RAWALPINDI, May 14: The Punjab government has started releasing funds for the projects that had been put on hold for technical reasons.
Usually in May, when fiscal year is closing, funds are not released, but there is no dearth of money for the Rawalpindi projects proposed by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) lawmakers.
According to officials, over Rs100 million were expected to be released in the next three or four days for the stalled projects including 12 dispensaries in the city that had been proposed by MPA Sheharyar Riaz but not recommended by the finance department.
Over Rs780 million have been released this month for Pirwadhai underpass and work on Rs30 million paediatric ward in District Headquarters Hospital would soon be started.
Besides, Rs100 million have been handed over to the district administration for construction of another college which would be named after chief minister Shahbaz Sharif.
Just three weeks back, the Punjab government had provided Rs70 million for constructing a degree college in the constituency of MNA Shakil Awan while on Saturday Rs107 million were released for another Shahbaz Sharif Degree College in Dhoke Ratta, the constituency of MPA Sheharyar Riaz.
The PML-N has decorated the city with fresh banners congratulating the chief minister for granting huge funds for the uplift of Rawalpindithe names of projects approved by the Punjab Officials in district administration and finance department told Dawn that the ‘unusual’ release of hefty funds in May was a rare exercise.
However, Rawalpindi DCO Saqib Zaffar said that the funds would be adjusted in the next financial year.
“There is no shortage of funds and PC-I of all mega projects have been approved. I don’t know the political motive but one can say the funds will benefit public,” the DCO said.
On Monday, Rs450 million were released for Marirh Hassan project though it will be completed in nine months. Similarly, PC-I of overhead bridge at 6th road has been approved and Rs30 million have been released for starting work on the project.
“We are not afraid of any political party as we have already undertaken development projects worth billions of rupees in Rawalpindi. The funds have been released by the Punjabafter a thorough feasibility study by the authorities concerned,” MNA Shakil Awan told this reporter when he was asked about the release of hefty funds.
Engineers had objected to the construction of Marirh Hassan tunnel on the grounds that the project would consume a lot of time and money and instead had proposed an overhead bridge there.
The project has got not only approval this month but funds were also released prompting the PML-N workers to display banners.
Malik Sohail, organizer of the PTI’s gathering at Liaquat Bagh, claimed that there was anxiety in PML-N about the first public gathering of PTI at historic Liaquat Bagh.