ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Asad Umar said the government was encouraging private sector to come forward and participate in infrastructure development.

The minister made these remarks during the meeting of third Board of Directors of the Public Private Partnership Authority (PPPA) on Wednesday.

The meeting reviewed various proposals relating to the formulation of rules, under the PPPA Act.

Umar emphasised the importance of early finalisation of PPPA rules to fully utilise the authority’s potential.

The National Highway Authority team briefed the board on the commercial feasibility of Sukkar-Hyderabad Motorway (M-6) project. The Board directed the NHA to expeditiously complete the remaining work on the feasibility, to enable early launch of the project.

The minister directed the management of the authority to expedite work on the other projects in the pipeline.

While the government wants the private sector to participate and invest in infrastructure projects, it would be willing to fill the financing gaps wherever feasible, he said.

Published in Dawn, November 28th, 2019