September 27, 2008	Saturday	Ramazan 26, 1429

KARACHI, Sept 26: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has directed the National Highway Authority (NHA) to complete the unfinished Lyari Expressway at the earliest.

“This Rs13 billion project should be completed and all issues hindering its completion should be resolved on a priority basis,” the prime minister said.

He was chairing a high-level meeting here at the Governor’s House on Friday afternoon, which reviewed the ongoing and future projects of the NHA including the Lyari Expressway, Super Highway, National Highway, bridges on the Indus River and connected roads, being undertaken in Sindh.

He said that money spent on the project would be wasted if it is left unfinished. Mr Gilani said he was concerned why the Lyari Expressway was still unfinished when 80 per cent of the work had been completed.

“The project should not be left unfinished due to the mistakes of the past because the ultimate sufferers are the people of Pakistan,” he said.

Earlier, the NHA chairman informed the prime minister that one carriageway of the expressway was completed while the second was unfinished due to encroachment at two places.

He further apprised the Mr Gilani that the request was pending with the planning commission to allow enhancement in the cost of resettlement of remaining portion of the expressway.

“We need land for the resettlement of 3,000 families who will be shifted from the encroached land to get the right of way,” he added.

He also briefed the prime minister about the National Highway improvement programme, costing Rs104 billion.

Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad, Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Minister for Works and Communications Manzoor Wassan, City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal and senior officials were present at the meeting.

Saeedabad operation

Mr Gilani appreciated the role of intelligence agencies and the Sindh police and praised those who participated in the operation against alleged terrorists hiding in a house in Baldia Town.

He further praised the pre-emptive action of the police, due to which the suspected terrorists were killed without causing collateral damage.

The prime minister, lauding the capabilities of the police and intelligence agencies, said if the law enforcing/intelligence agencies are vigilant and proactive, then tragic incidents such as the recent blast in Islamabad could be avoided.

The prime minister, soon after his arrival in Karachi, had asked for the details about the Baldia Town incident.

The Sindh chief secretary and inspector-general police briefed Mr Gilani about the details of the operation. The Sindh governor and chief minister were also present.

The prime minister was informed that the police had arrested a high-profile target last night.—APP