03 May 2004	Monday	12 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425

KARACHI, May 2: Pakistan has signed an agreement with the Asian Road Network for constructing an international road network to connect the country with 26 other countries, Federal Communication Minister Babar Khan Ghouri said on Sunday.

He was speaking at the foundation-stone-laying ceremony of 'dualization' of the National Highway, from Pakistan Steel Mills to Sassi Bridge, Ghagar Gate, 13-kilometre-long, 4-lane carriageway, to be constructed in 18 months at a cost of Rs289.85 million.

He informed the participants of the ceremony that the agreement, signed last week, would help transform the country into a developed state. The project would also result in construction of internal links of international standards across the country, which could be extended to the international network, he added.

He said the dual carriage project was a part of the Karachi-Hyderabad Highway Dual Carriage plan and was expected to accelerate economic activity in the area, as it would help provide fast means of communication, besides making Port Qasim and Pakistan Steel Mills easily accessible.

He said the government was paying special attention to the construction of roads in Sindh, especially in the city, to improve means of transport and promote economic activities. He said Ghagar gate overhead bridge had already been opened for the traffic and the work for widening of Shahra-e-Daruloom had been initiated. -APP