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KARACHI: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif arrived in Karachi on Tuesday to inaugurate the Karachi-Hyderabad (M-9) motorway on Super Highway.
According to the premier's spokesperson, Nawaz will return to Islamabad after the inauguration. He is also expected to review the law and order situation in Karachi.
After arriving in Karachi, the premier departed for Nooriabad via helicopter. Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad and chief minister of Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah were present at the inauguration along with National Highway Authority (NHA) Chairman Shahid Ashraf Tarar and Major Gen Muhammad Afzal.
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The M-9 motorway's first phase will include conversion of the Karachi–Hyderabad Superhighway to a six-lane Motorway. The second phase of the project will be the Karachi-Lahore Motorway which is scheduled to be developed from Hyderabad to Sukkur, Sukkur to Multan and from Multan to Lahore.
This project is expected to be completed in 2.5 years.
During his address at the inauguration, PM Nawaz shed light on the importance of development in Pakistan.
Also read: Anti-terror consensus provides opportunity for development: PM
"The project is close to my heart as I always wished to develop a motorway from Karachi to Lahore," the premier said. "It has always been my dream for Pakistan to have more motorways like countries abroad and have better infrastructure."
Nawaz also mentioned that due to the situation in Pakistan, the country lagged behind in development but the government's future aims are to promote more projects to improve infrastructure. He further elaborated that the government's future plan is to also commence the China-Pak corridor project and the 42-km Malir Express project which will start at the port and connect with M-9.
"We want to cover Pakistan in a web of motorways to bring the provinces closer," Nawaz added.
While talking about energy related projects, the premier said that by the end of 2017, the government will overcome the electricity shortage and put an end to load-shedding.
"Pakistan will 10,000 MW of electricity will be in Pakistan by 2017, which will be paid for through the public sector development project rather than taking loans," said Nawaz.
He further added that the government is also setting up coal based projects and use coal reserves in Tharparkar so that importing coal is so longer necessary.
While concluding his address, the premier said he hopes that during his tenure as prime minister, he hopes to not only develop a motorway from Karachi to Peshawar but to Kabul and eventually central Asia as well.
Read: PM Nawaz inaugurates international terminal at Multan airport
On Monday, PM Nawaz inaugurated the international terminal of the existing Multan Airport, enabling international travel for Multan residents who previously had to travel to Islamabad and Lahore to make an international journey.
He had said that for the country to progress, there was a need to plan ahead for at least 25 years so that the country keeps pace with the modern world.
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Mar 11, 2015 02:42pm
Excellent news. I know huge kickbacks will be involved, but at the same time this will help the common man of Pakistan - efficient means of transport also helps economy a great deal.
Much better than PPP which only loots with zero work. Still, it needs to be ensured that no corruption takes place.
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Mar 11, 2015 02:46pm
Thank You NS. what ever people say about him, if compared this man has done something at least. it doesn;t matter if he's corrupt. Even in US and UK govts are corrupt but at least they spend some on their respective countries. Up till now in our case it was 100 % corruption. Thanks to PPP, PML-Q, JUF-I, ANP etc etc.
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Mar 11, 2015 02:51pm
i thought he came to condole his friends in 90
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Mar 11, 2015 03:02pm
Inaugurations should not be attended by PM... Millions wasted on unnecessary protocol and trip... Could have been utilized to buy medicine for poor...
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Mar 11, 2015 03:03pm
Thank You Mr.Prime Minister ......... It was the job of Sindh Govt. btw
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Mar 11, 2015 03:05pm
When Rome was burning Nero was playing flute (perhaps an apocryphal story). While Krachi is burning our PM, in his usual motorway bubble, opening new mega projects involving Saif-ur Rehman.
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Mar 11, 2015 03:07pm
All he has to focus on is motorway...people die dont have basic necessities of life and all he has to do is make motorways what will people do break them and eat and use for their living Dont know when these people will realize that Pakistanis need basics like security, food, jobs shelter rather these stupid motorways.
its just like giving a poor guy a mercedes and asking him to use it when he has no means of fueling or maintaining it ...
Looser! and 100 no actually 1000% corrupt
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Mar 11, 2015 03:30pm
Common people are dying every one in terrorist attacks and army operations all over Pakistan. No one even notice how many innocent Baluch and KP people are killed in attacks.
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Mar 11, 2015 03:39pm
Isn't their already a highway. Could it not have been re furbished?
There is much more significant turn of events happening as we type and the prime minister has to be the one who inaugurates this. Local governments will be sidelined when it suits their agenda.
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Mar 11, 2015 03:56pm
PM wants planing ahead for at least 25 years so that the country keeps pace with the modern world. This means next generation of our rulers should also be announced for at least 25 years from Sharif & Bhutto families.
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Mar 11, 2015 04:14pm
Development begins with investment in education, not by building underpasses and motorways.
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Mar 11, 2015 04:29pm
There could be more Airports, Motorways, Train Services and self sufficiency in infrastructure if Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari bring back billions of dollars back to Pakistan. Army cannot do everything, there should some contribution by democrats also.
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Mar 11, 2015 04:38pm
When this world would have been shifted to Mars or some other planet then our PM would be making Islamabad to San Francisco Motoeway and CM Punjab would be making over head bridge on Atlantic Ocean. For God sake 1st of all reform this whole system in health, education, justice and law & order.
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Mar 11, 2015 04:57pm
Now pakistanis can enjoy long drives during weekends. Hmmmm.
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Mar 11, 2015 05:01pm
@Nomi:
It is good that you appreciate the current regime's infrastructural development projects, but remember that the parties you are mentioning have had their fair amount of share of such developments as well. Especially, PML-Q had its in Health and Education.
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Mar 11, 2015 05:03pm
Why can the govt sort first the power problem, corruption problems, Jobs problems and law & order problems !!!
Thank you NS
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Mar 11, 2015 05:11pm
what do we get out of this motorway. i more often travell to hyderabad and upcountry with very little trouble if there is any.
however, when i see more around 20 millions childrens far from their basic right of education i cud not develop any hope for the future.
lets invest on your peoples lest on these roads which , at someday, might provide more ease for the outside invaders.
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Mar 11, 2015 05:23pm
@Kamran You say in same breath that 'huge kickbaks are involved' and 'it needs to be ensured that no corruption takes place'.
Kindly, help me understand your logic.
Building infrastructure is good, but government's priorities are wrong. 4.1 million people are without toilets, 5 million children out of school, health and education services almost non-existence, huge law and order problems and so on.
Whats more important, spending billions on highways or using this money to invest in human capital?
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Mar 11, 2015 05:24pm
@Ameen Chilwan Really where in education health. Can you please elaborate.
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Mar 11, 2015 05:31pm
@SMAZ
Read up on the benefits of infrastructure, and only then you will appreciate the advantages of making these motorways which are essential for a strong economy.
In few words: Motorways create jobs such manual labour Jobs. These are taken by some of the poorest people in the country. With job comes an income, with the income, one can buy food.
In terms of security, it cannot be resolved over night. Zarb-e-Zab is still under way. Terrorist attacks in Pakistan have reduced significantly, especially when you compare it with a few years ago.
See the cup as half full.
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Mar 11, 2015 05:37pm
good news on the inauguration. Good news on future planning of mega infrastructure projects. Bad news on the security situation of Karachi and the lawlessness spread throughout the country. Let's tackle that immediately Mr. Sharif!
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Mar 11, 2015 05:41pm
Good work Govt of Pakistan. May Allah have mercy on our Govt. May Allah forgive their sins.
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Mar 11, 2015 05:41pm
USA is world supper power in all fields because they have 43 out 100 top universities in the world and our PM,s focus is just Motorways from 1990 to till now.
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Mar 11, 2015 05:46pm
@Anarchist , this is also important and honestly a good project but metros are all wasre of money
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Mar 11, 2015 05:53pm
Honestly does this guy know anything else besides motorways? How about inaugurating a university? Creating a national car? A new industry? Fixing wapda, railways, PIA? Enhancing police? Reducing government spending? Bettering healthcare? Nope new motorway oh look another motorway!
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Mar 11, 2015 06:06pm
Another nice and necessary step, better infrastructure is a milestonw towards prosperity and investment, unfortunately Pakistan has poor infrastructure and very limited facilities (on rail,road and air) as compared to our neighbors specially India who has converted its 19 cities into Mega Metropolitans...eg Delhi metro worth 6 Bill $,
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Mar 11, 2015 06:21pm
On papers Super highway is already declared as a Motor Way but its condition is worst then any street in Karachi. People want practical results not inauguration ceremonies to attract masses.
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Mar 11, 2015 06:33pm
@Shehzad Zafar Please read UN and World Bank report they have appreciated PML (Q) government for their efforts for health and education don't be so sarcastic rather biased
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Mar 11, 2015 06:33pm
talk is cheap ! ! all he ever does is talk talk talk ! ! no results !
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Mar 11, 2015 06:33pm
A prime minister of motorways and metros only!
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Mar 11, 2015 06:45pm
Wonderful initiative ! Now establish a rolling railway, metro made in Pakistan and all weather safe and functional Gwadar-Kashgar economic link under an accelerated construction plan of no loop-holes for corruption.
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Mar 11, 2015 06:48pm
East India Co Also
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Mar 11, 2015 06:54pm
That is progress. PM Sharif had his blueprints sitting on the shelf.
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Mar 11, 2015 07:03pm
@Anarchist
You have that wrong. It was the perfect spot to be while the MQM offices were being raided.
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Mar 11, 2015 07:09pm
This is Pakistan, world's 9th poorest country and was till recently, world's 2nd most corrupt country. Here nothing moves without kick-on-the -back or hefty kick-backs !
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Mar 11, 2015 07:42pm
@Awais Ali
US also has one of the largest road networks. With highways comes commerce and progress. It may not be beneficial for masses directly (in terms of commuting) but think about all the goods that travel faster.
Having said that it's already a 4 lane highway adding 2 lanes is only a short term solution. Should at least make it 8 lane till Hyderabad.
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Mar 11, 2015 08:39pm
Motorway is not the way forward. Invest in education...how many universities has NS inaugurated.
Education and only education is the way forward.
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Mar 11, 2015 08:56pm
transport Minister is enough to inaugurate projects like this; fortunately our PM has so much time for inauguration functions, Mr. PM your time is so precious, do not waste it for such occasions.
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Mar 11, 2015 09:17pm
@Pak-Patriot
Don't just throw out numbers. Do you have sources to back your claim about Pakistan being the world's second most corrupt country?
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Mar 11, 2015 09:25pm
@Fahd Siddiqui I agree but do you know when the started developing road network? 1st they invest on people in the form of health, education, justice, law & order and many other social outfits. They prioritized things. But here only Motorways where health, education, justice and law & order is worse in the world.
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Mar 11, 2015 09:32pm
'PM inaugurates this Highway'.
Does it mean, that it is already constructed, built and functioning?
I am surprised, they leave out any details about the status, since when in the planning, who has constructed, cost, etc?
And most likely, like all other Mega projects, this one, too did not go to National companies.
Is it not shameful, that we can not even build roads.
Bravo !!!
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Mar 11, 2015 09:33pm
is he crying in the second picture ?
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Mar 11, 2015 09:35pm
so people are saying if he stole billions of dollars of public its ok as long as he spend
a million on a road ?
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Mar 11, 2015 10:01pm
Good work,These should have been constructed at least 20 years ago,but better late than never.Also one fails to understand how kickbacks are going to be involved,People have a very dirty habit of finding baseless faults ie they will neither themselves do any good work nor allow others to do good work
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Mar 11, 2015 10:10pm
@Pak-Patriot
.
You are speaking the truth. Italy is very much the same, and it is not Europe's strongest economy.
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Mar 11, 2015 10:14pm
@Nomi
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will always have his detractors no matter what he does. That's politics.
It's a free country so long as a sharia court isn't running Pakistan.
If the clerics are running things you can forget freedom of speech.
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Mar 11, 2015 10:42pm
America, starting from its independence from Great Britain on 4th July, 1776, has become a lone super-power of the world today. But its phenomenal economic strength only started with the start of 2oth. Century when America started making its "Interstate Motorways". We must learn from the demonstrated examples of success in history and when national maters are involved, nothing should upset the planned development at any manageable cost.
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Mar 11, 2015 10:47pm
MashaAllah Good news.
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Mar 11, 2015 10:48pm
Impression of 'inauguration' is wrong. It's the start of the work. Inauguration implies completion.
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Mar 11, 2015 11:17pm
At least there's progress in Pakistan. Pakistan has been at a stand still for the last 15-20 years. If corruption is bringing progress, I say bring on more corruption. Pakistan needs infrastructure, power, separation of religion and government, law & order, and a new tax code. With these changes, it will look more advanced than Dubai & look like a proper developed country in less than 20 years.
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Mar 11, 2015 11:20pm
@Ahmed USA - Progress can be used for the poor to help themselves. What he spends on his trips is peanuts compare to the bigger picture.
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Mar 11, 2015 11:56pm
Great Job Mr. PM....Now lets complete this important project on time and during your tenure.
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Mar 12, 2015 01:26am
TO say that people r dying and we have no need for motorways is idiotic; How are your ambulances going to get to the emergency. Infrastructure is the most important asset a country has. Sindhs biggest issue is that it does not have proper road ways. Pakistan lack the rest of the world in infrastructure, to the point where we still have power outages in 2015. A proper infrastructure will boost out economy allowing us to take care of the other issues in out country.
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Mar 12, 2015 02:33am
Inaugurations are done after the completion of projects. Did you mean the pproject is starting or completed already.
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Mar 12, 2015 04:45am
Credit should be given where it's due. Good job on completing these vital projects and initiating new ones.
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Mar 12, 2015 05:50am
Just wait 10 more years when there will be no water. Then you can sit and look at metro busses and motorways and weep for your bad fate. All this money should have been used to build dams.
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Mar 12, 2015 07:40am
Everybody seems to be expert of everything in Pakistan these days. If things have started to move after 15 years let them move and let the country get back on track !
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