ISLAMABAD: According to Muhammad Ishaq Dar, the Federal Minister of Finance and Revenue, the government has allocated a total of Rs 118.4 billion under the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) for FY2023, which would be used to improve the nation’s road infrastructure.
118.4 Billion For Road Safety
The Finance Minister stated that the government has included 50 projects in the National Highway Authority (NHA) portfolio in the PSDP for CFY2023 with a total allocation of Rs 118.4 billion. This allocation is to provide the country with a safe, modern, and efficient transportation infrastructure.
He made this statement during the ‘International Road Safety Conference for Parliamentarians’ closing ceremony. The ceremony took place in the Serena hotel, Islamabad.
According to Ishaq Dar, the number of vehicles on the road was anticipated to be 34.2 million up until FY2022. And this number is rising quickly as the middle class expands across the nation.
He stated that Pakistan’s present road infrastructure covered 500,750 km. This network includes 428 km of motorway, 32097 km of highway, and 373525 km of local roads. Moreover, 146 km of metro roads, 2816 km of motorways, and 92153 km of primary and secondary roads, respectively.
significant infrastructure development projects
He stated that the previous PML (N) governments focused on significant infrastructure development projects. These projects include M2 Lahore-Islamabad Motorway, which was launched in the early 1990s by the PML(N) government. Since then, this project has extended spectacularly throughout the country. Later, included in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
It has improved the length and quality of highways while also providing much-needed comfort for motorists, which has significantly increased road safety.
He claimed that in order to speed up the nation’s economic development, the current PDM coalition government, which includes the PML-N, is again working on improving the quantity and quality of the nation’s roadways.
Furthermore, the government is actively seeking effective implementation of road safety legislation in order to maintain accident-free traffic flow.
The minister stated that it is our responsibility as lawmakers to identify effective solutions to enhance road safety. At both the local and global levels, he continued, we must act right away and quickly.
Goals of the United Nations Global Action Plan
According to the minister, we must implement road safety measures. The intention should be to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 50% by 2030. These are the goals set by the United Nations Global Action Plan on Road Safety.
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He is confident that the insightful talks will be beneficial in guiding the future of road safety programs in our countries. The conference has been a fantastic chance for lawmakers to exchange their experiences, knowledge, and best practices, he said.
Meanwhile, he emphasized the need for ongoing efforts to increase traffic safety. He said that the world must now put greater emphasis on legislating thorough traffic regulations and strictly enforcing their application.
In addition, he thanked the organizing committee members and the presidents of the International Parliamentarians Congress (IPC) on Road Safety and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), as well as the deputy secretary of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States (TURKPA).
According to him, the pressure on road infrastructure is rising as a result of alternative forms of transportation being comparatively ineffective at ensuring the implementation of appropriate road safety measures, which are crucial for socioeconomic growth.
Ishaq Dar stated that the discussions with the IMF have reached their last phase. The final round of IMF negotiations is taking place today, and both sides are making significant progress, he continued. He expressed optimism about the direction of the IMF negotiations.
