President inaugurates Hyderabad-Badin Road project

HYDERABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari Saturday said the government has attached priority to establish an efficient, modern and reliable highways and motor-ways network in the country which is necessary to ensure progress and prosperity.

Addressing a function here after performing ground-breaking of M-9 Motor-way and inaugurating Hyderabad Badin-Mirwah Sanjar Chang Road, the President said highways and motor-ways play a pivotal role for national integration, economic stability and promoting social bonds.

He said the government had undertaken a number of mega projects all over the country to improve road infrastructure.

The President said both these projects will usher in a new era of progress and prosperity in the region and generate new opportunities of employment.

Referring to Pakistan's strategically location, the President said due to this location Pakistan can play a pivotal role in regional trade with China and Central Asian States that needs up- grading the communication network.

He said the M-9 project will help promote inter-provincial connectivity as well as harmony. He said Karachi-Hyderabad Super Highway links Karachi Port and Port Qasim with rest of the country.

The President said there is need to build more highways and motor-ways to promote regional trade adding that there is need to encourage private investment in up-grading the communication network.

He said many projects like Peshawar-Torkham road, Chakdara Bridge, Khushalgarh Bridge, Faisalabad-Multan Motorway (M-4), up- gradation of Karakoram Highway, Southern Punjab Development Package and Sind Development package are in progress to improve road connectivity.

All these projects will strengthen the economy and alleviate poverty, he added.

The President congratulated Ministry of Communications, National Highway Authority and Frontier Works Organization on undertaking this project of national importance.

The function was attended by Sindh Governor Dr. Ishrat ul Ebad Khan, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Federal and Provincial Ministers, and parliamentarians.

President Asif Ali Zardari said that Pakistan believes in promoting regional trade relations and committed to Iran Gas Pipeline Project and the Gwadar Port Project.

He said such projects will not only bring progress and prosperity in the country, but will also benefit the common people in improving their socio economic condition.

The President hoped that Pakistan Peoples Party will again form the government after the next general elections adding that maintenance of law and order will be on top priority so that the people could get a peaceful atmosphere for the development of the country.

He said that the government has introduced modern techniques in maintaining the records of all kinds including tax collection. The government has introduced software for computerizing the data so that each record could be made available with a touch of one key, he added.

Federal Communications Minister Arbab Alamgeer while speaking on the occasion said that during the tenure of the present government, the Ministry has launched 12 projects in Sindh province worth Rs 45 billion, of which six projects have been completed while the remaining six projects will be completed in the next year.

The Minister expressed his satisfaction over the performance of FWO which received contract for the construction of M-9 project adding that FWO has also completed different important projects in the past.