ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Communication Abdul Hakeem Baloch Tuesday said that several development projects are underway, which will improve the country’s economy.
He said this while talking in a current affairs programme of Radio Pakistan. “The work on construction of motorways from Gwadar to Khuzdar, Karachi to Lahore and Multan to Sukkur will also be initiated soon,” he said, adding that construction of road networks is being carried out through China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Renovation on Lahore to Islamabad motorway was also underway, he added. “Timely completion of the development projects will result in economic progress of our country,” he observed.
Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs Senator Chairperson Nuzhat Sadiq said,”The main role in the economic development of a country is construction of new roads.
“The dream of PM Nawaz Sharif is to make Pakistan a developed country. He has also been taking keen interest to improve trade relations with all the countries of the region which is a positive gesture,” she remarked.
Senator Nehal Hashmi said, “The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor will facilitate all the provinces of the country equally as a strong communication and easy transportation among the provinces is required.”
The government, he said, has initiated many development projects through the CPEC that would support the government to overcome energy crisis.
Senator Kalsoom Parveen said that the construction of toll plazas on National Highways and Motorways was mandatory because the money collected through these toll plazas was being utilized for repairing of these roads. “We may notice that countries having better road infrastructures are economically stable,” she added.
Economist Shahid Hassan Siddiqui said that the government and security forces have managed to reduce the terrorism in the country to a great extent; owing to which the foreign investors have been taking interest to invest in development projects in Pakistan.
Industrialist Mirza Ikhtiyar Baig said that the TAPI gas pipeline project would also play a vital role to overcome gas shortage. Pak Army has vowed to provide the security to the CPEC as some elements have been trying to sabotage this project, he said, adding that especially India was the main opponent of this project as it could not see the other countries of the region prospering.
NHA DG Mansoor Ahmed Sarohi said that road infrastructure plays a vital role in progress and development of any country.
