Islamabad releases major funds for projects in aviation sector

Pakistan government has released funds amounting to Rs548.89 million during first five months of the current fiscal year to execute 15 aviation sector projects under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP 2020-21) against the total allocation of Rs1,320.879 million.

According to the official data, the government has authorised/disbursed an amount of Rs548.890 million as of November 27.

As per the PSDP details, an amount of Rs61.923 million would be utilised during the fiscal year for construction of double storey ladies hostel/barrack with provision of third storey along with mess, recreation hall and allied facilities at Allama Iqbal International Airport Lahore.

Similarly, Rs90 million would be spent for construction of double storey barrack with provision of third storey for corporal to inspectors and assistant director along with separate mess, and allied facilities recreation hall at Quetta Airport.

Funds amounting to Rs50 million and Rs69.756 million have been reserved for construction of Airport Security Force (ASF) Camp at Islamabad International Airport and building barrack accommodation for ASF personnel along with mess and allied facilities respectively.

While, Rs20 million have been kept for construction of barrack accommodation for ASF personnel along with mess and allied facilities at Chitral Airport, Rs 65 million for construction of double storey barracks for ASF at Faisalabad Airport, Rs21.280 million for construction of double storey Director South Secretariat offices ASF along with allied facilities adjacent to HQs ASF Karachi, Rs100 million for construction of rain water harvesting Kasana Dam, Rs63.553 million to construct triple storey living accommodation for ASF personnel at Lahore Airport and Rs99.367 million for construction of triple storey living barrack for ASF personnel along with mess, recreation hall at Multan airport.

An amount of Rs55 million has been allocated for installation of Weather Surveillance Radar at Karachi, whereas Rs55 million would be utilized for installation of Weather Surveillance Radar at Multan, Rs519 million for New Gwadar International Airport (NGIA) project, Rs41 million for Reverse Linkage Project Between Pakistan Meteorological Department and Marmara Research Centre, Turkey and Rs10 million for up-gradation of ASF Academy, Karachi.

The management of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is taking steps to improve efficiency of its employees. Nine PIA employees have been issued appreciation letters and monetary awards were given to three employees for exhibiting good performance.

Meanwhile, Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has approved gas supply to PSM and ended regulatory duty on cotton imports.

Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance Abdul Hafeez Shaikh chaired a meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee to discuss a 10-point agenda.

During the meeting underway in Islamabad on Wednesday, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has given the approval to end five per cent regulatory duty on cotton imports after mulling over recommendations to encourage its imports for bringing raw cotton.

Sources told that the committee approved gas supply to Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM). It has also approved for initiating gas supply from Benari field to Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC).

A suggestion was tabled in the ECC meeting to constitute a committee for waiving off loans of the national highway. A summary for repair work of Islamabad High Court (IHC) building was approved by the ECC members, sources said.

ECC is also likely to approve Karachi transformation plan announced by Prime Minister Imran Khan in September for the execution of a transformation plan meant to address the city’s issues and developmental requirements.

In the previous meeting, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) had approved a technical supplementary grant for the advance purchases of COVID-19 vaccines.

The ECC members had deliberated upon the six-month extension of payment of interest on loans acquired from G20 countries and the matter related to gas supply to Engro Fertilizers. The committee’s members approved gas supplies to Engro Fertilizers.

Moreover, the committee had granted permission to Punjab province for importing 340,000 tonnes wheat through the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP).

Sources told that the committee had allocated funds for the payment of salaries of Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) workers; a technical supplementary grant worth Rs500 million for education ministry; approval of Rs683.3 million budget for National Information Technology Board (NITB).