Infrastructure Development in Pakistan

[Edevelop]

Glass is being installed in one of Islamabad's Metro Bus Stations

 

[Muhammad Omar]

Now Open in Zahoor Elahi Road

Coming Soon in Hussain Chowk, Liberty

Proposed in Y Block DHA

 

[Muhammad Omar]

Proposed in 35 C ll MM Alam road Gulberg

Proposed Hotel Building in Lower Mall

 

[Edevelop]

 

[Edevelop]

Karakoram Highway

 

[Muhammad Omar]

The new generation ships such as Emma Maersk, categorised as E-class vessel, are expected to appear soon on the Karachi port coastline, which will be made possible by a safe mooring alongside berths of Pakistan Deep Water Container Port.

The first phase of the PDWCP project is heading towards completion as the contractor has already handed over two berths to Karachi Port Trust (KPT) which expects take to over the other two by the middle of this year.

With initial draft of 16 meters and designed draft of 18 meters, the PDWCP will enable Pakistan to appear on global maritime map, joining only a few countries which are able to handle mother ships having 400-meter LOA (Length Overall), 55- meter beam and a loading capacity of over 11,000 TEUs (Twenty Feet Equivalent Unit).

By the end of this year, the E- Class vessels are expected to steam through newly constructed three breakwaters and one revetment at Keamari Groyne, says a KPT official.

He says the Chinese contractor, working on the project, has completed Marine Protection Work (MPW) at an estimated cost of Rs16.275m. Three new breakwaters at Oyster Rocks, New Manora, Keamari Stuk and one Keamari revetment have been constructed to ensure stable water in the basin area of the port.

Similarly, the company has completed around 82pc work related to the quay wall construction. The first berth was completed in March and second in September last year. The remaining work is expected to be over by mid-year. The total estimated cost of this segment of development has been Rs27.695bn.

KPT Chairman Vice Admiral Shafqat Jawed says the KPT has handed over berth No.1 and 2 to South Asia Pakistan Terminal Ltd.
With a straight quay length of 1,500 meters providing four berths each of 375 meters in length coupled with a designed depth of 18 meters, will enable PDWCP to accommodate vessels with the capacity up to 14,500 boxes.

About 93pc of the dredging and reclamation work--- yet another major component of the mega project---has been completed..

Another Chinese company is engaged in dredging work to create basin at 16 meters under phase-I with a turn circle which could allow vessels with over 400 meter LOA to move out of the port from the basin area.

The contractor has dredged around 33 million cubic meters including 8m cubic meters reclamation and used suitable dredged material to form container terminal area.

The green field mega project was initiated by former KPT Chairman KPT Admiral Ahmed Hayat. Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH) of Hong Kong committed to invest $457m the port- related equipment and other infrastructures.

KPT Chairman Vice Admiral Shafqat Jawed talking to this writer in his office said the KPT has handed over berth No.1 and 2 to terminal operator, South Asia Pakistan Terminal Ltd (SAPTL) whose parent company HPH, as per agreement, will bring in four gantry cranes and RTGs (rubber tire gantry cranes), build power plant building and also lay down 1,500 meter- long rail track for the movement of gantry cranes on the berths.

He expects to hand over two other berths (No 3 & 4) by June to the terminal operator. Looking at the current pace of development he hoped the PDWCP would be receiving first mother ship by the end of this year.

However, KPT chairman expressed his serious concern over the issue of land grabbing. He said precious land belonging to the port is being grabbed by other agencies and the provincial government.

A total area of 350 acres belonging to KPT is presently under a threat of being grabbed. Out of this, around 200 acres adjacent to PDWCP is purely dedicated port area.while the remaining 150 acres are beach area.

Without conceding that there is a serious connectivity issue for PDWCP, the KPT chief said initially when there will be less traffic the containers will be taken to marshalling yard at PQA through rail which is about 50km away from Deep Water Port.

The second option for giving connectivity to the PDWCP is by Moripur Elevated Expressway which will start from ICI Bridge to Northern Bypass (M-10). However, Vice-Admiral Shafqat Jawed admitted that real solution would be the harbour crossing bridge and this would be needed when container traffic touches its optimum level of 3.1 million boxes per annum.

The Karachi Port is currently focused on the PDWCP and would not like to take up any other project. The harbour crossing bridge, which is ultimate solution for the connectivity of the PDWCP, needs huge funds of up to Rss100 billion.

Responding to a question, he said, the Karachi port presently handles 1.6m boxes per annum and has an annual growth rate of 6-7pc in cargo activity; the KPT will also have to upgrade its existing berths to the economies of scale. The port is currently handling container vessels with a load of 6,000 to 7,000TEUs.

Talking about future plans, Vice Admiral Shafqat Jawed said under World Bank loan of $115 the Karachi Port would be undertaking ten-year business plan study. He disclosed that MTBS of Netherland will carry out the study which is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

The KPT has also launched EHS (environment, health and safety) Plan which will enable the port to get ISO certification.A foreign firm, Velosi, will be guiding the port on subjects like how to meet world health standards, safety of workers in port area, safety of vehicles/loaded with TEUs and tips as to how to keep harbour area clean.It has also started to educate people about environment, health and safety tips through displays on around 200 billboards in the port area.

Published in Dawn, Economic & Business, February 16th, 2015

Land Port Authority’s establishment approved

Finance Minister SenatorIshaq Dar Chairing a meeting of the Steering Committee to discuss issues on Integrated Trade Management System (ITTMS) at the Ministry of Finance, Islamabad. — Courtesy finance.gov.pk/file
ISLAMABAD: A high-level steering committee on Wednesday approved the establishment of the Land Port Authority (LPA) to oversee cross-border movement of goods and people.

The project, approved by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, is part of an Integrated Transit Trade Management Systems (ITTMS) at border customs stations to facilitate trade with neighbouring countries.

Adviser to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and other senior officials were also present at the meeting in which broad contours of the LPA were approved.

In January 2014, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif constituted a 13-member steering committee, headed by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, with five federal ministers and seven secretaries of relevant departments, to suggest solution for the establishment of land ports.

Since then, the committee held three meetings which led to the establishment of the LPA on Wednesday. Under the plan, three dry ports will be set up at Torkham, Chaman and Wagha border points to facilitate trade.

The LPA would oversee construction, management and maintenance of the integrated border crossing points and future extension.

The LPA would act as a common platform for all regulatory agencies, including customs, immigration, terminal operator, security, quarantine, banks, shipping agencies, freight forwarders etc and the concept would be based on various models of administration followed in countries, like Singapore, India and Bangladesh.

The LPA should be self-sustaining entity, with maximum operational and financial autonomy.

The successful implementation of the project will make Pakistan third country in South Asia after Bangladesh and India, having dedicated land ports for handling goods and passenger traffics at borders. The establishment of land ports was part of the Strategic Trade Policy Framework (2012-15) announced in December 2012.

On Wednesday, FBR Chairman Tariq Bajwa gave a detailed presentation to the steering committee about the ITTMS project which aims to make Pakistan a regional hub for transit trade.

A number of measures are being taken to channelise cross-border trade activities under this project for which the proposed LPA would play role of a facilitator and regulator.

During the meeting, it was decided that the LPA would be established through an executive order and its legal status would be confirmed later through an Act of Parliament. The land acquisition for the LPA at Torkham on the basis of 99-year renewable lease was already being undertaken.

Mr Bajwa briefed the meeting that ITTMS project had been included in FBR’s PSDP for fiscal year 2014-15.

The FBR presented the PC-I in August, 2014 to the Planning Commission. Pre-CDWP meetings were also held in October, 2014.

Based on the recommendations of the Planning Division, revised PC-1 has also been submitted. Technical Evaluation and Project Appraisal is ready and the FBR has designated focal persons on-site, to liaise with local administrations at Torkham, Chaman and Wahga.

Furthermore FBR, entrusted with the project has conveyed concurrence to Country Operation Business Plan (COBP), project financing facility to ADB, through Economic Affairs Division.

The ADB has committed $204 million for ITTMS project, primarily through its own resources, or by including some other development partner.

ADB Country Director Werner Leipach also addressed the meeting, giving an overview of the ADB’s financing plan for the project.

The ADB has mobilised its “Due Diligence team” for conducting socio-economic and environmental surveys for the project sites.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said the project carried great significance to transform Pakistan into a regional trade hub and its early implementation should be a priority for all the departments and organisations engaged in it.

He asked the Economic Affairs Division to coordinate with the ADB to firm up details about its funding. He emphasised project implementation should be initiated by May this year.

Published in Dawn, February 19th, 2015

30 milk collection centres to be set up in South Punjab


ISLAMABAD - Australian High Commissioner Peter Heyward on Tuesday opened a Shakarganj milk collection centre designed to expand milk collection and extension services in South Punjab. According to a press release issued by the Australian High Commission, the opening marked the start of a second phase in the partnership between Shakarganj and the Market Development Facility, which is funded by Australian Aid. CEO of Shakarganj Food Products Limited, Anjum Saleem also attended the ceremony.
On opening the centre, High Commissioner Heyward acknowledged that while Pakistan is the fifth largest milk producer in the world, many small hold dairy farmers lack access to formal markets. "Unfortunately, the informal market does not allow farmers to earn a premium price for their milk," he said. "This constrains farmers' ability to invest in their businesses and increase levels of milk production."
The Market Development Facility is partnering with businesses like Shakarganj to stimulate investment, business innovation and regulatory reform that benefits poor people working in Pakistan's dairy, meat, leather and horticulture industries.
Under the partnership with Shakarganj, 30 milk collection centres will be established in South Punjab, creating access to the formal milk market for small hold farmers from around 90 villages. Extension services provided through the initiative will give farmers advice on animal health, husbandry, and how to make their dairy businesses more profitable. "I hope this Australian assistance helps farmers to improve productivity which will lead to higher incomes and more incentives and capacity to re-invest in your businesses," High Commissioner Heywardtold the farmers present.
Australia is providing AU$9.2 million to the Market Development Facility until 2017.So far, the Market Development Facility has agreements with eight businesses. It aims to work with 40 businesses by 2017.

Exports to EU up $1.16b since GSP+


ISLAMABAD
Pakistan’s exports to the European Union have increased by $1.16 billion during the first eleven months since the implementation of GSP Plus on 1st January 2014, said the Minister for Commerce in his meeting with a delegation of Members of European Parliament led by Ms. Jean Lambert.
The two sides agreed to take trade cooperation between Pakistan and EU beyond GSP Plus and explore new avenues of cooperation in trade facilitation and trade enhancement.
The Minister proposed to establish joint ventures, which would help the people of Pakistan and EU to establish mutually beneficial economic relations by exploiting the strengths of two sides.
The Minister informed the delegation that GSP Plus status has positive effect on the industrial sector of Pakistan.
The trickle-down effects of the trade incentives are reaching the lowest tiers of workers that will effectively result in youth and women empowerment in the country, the Minister said. He was of the view that since the implementation of GSP Plus, the EU was noticed positively in Pakistan for its support in facilitating exports.
The Ministry of Commerce will devise new strategy for effective commercial diplomacy to boost Pakistan’s export. Trade Development Authority of Pakistan will hold AaliShan Pakistan Exhibition in different cities of Europe to project and promote emerging brands of Pakistan.
Treaty Implementation Cell is established in the Prime Minister Office to oversee the implementation of the UN Conventions on human rights in all the constituent units of Pakistan. The Cell conducted its meetings frequently to bring uniformity in the human rights laws in the country.
The delegation appreciated the efforts of Dastgir in bringing the EU and Pakistan closer through commercial and trade diplomacy.
They reiterated their resolve to support Pakistan to effectively face all the challenges that the country is confronted with. Ambassador of EU in Pakistan Lars-Gunnar Wigemark and their Political and Trade Consular in Pakistan also attended the meeting.

 

[Muhammad Omar]

Bahria Town Karachi

 

[Muhammad Omar]

Bahria Town Karachi

 

[Muhammad Omar]

Road to thar coal U/C

Lahore-Sialkot Motorway Feasibility Study

 

[Muhammad Omar]

Islamabad_Rawalpindi Metro Bus
Jinnah avenue.

Peshawar Morr Underpass.

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9th Avenue

 

[Muhammad Omar]

Completed

Billion tree tsunami will be officially launched this month

Electricity Project in KPK

 

[Muhammad Omar]

GC University New Campus (Work in Progress)

Sufi Barkat Ali Underpass & Flyover Project at Jhall Chowk

 

[Muhammad Omar]

Ch. Abid Sher Innaugurating 132 KV grid station at Sukkur. Total 20626 consumers would be benefitted.It would also decrease losses from 2.08% to 0.46% which would save 18.7 millions per annum. Five more grid stations would be established and upgraded in the area of SEPCO.

LAHORE: Controlled-access six-lane Lahore Ring Road [40 km (operational) + 45 km (planned)]

Iqbal Stadium-(Cricket Ground) Faisalabad

 

[OTTOMAN]

better to build new houses for the 'کچی آبادی' rather than building tight and curving underpasses.
I don't really know, what politicians think!

 

[Muhammad Omar]

better to build new houses for the 'کچی آبادی' rather than building tight and curving underpasses.
I don't really know, what politicians think!

This is For Metro Bus Not for general Traffic