ISLAMABAD, Sept 16: The government has decided to accord 'high priority' to only five major development projects due to financial constraints.

According to sources, it was decided at a meeting presided over by President Gen Pervez Musharraf on that five of the 21 major development projects would be pursued in the absence of required funding.

It was decided that high priority would be accorded to the Mangla Dam raising, Gomal Zam dam, Mirani dam, Kachhi canal and right bank outfall drainage-II projects. The meeting was of the view that other projects should also be completed as scheduled.

The president said the committee looking into the sources of funding for the projects over the next years should come out with a resolution of the issue within the stipulated time.

The meeting decided that the private investment should be sought in the road and transport sectors and feasible hydropower projects on build, operate and transfer and build, operate, own and transfer basis to "take pressure off the development programme".

It directed the planning and finance division and ministries concerned that "all efforts must be made to complete the development projects in time in order to avoid extra cost".

It was observed that the planning commission should be strengthened and reoriented so that it could effectively perform its role of policy formulation, objective analyses and facilitating speedy execution of projects.

The meeting observed that only 20 per cent of the work on the Lyari expressway project had been completed against the target of 83 per cent because of non-availability of the right of way.

The Sindh chief secretary was asked to ensure the handing over of 60 per cent of the right of way by September and 75 per cent by December. It decided that the truck stand near the Mauripur Road should be shifted to avoid traffic congestion and encroachment of the Karachi Northern Bypass lanes.

It was informed that the Makran coastal highway project was expected to be completed by October, four months ahead of schedule. The meeting noted that the overall progress of the greater Karachi water supply scheme was satisfactory but it directed the officials concerned to strengthen the existing system to accommodate 100 million gallons daily from it.

"The water tanker mafia should be effectively dealt with by putting a stop to tankers drawing water from the distribution system," it observed. The wastage of water in Karachi was reported to be 125MGD, it observed.

"There seems to be theft of a huge quantity of water, which needs to be checked by the Sindh government for smooth supply in Karachi," it observed. The meeting decided that the Rs350 million allocated for Thar's infrastructure development would be released during the current financial year.

It was observed that actions should be taken to make the Sindh Coal Authority more effective, including the posting of an experienced professional as its chief. It was decided that tariff would be negotiated with the Shenhua Group according to the prescribed process but on fast track and that two to three thousand megawatts of electricity should be generated from coal by 2010-11.

It ordered that a plan of action covering policy issues and administrative matters should be prepared by the Planning Commission, the petroleum and natural resources ministry and the Sindh government for the Thar coal field.

"Rising international prices coupled with increasing energy demand for a high planned growth makes it essential to meet up to 50 per cent of our energy requirement through coal," the meeting observed.