KARACHI, In a significant meeting with Prime Minister Anwar ul Haq Kakar at PM House Islamabad, Caretaker Chief Minister of Sindh, Justice (r) Maqbool Baqar, discussed five major development projects of the province. He urged the Prime Minister to issue directives to overcome obstacles hindering these projects’ completion and launch.
According to a CM House, the Chief Minister briefed Prime Minister Kakar on the challenges faced by these key projects and sought his intervention for their resolution. The Prime Minister’s response was reported as positive and supportive. The projects discussed include the Karachi Circular Railways (KCR), the Red Line project, the Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply Scheme (K-IV), the Malir Expressway, and issues regarding Cross-input Tax.
For the KCR project, the Chief Minister emphasized the need for a Sovereign Guarantee from the federal government to secure financial commitments and requested the Prime Minister to sign a framework agreement under CPEC. Additionally, he requested Pakistan Railways to hand over land along the Right of Way for KCR, crucial for the project’s success.
Discussing the Red Line project, Justice (r) Baqar highlighted its implementation with the assistance of the Asian Development Bank and other co-financiers. He mentioned the pending Price adjustment/escalation formula proposal, which has been delayed for more than two months. The CM requested the Prime Minister to advise the ECNEC/Planning Commission for swift issuance of Anticipatory Approval.
On the K-IV project, the CM pointed out the critical need for additional funding to complete the project on time. He requested the Prime Minister to direct the concerned ministry to allocate an additional amount of at least Rs.24.5 billion for the current financial year 2023-24.
Regarding the Malir Expressway, the Chief Minister conveyed concerns about the NOCs and permissions from federal government ministries impeding construction activities. He stressed that if these NOCs are not arranged by November 15, 2023, the lenders would cease further disbursements.
Finally, the Chief Minister addressed the issue of Cross-input Tax, where the federal government has deducted Rs31 billion from the Sindh government. He urged the Prime Minister to direct the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to reconcile the amount with the Sindh Revenue Board (SRB).
In response, Prime Minister Kakar assured support for these projects. He instructed the Chief Minister to coordinate a meeting in Islamabad with federal secretaries and Sindh government officials to settle the discussed issues.