31 October 2004	Sunday	16 Ramazan 1425

KARACHI, Oct 30: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has promised to develop Karachi to the standard of an international city. He was speaking as chief guest at the ground-breaking ceremony of the KPT's three-tier flyover at Hino Chowk on Korangi Road here on Saturday.

The premier said this important project would ease out the traffic problem and would be a boon to the dwellers of Korangi and industrialists of the Korangi Industrial Area.

He said he had been assured that alternative routes would be put in place during the construction work so that the traffic flow on this road remained smooth and people did not face any inconvenience.

The prime minister called upon the consultant and contractor of the project to make all efforts to complete the project within the stipulated time and as per the laid down quality specifications.

He reiterated the government's commitment to invest in the infrastructure of Karachi, the commercial hub of the country.

"The Karachi Package was announced by President Pervez Musharraf and the government is pursuing it diligently. Today is a step in that direction," he said.

Mr Aziz pointed out that the federal and provincial governments, as well as the Karachi city government, were putting in coordinated efforts for the provision of uninterrupted infrastructure for the 15 million dwellers and for the business, industrial and financial sectors of the metropolis.

With the initiation of such projects, thousands of job opportunities would also be created, he added.

The prime minister mentioned the bustling life and resilience of Karachi and said that the city was more important because of its being the city of the Father of the Nation Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and the commercial hub of the country.

He said it would be our effort to accord a just status to Karachi and that all the organisations would contribute towards this.

He pointed out that the KPT was also coming up with a number of projects here. The highest building in Asia would be constructed on the coast of this metropolis, he added.

"Now we are thinking of industrial estates in Karachi," the PM said, adding that more industrial plots would be made available in the city. In this connection, the federal government in collaboration with the provincial government, would take some steps.

The measures towards further industrialization would not only create more job opportunities, but also help people improve their standard of living.

The prime minister said the flyover at the Hino roundabout was no triviality. "In fact, no development project is a triviality. Countries, nations and consequently the whole life is a process of putting building blocks, one at a time to create a composite whole slowly but surely."

He pointed out that this year, Pakistan would produce more than 100,000 cars locally and 500,000 motorcycles.

He recalled that three years back, we were producing 100,000 motorcycles and this suggested how the demand was picking up and a middle class was emerging.

Shaukat Aziz observed that traffic would be a big challenge for us. These flyovers and underpasses, he added, would provide an infrastructure for Karachi to grow and rather than become a bottleneck, it would become a catalyst for the future growth.

MEGA PROJECTS: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz revealed that the federal government, along with the provincial government, had agreed to review the status of Karachi Circular Railway (KCR).

He said all concerned authorities had been directed to revamp the KCR and make it operational, he said.

"A survey in this regard is being conducted," he said, and expressed the hope, "we will have some good news soon."

He also made mention of the Lyari Expressway project, funds for which are being provided by the federal government, and said that the project would open a new artery in the centre of Karachi.

Another project, the Northern Bypass, is also moving along expeditiously while we have several other projects in the pipeline.

Highlighting the importance of Karachi, the prime minister said the city was special on many counts.

"With a population of nearly 15 million, it is the largest and the only one which qualifies for the status of a cosmopolitan city. Apart from many other specialties, it is the home of the largest port of the country. Ports are mini-cities in themselves."

Federal Minister for Port and Shipping Senator Babar Khan Ghauri described the Hino Chowk flyover as a very important project.

Referring to President Musharraf's Rs29 billion Karachi Package, he said development in this city was the progress and development of Pakistan.

He pointed out that work on the four underpasses in the metropolis had commenced and tenders for the purpose would be floated soon.

The minister spoke of the government's sincere efforts for development in Karachi, and stressed that everyone, including the private sector, should contribute to the efforts.

He also emphasized the need for all stakeholders to work as a team for the development which would strengthen the country and its economy. The benefits of development would reach the common man also, he added.

The KPT Chairman, Vice-Admiral Ahmed Hayat, presenting the welcome address, said this flyover was the second among the four to be constructed in the city at an estimated cost of Rs2.2 billion.

He said the three-tier flyover, to be constructed in 24 months, would cost Rs505 million.

Later, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz performed the ground-breaking of the project.

Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad and Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim were also present on the occasion.

POLICE LAUDED: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Saturday appreciated the performance of Sindh police in establishing law and order in the province.

Addressing a meeting of the cabinet ministers and advisers, the prime minister remarked, "the Sindh police did a good job under a difficult environment." Top provincial bureaucracy also attended the meeting held at the Chief Minister's House.

Maintaining that unless security was ensured, there would be no investment, the prime minister stressed that security played a pivotal role in promoting investment.

He asked the provincial government to continue its efforts for maintaining peaceful conditions in Sindh.

Similarly, he added, dispensation of justice also bore basic importance. "It is essential to reform the judicial system so that people are provided speedy justice," he observed.

Mr Aziz noted that the number of pending cases in courts had gone up, and said that his government was taking steps that could help minimize the delays in the disposal of cases.-APP

Our reporter adds: Informed sources said that during the meeting, the prime minister was requested to ensure that the local governments did not leave any liability before the next local government elections and complete the ongoing projects well in time. Concern was expressed over the award of new contracts as a result of which the next local government would have to bear the responsibility of clearing the predecessors' liabilities.

The prime minister was informed that the municipal bodies dissolved with the introduction of the SLGO-2001, had left the liabilities of Rs694 million although the ordinance provided that the bodies would have to clear all debts.