November 20, 2008	Thursday	Ziqa'ad 21, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Nov 19: Pakistan has sought from friendly countries $25 billion investments for projects ranging from big and small dams to development of Fata and madressah reforms.

The Planning Commission has submitted a report containing details of the projects at a recent technical-level meeting held in Abu Dhabi with the Friends of Pakistan group.

After securing the $7.6 billion loan from the IMF, Pakistan is now in a position to attract investments from the group which includes the UAE, Saudi Arabia, China the United States.

The report released here on Wednesday indicates Pakistan is seeking $4.75 billion for major projects -- $2.6 billion for Bhasha-Diamer dam, $1.150 billion for Munda dam and $1 billion for Thar coal development.

An estimated $1.452 billion will be required for building small dams in the four provinces -- $147 million for eight dams in Punjab, $672 million for eight dams in Balochistan, $221 million for seven dams in Sindh and $412 million for nine dams in the NWFP.

An investment of $646.1 million has been sought for surface, sprinkler and drip irrigation. An estimated $9 billion will be spent on national trade corridor involving construction of 3,000km roads.

The government has sought $1.163 billion for construction of highways. Out of these, $250 million is for construction of 18km-long elevated highway (Rawalpindi flyover), $125 million for Chakdara-Dir-Chitral (120km) road; $200 million for realignment of Karakoram Highway, $238 million for upgradation of 258km long segment of road to 7.3m width carriageway for Bhasha dam, $50 million for Charo-Keti Bander road and $300 million for connectivity of the Gwadar port.

An amount of $2 billion is required for special agricultural projects, including value-addition, research, farm forestry and foodgrain storage.

The friends’ help has also been sought for initiating free trade agreements with the EU, US, Russia and other countries. A joint study group has been set up to explore the possibility of an FTA with Japan.

Pakistan has sought $750 million for madressah reforms. The fund will be utilised for bringing madressahs on a par with the formal education sector and for training khatibs and ulema.

An amount of $1.126 billion has been estimated for improving basic and college education. Of these, $250 million is for elementary, $188 million for basic education and community schools, $188 million for secondary, $250 million for higher secondary and $250 million for technical education.

An investment of $2.073 billion has been sought for establishment of universities of engineering, science and technology from China, Germany, Austria and Italy.