />of which 134,489 km are distribution pipelines and 11,144 km are high-pressure transmission<br />lines (footnote 5). Transmission and distribution of natural gas in the northern and central<br />regions of Pakistan is undertaken by Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL)6 while<br />Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGC) covers the southern region of Pakistan where the<br />project is located (footnote 6).Riaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278279504304651957.post-47352098551630838352021-06-24T19:04:58.575-07:002021-06-24T19:04:58.575-07:00PARCO OIL PIPELINE NETWORK in PAKISTAN:
https://w...PARCO OIL PIPELINE NETWORK in PAKISTAN:<br /><br />https://www.parco.com.pk/our-business/transportation/pipeline-network/<br /><br />PARCO’s cross-country network of pipelines, including those of its subsidiary – PAPCO, starts from Karachi and goes up to Machhike near Lahore, covering over 2000 kilometres. These pipelines have played a major contribution in protecting the environment of our country and reducing congestion on the roads by substituting thousands of tank lorries. As this silent river of fluid energy flowing underground, much of the noise, fatalities and pollution on the surface, thefts and contamination of the product have become a thing of the past.<br /><br />KARACHI-MAHMOODKOT (KMK) PIPELINE<br />The 870-km Karachi-Mahmoodkot (KMK) Pipeline, commissioned in 1981, transports crude from Karachi to Mahmoodkot near Multan for its Mid Country Refinery. Its initial annual pumping capacity of 2.9 million tons has been upgraded and KMK is now capable of pumping up to 6 million tons per year.<br /><br />MAHMOODKOT- FAISALABAD–MACHHIKE (MFM) PIPELINE<br />PARCO commissioned 362-km Mahmoodkot- Faisalabad–Machhike (MFM) Pipeline, in 1997 to transport refined products like diesel and kerosene to Faisalabad and Machhike near Lahore. MFM has designed pumping capacity of approximately 3.7 million tons per year.<br /><br />WHITE OIL PIPELINE<br />The US$ 480 million, White Oil Pipeline is the mega infrastructure project owned by Pak Arab Pipeline Company Limited (PAPCO). After conversion of PARCO’s existing pipeline network for Crude Oil transportation, the White Oil Pipeline (WOP) is catering to transport diesel to the central regions of Pakistan; which account for almost 60% of the total Petroleum consumption in the country.<br /><br />For the implementation of the 786 km White Oil Pipeline Project (WOPP) from Karachi to Mahmoodkot, a joint venture company, Pak-Arab Pipeline Company Ltd. (PAPCO) was created. PARCO holds a 51% majority share in PAPCO while Shell, PSO and TOTAL PARCO Marketing Limited hold 26%, 12% and 11% shares in equity respectively. The 26” dia White Oil Pipeline is designed for a capacity of 12 million tons per year, starting with 5 million tons in the initial years.<br /><br />KORANGI-PORT QASIM LINK (KPLP) PIPELINE<br />The 22-km Korangi-Port Qasim Link (KPLP) Pipeline was laid by PAPCO, linking PARCO’s Korangi station with PAPCO’s Port Qasim station was commissioned in 2006. This tactical link has connected both the Karachi ports (Keamari & Port Qasim) with PARCO & PAPCO pipeline systems, providing flexibility in pipeline operations to receive crude as well as product from either port.<br /><br />PARCO’s Pipeline System includes a network of highly sophisticated Telecommunication facilities and a comprehensive Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) System.<br /><br />PARCO’s pipeline network is a critical and efficient life support system for the Central and Northern areas of the country. In addition to its strategic nature, it is contributing to the national exchequer not only through payment of attractive dividends, taxes and import duties but also by delivering major savings in freight expenses.Riaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278279504304651957.post-35032742565484729432021-04-12T10:22:48.848-07:002021-04-12T10:22:48.848-07:00Pakistan’s road network comprises of Motorways, Na...Pakistan’s road network comprises of Motorways, National Highways, Expressways, Strategic<br />Roads, Provincial / District Roads and Farm to Market Roads as well as urban roads.<br />The entire road network has a length of more than 260,000 km with present road<br />density of 0.32 km per sq. km.<br />The urban roads are linked with district and provincial road which terminate at National<br />Highways hence form a complete highway network for inter and intra country<br />movement. Road transport presently dominates Pakistan’s transport system carries<br />about 90% passenger traffic and 95% of freight traffic. Pakistan’s National Highways<br />are differentiated in terms of North South and East West Corridors providing connectivity to the<br />population, divided into two parts by River Indus which flows through the center of country<br /><br /><br />https://www.piarc.org/ressources/documents/1217,Pakistan-Profile.pdfRiaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278279504304651957.post-24149962338780875612021-04-03T10:42:23.615-07:002021-04-03T10:42:23.615-07:00Pakistan is ranked at 95 among 167 countries on th...Pakistan is ranked at 95 among 167 countries on the aggregated Logistic Performance Index (LPI), trailing behind a number of Asian countries due to lack of spending on infrastructure projects including airports and highways.<br /><br />https://propakistani.pk/2019/07/24/pakistan-ranks-among-the-worst-in-logistic-performance-index/<br /><br />India is at 35th position while Sri Lanka stands at 92nd place in the list. Regional countries including Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines are far ahead of Pakistan, according to a report published by the State Bank of Pakistan.<br /><br />Where’s CPEC?<br />Luckily, Pakistan’s performance on the infrastructure component of the LPI is likely to improve, particularly in the wake of CPEC-related development of roads, railways, and the Gwadar port. In addition, CPEC is also expected to boost the prospects of the shipping industry, and forward-thinking investors are reportedly keen to explore such opportunities.<br /><br />Why Logistics Sector Holds Great Value?<br />A more concerted policy focus is required to tackle the shortcomings reflected in other LPI components. These can be viewed as a subset of the ease of doing business, and may thus be added to the agenda items that the country is looking to address in order to attract more FDI and boost exports.<br /><br />The efficient logistics lie at the heart of competitiveness, both at the firm and country level. They enable firms to connect with domestic and international markets and affect a country’s prospects of integration within global value chains.<br /><br /><br />Logistics impact trade, job creation, and economic development. Given its importance, there is a need to track logistics performance and take corrective action as needed.<br /><br />The Criteria<br />To this end, the World Bank’s LPI serves as a benchmarking tool that scores and ranks logistics performance. The index can be further categorized into 6 distinct components, namely:<br /><br />International shipments: The ease of arranging competitively priced international shipments<br />Logistics competence: The competence and quality of logistics services<br />Infrastructure: The quality of trade and transport-related infrastructure (for example, ports, roads, railroads, information technology)<br />Customs: The efficiency of customs and border management<br />Timeliness: The frequency with which shipments reach consignees within the scheduled or the expected delivery time<br />Tracking and tracing: The ability to track and trace consignments<br />World Bank’s aggregated LPI 2012-2018 provides a composite, weighted score and ranking based on four surveys, which minimizes random variations across individual surveys and facilitates comparison across 167 countries.<br /><br />Moreover, the six components reveal that Pakistan’s weaknesses are broad-based. In four out of six components, Pakistan’s ranking ranges between 100 and 112. In fact, the country ranks last on the ‘Tracking and tracing’ component compared to selected South Asian countries.<br /><br />Riaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278279504304651957.post-66221702155152810112021-04-03T09:15:45.705-07:002021-04-03T09:15:45.705-07:00Pakistan Logistics Industry to 2020 - $30.77 Billi...Pakistan Logistics Industry to 2020 - $30.77 Billion Outlook and Growth Opportunities - Research and Markets | Business Wire<br /><br /><br />https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160921005655/en/Pakistan-Logistics-Industry-to-2020---30.77-Billion-Outlook-and-Growth-Opportunities---Research-and-Markets<br /><br />Pakistan Vision 2025 seeks to enhance the national transportation infrastructure by establishing an efficient and integrated transportation and logistics system. Establishing industrial parks and developing SEZs along the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will strengthen the transportation network and logistics infrastructure. Road freight transportation contributed over 90% of the goods transported by land.<br /><br />Rail freight is likely to gain share due to modernization and expansion. High priority is given to road network development. Private sector participation in logistics infrastructure development is likely to gain momentum, and transportation and warehousing are likely to lead logistics industry growth during 2016-2020.<br /><br />The potential opportunities in the logistics industry in Pakistan, is estimated at approximately US $ 30.77 billion in 2015. Key targets set in the national development initiatives for the transportation sector include reduction in transportation costs, effective connectivity between rural areas and urban centres, inter-provincial high-speed connectivity. Also high priority is given for the development of integrated road/rail networks between economic hubs (including air, sea and dry ports) and high capacity transportation corridors connecting with major regional trading partners.<br /><br />Up-gradation of all major airports to trans-shipment hubs, development of cargo villages, modernization of rail transport, E-commerce, CPEC related investments in industrial centres and Special Economic Zones (SEZs) will serve as primary macro drivers for logistics sector growth. CPEC related projects intend to upgrade and modernize road transport and related logistics infrastructure such as logistics park and establishment of cargo villages at major airports. Hence, high priority is given for road network development; private sector participation in logistics infrastructure development is likely to gain momentum.<br /><br />Storage and Warehousing demand from CPEC related industrial corridors are likely to derive increased storage and warehousing requirements including cold chain logistics, establishment of Cargo Villages Ports will facilitate goods traffic to central Asian countries and evolve as a major transhipment hub in the region.Riaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278279504304651957.post-15069363299624872052019-11-24T18:01:01.415-08:002019-11-24T18:01:01.415-08:00Bankability of the Transport Sector by Karandaaz
...Bankability of the Transport Sector by Karandaaz<br /><br />https://karandaaz.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Bankability-of-the-Transport-Sector-2-1.pdf<br /><br />Executive Summary:<br /><br />1. The Transport, Logistics and Communications (TLC) sector is estimated to have contributed 13.3% of GDP in 2016-17. Of this, more than 62% was contributed by the road transport sector. In 2014-15 the sector employed 3.1 million people.<br /><br />2. Most traffic intensive routes are a) Karachi to Peshawar via Hyderabad-Multan-Faisalabad-Rawalpindi; b) Sukkur to Quetta; c) Karachi to Quetta via the RCD Highway; and d) N-5 National Highway segment of Multan-Lahore-Gujranwala-Rawalpindi.<br /><br />3. Passengers and freight are the primary segments of road transport sector. The fastest growing freight segment is the delivery vans at 7.5% annually, while for the passenger segment it is motor cabs and taxis at 5.9% annually.<br /><br />4. Road transport grew at an average rate of 6.2% annually between 1991 and 2016, faster than the average GDP growth rate 4.4% during this period. China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is expected to accelerate transport sect or growth with construction of roads and other transport infrastructure.<br /><br />5. Freight transport sector is highly lucrative with profit margins ranging from 21% for large trucks to 43% for rickshaws. Passenger transport sector is even more lucrative with 30% profit margin for wagons to 50% for luxury buses.Riaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278279504304651957.post-47248070382439360232019-07-24T11:49:10.115-07:002019-07-24T11:49:10.115-07:00#Pakistan's M5 #Motorway, the largest transpor...#Pakistan's M5 #Motorway, the largest transport infrastructure project under #CPEC, completed. 392-km Sukkur-Multan 6-Lane Motorway is part of 1,100 km 6-lane #Peshawar-#Karachi Motorway. Construction of 296 km Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway will complete it. http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-07/24/c_138253492.htm<br /><br />The construction of the 392-km Sukkur-Multan Motorway under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has been completed after the National Highway Authority (NHA) on Tuesday presented a substantial completion certification to the constructor China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC).<br /><br />The motorway, which is known as M5 in Pakistan and the largest transportation infrastructure project under CPEC, is a part of the country's Peshawar-Karachi Motorway and was completed two weeks ahead of contract due date. The M5 was designed for speeds of up to 120 kmh with a total investment around 2.89 billion U.S. dollars.<br /><br />NHA M5 General Manager Muhammad Naseem Arif said during a ceremony held in Multan that the motorway is very impressive in terms of its quality and construction process, adding that the authority closely worked with the CSCEC and overcame a number of difficulties so that they could complete the great project within three years.<br /><br />Li Ganchun, chief of the M5 project from the CSCEC, appreciated the security provided by the Pakistani side, saying that the M5 will help Pakistan connect its north and south, improve the country's transportation situation and facilitate social economic development in the region along the motorway.<br /><br />According to the CSCEC, the M5 project had created some 29,000 jobs for the locals during the construction. The Chinese constructor also built schools, roads, bridges, wells and water channel for the locals to make their lives more convenient.<br /><br />The motorway is expected to open to traffic in August.Riaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278279504304651957.post-26343441288012077242019-07-08T09:36:23.311-07:002019-07-08T09:36:23.311-07:00Sialkot-Lahore Motorway To Be Completed In Current...Sialkot-Lahore Motorway To Be Completed In Current Year: DC<br /><br />https://www.urdupoint.com/en/pakistan/sialkot-lahore-motorway-to-be-completed-in-cu-662541.html<br /><br /><br />Deputy Commissioner Dr Syed Bilal Haider on Friday said that the Sialkot-Lahore Motorway project would be completed till the end of 2019.<br />He said that Rs 43.85 billion would be spent on the project of 91.2Km long motorway which will reduce travelling time between Sialkot to Lahore.<br /><br />He added that it would be a four-lane motorway with seven inter-changes at Kala Shah Kaku, Muridkey, Narowal, Gujranwala, Pasrur, Daska and Sambrial.<br /><br />Earlier, a meeting of officials of the National Highway Authority (NHA) and the Frontier Works Organization (FWO) was held at the DC's Office here to review construction of the project while DC Dr Syed Bilal Haider presided over the meeting.<br /><br />The NHA and FWO officials told the meeting that construction work on Sialkot-Lahore Motorway's four different sections, namely Kala Shah Kaku to Muridkey Sction (21Km), Muridkey to Narowal Section (25Km), Narowal to Pasrur Section (20Km) and Pasrur to Sambrial Section (20Km) was briskly under way.Riaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278279504304651957.post-19455327205894493012019-01-21T19:45:47.835-08:002019-01-21T19:45:47.835-08:00#CPEC-funded 1,152 kilometers long two-way six-lan...#CPEC-funded 1,152 kilometers long two-way six-lane road valued at $2.889 billion #Multan-#Sukkur M5 #Motorway 83% complete. Expected to be operational by August 2019. #China #Pakistan - Profit by Pakistan Today https://profit.pakistantoday.com.pk/2019/01/17/cpec-funded-multan-sukkur-motorway-to-be-operational-by-august/#.XEaP-OdJqQc.twitter<br /><br />The China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)-funded Multan-Sukkur motorway is likely to be opened for traffic by August this year as work on the project is in progress according to the set schedule, a senior official of National Highway Authority said on Thursday.<br /><br />“At present, 83 per cent of the total work has been completed, out of which 392-kilometer-long roadbed and culvert passage, as well as other structures, already been completed,” the official added while talking to APP.<br /><br />He said up till now, all the bridges have been completed, while asphalt pavement works are advancing at full speed, whereas building construction and ancillary works are also being implemented actively.<br /><br />The Multan-Sukkur Motorway is part of the Peshawar-Karachi Motorway, which is also known as the eastern route of CPEC. “This route starts from Karachi via Hyderabad, Sukkur, Multan, Islamabad, Lahore and other cities, and ends in Peshawar with a total length of 1,152 kilometers,” he added.<br /><br /><br /> <br />Sukkur-Multan motorway has a design speed of 120km per hour, and it is a two-way six-lane road with a contractual value of $2.889 billion (excluding $180 million tax exemption).<br /><br />The Export-Import Bank of China provided loan support while China State Construction Company Limited (CSCEC) is responsible for construction on Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) basis.<br /><br />With a contract period of 36 months (including design period of four months), the project officially started on August 5, 2016.<br /><br />Meanwhile, the official said Lahore-Abdul Hakeem section of M-3 would be opened for traffic by February 15. He said that all physical work of this section had already been completed but due to some technical issues, such as delay in approval for deployment of motorway police on the section, the motorway could not be opened yet.<br /><br />Similarly, the official informed that the Gojra-Shorkot section of Faisalabad-Multan motorway had also be nearly completed and it would be opened for traffic by next month.<br /><br />Zafar Hayat, Project Director for Shorkot-Dinpur section of M-4, told APP that work on the 34km section has been completed and it would also be opened for traffic by next month.<br /><br />He said this section is being built at a cost of Rs11,220 million and the project is funded by Asian Development Bank (ADB).<br /><br />“Work on the 31km Dinpur-Khanewal section is in progress and would be completed soon,” he added.Riaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278279504304651957.post-67316766682677321942018-10-16T11:30:34.750-07:002018-10-16T11:30:34.750-07:00China strengthens its grip on south Asia By: Ellio...China strengthens its grip on south Asia By: Elliot Wilson Published on<br /><br /><br />@ 2018 Results index If the Belt and Road Initiative has a blind spot, it is surely to be found in south Asia. The region is home to one country that can’t get enough of the project (Pakistan), and another (India) that wants nothing to do with it. Does this matter? Well, yes and no. On the plus side, Pakistan, which is chronically short of friends and capital, shows no sign of falling out of love with a project that continues to shower it with financial largesse. The list of Chinese-funded and Chinese-built infrastructure projects is long and impressive. Take the $2.9 billion, 400-kilometre stretch of the M5 Motorway funded by China Development Bank (CDB) and built by China State Construction Engineering. When the motorway is completed later this year, the cities of Karachi and Lahore will finally be linked, by a project that was first drawn up as long ago as the 1990s. CDB is the financial driving force behind many of the big local BRI deals. In December 2017, the policy bank was a key player in a 10-year, $700 million syndicated term loan raised for the finance ministry, a deal that included partial guarantees from the World Bank. It is funding an $883 million coal-fired power plant at Port Qasim. And in April, CDB shelled out $1 billion to a government that, not for the first time, faces a looming financing crisis. Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves dipped below the $10 billion mark this July, for the first time since 2014. China is unlikely to turn off the spigot, even though the position of prime minister, vacated after the arrest of Nawaz Sharif in July, has been filled by Imran Khan, the former cricketer who campaigned hard against alleged corruption in local China-backed construction projects. Yet Beijing is clearly keen to keep Khan on-side: days after his election, it handed Pakistan another $2 billion, bolstering the perception that however bad its finances get, China will not turn its back on the south Asian state. That should come as no surprise. Beijing plans to spend up to $57 billion by 2030 on a profusion of new domestic infrastructure projects – ports, airports, highways, power plants, transmission lines, solar parks – which are all part of the so-called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Both can see clearly what they get out of this transactional alliance: for China, a reliable overland route to the Indian Ocean that bypasses the Malacca Strait, and for Pakistan, the infrastructure it always wanted and needed, but couldn’t afford. And so we turn to India, which has, to say the least, a different relationship with its giant neighbour. It was a founding member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank in 2014, and is the second-largest contributor after the People’s Republic, funding the China-led multilateral to the tune of $8.4 billion. It is also a founding member of another multilateral, the Shanghai-headquartered New Development Bank, which is chaired by KV Kamath, the former chairman of Indian IT firm Infosys. Yet India adamantly refuses to be considered a belt-and-road nation. Rafiqul Islam At a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in June, India was the only member state that did not tacitly endorse the BRI programme. New Delhi resents the mere existence of the CPEC project with Pakistan, and fears being outflanked in its own backyard by Beijing, which is funding a series of massive infrastructure projects in states that border India, or are historically aligned with it. The question arises: does India need to be part of the BRI project? <br /><br />Full article: https://www.euromoney.com/article/b19zv4qt994gg1/china-strengthens-its-grip-on-south-asia?copyrightInfo=true<br />Visit http://www.euromoney.com/reprints for additional distribution rights. For more articles like this, follow us @euromoney on Twitter.Riaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278279504304651957.post-21119690612137168592018-06-06T07:32:04.857-07:002018-06-06T07:32:04.857-07:00A tale of two systems: urban development in China ...A tale of two systems: urban development in China and India<br /><br />https://www.ft.com/content/a00a3312-5913-11e8-806a-808d194ffb75<br /><br /><br />On paper, India’s transport infrastructure is on a par with China’s. Yet anyone who has travelled to both countries can tell you there remains a vast gap between them.<br /><br />India’s road and rail networks are only slightly shorter than China’s. But far more of the latter’s roads are multi-lane paved highways, compared with single-lane dirt tracks, and China’s bullet trains outclass India’s lumbering locomotives on virtually every metric.<br /><br />The comparison between the world’s two most populous countries and their approach to building and maintaining cities and infrastructure is irresistible, especially since China has outpaced India so comprehensively over the past few decades. While the countries’ economies were roughly the same size as recently as 1980, China’s gross domestic product is now four and a half times the size of India’s.<br /><br />In India, even politically important projects such as the “golden quadrilateral” highway network connecting the country’s four major metropolitan centres of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata have been hampered by chronic delays and obstacles.<br /><br />In 1999, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee broke ground on the road project, which had a projected completion date of 2006. But the highways were not opened to traffic until 2012 and to this day upgrades and extensions remain bogged down by legal challenges, funding shortfalls and the inability to acquire land.<br /><br />By contrast, China is already halfway through a three-decade, $300bn expansion of its motorway system that will connect all Chinese cities with a population of more than 200,000 people.<br /><br />The scale of the country’s road-building frenzy is matched by the creation of hundreds of new cities and the world’s longest high-speed rail network. All of this construction is reflected in the incredible scale of Chinese cement production. China accounts for about 60 per cent of total global cement production and in just five years from 2012 China produced nearly three times as much cement as the US did in the entire 20th century.<br /><br />India is on track to build 100 new cities of its own and add roughly 300m people to its population by 2050. Yet although it is now the second-largest producer of cement in the world, India’s annual output is only about a 10th of China’s.<br /><br />Riaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278279504304651957.post-37795000070653763072017-04-26T22:24:22.243-07:002017-04-26T22:24:22.243-07:00#Pakistan to set up #infrastructure bank with $1 b...#Pakistan to set up #infrastructure bank with $1 billion capital to finance private sector development. #IMF #IFC<br /><br />https://tribune.com.pk/story/1394404/pakistan-set-1b-infrastructure-bank/<br /><br />Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has announced that the government will set up Pakistan Infrastructure Bank with a paid-up capital of $1 billion, which will give financing to private investors for development projects.<br /><br />Pakistan government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) would have 20% shares each in the bank and the rest would be held by global organisations such as the International Finance Corporation, he said.<br /><br />AJK plans tourism corridor along CPEC<br />He was speaking at a briefing held for the Pakistani media towards the end of his visit to Washington DC during which he attended spring meetings of the IMF and the World Bank.<br /><br />Dar also revealed that the government would soon be launching Pakistan Development Fund (PDF) and its shares worth Rs100 billion would be offered to Pakistani diaspora in order to channelise their remittances effectively.<br /><br />Later, these shares will be listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange. “After the success of Sukuk (Islamic bonds), the PDF will be another attractive investment for overseas Pakistanis,” he remarked.<br /><br />Giving a detailed round-up on the plenary sessions with the IMF and World Bank, the minister said there was positive sentiment about the tremendous economic rebound experienced by Pakistan over the last four years.<br /><br />“Pakistan was on the verge of bankruptcy in 2014 and today it is likely to achieve approximately 5% growth during the current financial year,” he said. “Both IMF and World Bank are on the same page with the Pakistani government in these projections.”<br /><br />Promotion of it: Work on innovation centres begins<br /><br />Global credit rating agencies have upgraded the rating of Pakistan from negative to stable and from stable to positive in the last four years to an extent that the country is likely to be included in G-20 countries by 2030.Riaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278279504304651957.post-77801632106733695192017-01-23T22:56:05.103-08:002017-01-23T22:56:05.103-08:00BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) becoming popular mode...BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) becoming popular mode of road construction in Pakistan<br /><br />https://www.app.com.pk/bot-becoming-popular-mode-of-road-construction-in-pakistan-2/<br /><br />ISLAMABAD, Jan 14 (APP): National Highway Authority (NHA) has been focusing on Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) projects to involve private sector in highway building projects as the present government wants to upgrade road infrastructure in the next five to seven years.<br />The government wants to double the road density till 2025 and this mammoth development goal can only be achieved with the support of private sector, an official of National Highway Authority ( NHA ) told APP on Saturday . He said that public private partnership is becoming an essential component of NHA development strategy.The objectives set by NHA,he said, include development,off-budget financing, efficiency, investment, sustainability and revenues generation.<br />Re-carpeting and renovation work of Islamabad-Lahore Motorway (M2) completed recently is one of the big achievements of NHA on BOT basis, he added.<br />The total cost of the project was Rs30.935 billion, which includes renovation of toll plazas, weigh stations workshops, as well and the total recarpetted and renovated length is 714kms.<br />Renovation and overlay work on the M-2 had started in January 2015 by MORE (FWO), the build operate transfer (BOT) concessionaire of the project.M-2 was handed over to FWO on December 15, 2014 for operation and maintenance for the next 20 years.<br />He said another major under-construction BOT project of NHA was 136 km Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway (M-9) which connects Karachi to Hyderabad and would cost about Rs. 24 Billion. The project work started on March 16,2015 and will be completed by December 2017. Its 80 km portion would be opened for traffic within a week time.<br />Among the upcoming BOT projects, he said construction work of 296 km Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway is likely to start soon . The project would be executed on BOT basis and its estimated cost is over Rs 160 billion.<br />The motorway project starting from Sukkur will touch Khairpur, Nowshehro Feroze, Nawab Shah, Mitiari, Hala and Jamshoro and terminate at Hyderabad.<br />About 90-kilometre Sialkot-Lahore Motorway would cost Rs 56 billion and will be built on BOT basis and it would be completed in three years. The proposed motorway project would help link remote areas with big cities and reduce the distance between Sialkot and Lahore.<br />Starting from Sahowala-Sambrial,the motorway will end at Kala Shah Kaku via Daska, Gujranwala and Kamonki.<br />Moreover the NHA plans to undertake the up gradation and dualization of Multan-Muzaffargarh-D.G. Khan Section of Multan-Qilla Saifullah Highway (N-70) on BOT basis.<br />The NHA invited bids for undertaking upgradation and dualization<br />of the section and a Concession Agreement has been finalized, the official informed.<br />The Concession Agreement has been signed, and the construction work shall be commenced after achievement of Financial Close by the Concessionaire. He said that the project construction period will be 24 months from achievement of financial close.<br />The existing 20 km of Tarnol-Taxila section of Grand Trunk Road (N-5) would be improved and widened to provide a fast track facility of international standard is among the BOT Projects at Procurement Stage. Scope of work also includes a flyover at Tarnol railway crossing. Concession agreement is at negotiation stage.<br />About 111-kilometre four-lane Pindi Bhattian-Faisalabad Motorway (M-3) and Faisalabad-Gojra Section of Faisalabad-Multan Motorway (M-4) would be converted into a 6 lane facility and overlay on existing 4-lanes would also be done.Land and 6-lane structures are of the project are already available.<br />Yet another upcoming BOT project is 32 km existing 2-lane Tarnol-Fatehjang section of Rawalpindi-Kohat Highway which would be converted into a 4- lane, divided highway and the project is at preparation stage. <br />Riaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278279504304651957.post-45294467330684344232017-01-23T22:42:12.385-08:002017-01-23T22:42:12.385-08:00Renovation of M2 to be completed by May 2016
Re-c...Renovation of M2 to be completed by May 2016<br /><br />Re-carpeting and renovation work of Islamabad-Lahore Motorway (M2), scheduled to be completed by December this year, would be completed by much ahead of time by the end of next month.<br /><br />Talking to APP on Thursday, an official source said that the work is in full swing and it would be completed by May or June.<br /><br />The total cost of the project is Rs30.935 billion, which includes renovation of toll plazas weigh stations workshops, as well and the total length of the M2 being recarpeted is 714kms. An official of the National Highway Authority (NHA) said the expenditures incurred on re-carpeting of the M2 were made from the revenue generated through toll tax; therefore, no expenditure is made from other development heads of the NHA.<br /><br />Renovation and overlay work on the M2 had started in January last year by MORE (FWO) the build operate transfer (BOT) concessionaire of the project.<br /><br />M2 was handed over to FWO on December 15, 2014 for operation and maintenance for the next 20 years.<br /><br />Signing ceremony of the BOT agreement between the NHA and the Frontier Works Organization (FWO) for redesigning and beautification of Lahore-Islamabad Motorway (M2) was held in April 2014. He said that the overlaying fencing beautification of the road would make travel along it all the more a wonderful experience.<br /><br />The government is not seeking any loans from abroad for the construction of the road, he said.<br /><br />On the contrary, the FWO would pay an amount of Rs206 billion to the government of Pakistan over the agreement period, besides looking after the road.<br /><br />https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/114349-Renovation-of-M2-to-be-completed-by-May#Riaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.com