ISLAMABAD, Oct 28: National Highway Authority officials on Sunday reviewed progress on construction of Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway (M-1) and Pindi Bhattian-Faisalabad Motorway (M-3).

Federal Communications and Railways Minister Lt-Gen (R) Javed Ashraf Qazi presided over the meeting.

The communications secretary Iftikhar Rashid was also present on the occasion. NHA chairman Maj-Gen Tariq Javed gave a detailed briefing.

The NHA chairman-designate Maj-Gen Farrukh Javed, the ministry’s joint secretary, Ashraf Hayat and senior officers attended the meeting.

Speaking at the meeting Lt-Gen (R) Javed Ashraf Qazi said, the highways played key role in socio-economic development. Keeping in view the importance of communications the government desired earlier completion of highways projects so that economic activities could be expanded and speeded up.

He said, steps were under way for earlier resumption of construction work on Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway (M-1) and Pindi Bhattian-Faisalabad Motorway (M-3).

Mr Qazi said, Pakistan was rich in experienced highway construction experts and we desired to have advantage from the capabilities of national experts and engineers for construction of motorways which would help make country self-reliant in the field of construction.

He said, the remaining work of M-1 would be completed by the local companies and the projects had been divided into various sections/packages.

The minister said, steps were also being taken for restart of construction activity on Pindi Bhattian-Faisalabad Motorway. He said, Rs1 billion have been allocated for M-3 in PSDP 2001-2002. He said, the latest construction techniques should be employed and maximum benefit be taken from latest developments for construction of the motorways.

He hoped that the new NHA chairman Maj-Gen Farrukh Javed, would undertake concrete steps for timely completion of highways projects all over the country.

The communications secretary said, it was encouraging that the national talent would be utilized during construction of M-1 and M-3 and national experts and engineers will avail opportunity to participate in national development projects.—APP