Islamabad(Daily Parliament Times):State Minister for Communications Mr. Murad Saaed has said, as per vision of Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan, country is being put on the track towards development with complete enthusiasm. In order to run communications projects we are to move ahead through mutual coordination and consultation. Simplicity is being adopted practically in all the sectors. He was addressing a high level briefing session at Ministry of Communications here today participated by Federal Secretary Communications Mr. Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui, Chairman NHA Mr. Jawwad Rafique Malik, IG National Highway and Motorway Police Muhammad Aamir Zulfiqar Khan Chief NTRC Mr. Sajjad Afzal Afridi and Senior Officers of Ministry of Communications and its attached departments. Mr. Murad Saeed said National Highways and Motorways play vital role in Socio-economic uplift of the country. Our endeavor is to ensure exact use of public money collected through taxes. All possible steps will be undertaken to bring about transparency in road communications projects. He further said delay in road building projects increases their cost which needs particular attention. He said during planning of highway projects issues relating to land acquisition must be considered. He desired third party audit of the delayed projects. Continuing he said, timely and quality construction of ongoing national highways and motorways be ensured. He stressed upon the need of increases in enhancing revenue so that required funds could be made available. He said Toll collection system needs to be further improved. Tendering and bidding process of highway schemes be completed following rules and regulations and decision is taken on merit. Good conditions of roads will prepare ground to promote tourism in the country. He desired afforestation all along national highways and motorways network. Federal Secretary Communications Mr. Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui said Communications Projects will be taken ahead as per guidance of the present government. He said all departments should take benefits from this opportunity of change. iving briefing Chairman NHA Mr. Jawwad Rafique Malik said total length of national highways and motorways in the country is 12743KMs and that 95% freight traffic and 90% passenger traffic is attached to road transport. He said, two projects of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) having total length of 511KM are under construction which will be completed at cost of Rs. 428billion while Six projects having length of 1311KMs are planned. He further said 698KMs long motorway network has been completed while 1365KM long motorways projects are underway. Speaking about ongoing projects he said 23 projects are under construction which will be completed at cost of Rs. 299billion. He said NHA is making pragmatic advancement with view to increase its revenue. He informed, NHA has awarded four projects through Public Private Partnership (PPP) while Six projects are in pipeline. Briefing was also given by IG National Highway and Motorway Police Muhammad Aamir Zulfiqar Khan, Chief NTRC Mr. Sajjad Afzal Afridi and officers of CTTI regarding their respective organizations.Earlier State Minister for Communications Mr. Murad Saaed planted a sampling in the green area of D-Block Pak Secretariat Islamabad.
