ISLAMABAD, Oct 1: Federal Minister for Communications Muhammad Shamim Siddiqui on Saturday said Lyari Expressway and Karachi Northern Bypass projects were of extraordinary importance and their completion would improve traffic flow in Karachi.

During his maiden visit to the NHA offices, the minister was given a detailed briefing by the NHA chairman, Maj Gen Furrukh Javed on the ongoing and future projects. The minister took keen interest in Lyari Expressway and Karachi Northern Bypass projects and said concrete measures were underway to compensate and resettle the people affected by the Lyari Expressway project.

Mr Siddiqui said successful completion of mega highway projects would accelerate the pace of socio-economic development. "It is satisfying that the NHA is successfully implementing the mega highway projects, and the pace of work on these projects is satisfactory," he observed.

Minister of State for Communications, Engineer M. Shahid Jamil Qureshi said the highway projects in southern Punjab would gear up the pace of economic and social development in the region. He also asked for arranging a meeting in Multan with regard to the building of a bridge over Chenab river.

The NHA chairman in his briefing said great significance had been attached to the Lyari Expressway and Karachi Northern Bypass projects. "The NHA will only commercialise the land of 'Right of Way'. Matters relating to the resettlement of the people affected by Lyari Expressway fall under the control of the Sindh government,"