Minister for Communications Barrister Habibur Rehman said on Wednesday that government attaches top priority to developing and extending communications network in the country.
In an exclusive interview with APP here the minister said that under the President Musharraf's Vision 2030, communications sector would play a key role in socio-economic development of the country.
"The roads network to be developed under the vision would not only reduce distance but would also help boost economy and create employment opportunities in the country", he added.
He said that the main task of the caretaker government was to hold free, fair, transparent and peaceful elections in the country on February 18. However continuity of various development projects in the country was also the responsibility of the caretakers, he continued.
To a query, he said that the government has earmarked Rs 29612.820 million in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2007-08 for the Communications Division for its various ongoing and new projects while Rs 25040.000 million have been allocated for National Highway Authority (NHA).
Speaking about the portfolio of National Highway Authority he said presently the authority is working on 68 projects. He further said that early completion of Lyari Expressway Project, Lowari Tunnel project, Rehabilitation of Karakoram Highway, Gwadar-Turbat-Hoshab Motorway Project (M-8), Surab-Hoshab Road (N-85) were the top priority of the ministry. To another question he said that after Railways Communication Ministry suffered most losses in unrest after assassination of PPP Chairperson Benazir Bhutto on December 27.
"According to estimates Pakistan Post suffered Rs 90 million loss as 40 post offices including General Post Office in Hyderabad were burnt to ashes", he added.
He further said that five functional toll plazas on Karachi-Hyderabad road were burnt to ashes. Similarly eight vehicles and three offices of National Highways and Motorway Police (NH&MP) and two weigh stations were torched by the mobs during the unrest.
Answering a question about litigation with Turkish construction company Bayinder, he said that international tribunal would start proceedings of the case in May. However, he said that talks with the company are still in progress to reach an out of court agreement. He said that "from legal point of view, the NHA was on a strong wicket and there was no need to give unnecessary concessions for reaching an out of court settlement".
To a question about Mashahd-Quetta bus service he said that arrangements were being finalised and the service would be launched in March this year. He said the NH&MP is the only department that can be compared with any police department worldwide.
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