The Ministry of Defence has sought Rs30 billion for fencing 1080.250 kilometers along Pak-Iran border in two phases including establishment of 225 border forts and installation of surveillance system.
For the first phase, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet has approved allocation of Rs3.028 billion as technical supplementary grant (non-lapsable) during 2019-20. The Cabinet in its last meeting ratified the ECC decision.
The Ministry of Defence informed the ECC that efficient border management is an important cardinal of improving bilateral relations between Pakistan and Iran. Porous nature of border and wider gaps in development are being exploited by terrorists, Baloch sub-nationals, smugglers, narco and human traffickers which create security problems besides causing serious economic losses to the country. Moreover, trade also needs to be streamlined using formal crossing on Pak-Iran border which can only be optimally utilized if the border is properly fenced. Therefore, fencing the Pak-Iran border has become a strategic priority to be initiated at the earliest.
General Headquarters (GHQ) has stated that ongoing fencing including construction of border forts along Pakistan-Afghan border has proved to be a success and yielded positive results. This arrangement, if put in place, will mitigate effects of illegal smuggling causing loss of revenue, recent surge in terrorist incidents and sub-nationals' activities in southern Balochistan. In this backup, the need for fencing Pakistan-Iran border becomes strategic priority, and the Prime Minister's office has desired that the Ministry of Defence initiate a summary through Foreign Affairs and Finance Division.
The GHQ has provided the financial effect for fencing and allied defensive infrastructure along 909 kilometers of Pak-Iran border, according to which in the area of Chedgi-Jiwani (which distance including ground variation is 518.550 km) will cost Rs12.506 billion. 111 border forts will be built at a cost of Rs0.810 billion and the cost of surveillance system will be Rs1.040 billion. The area of Chedgi-Taftan is 389.950 kilometers for which an amount of Rs9.485 billion is required for fencing. 80 border forts will be built at a cost of Rs0.584 billion whereas the cost of surveillance system is estimated to be Rs0.780 billion. The cost of Rabat-Taftan area of 171.750 kilometer has been estimated at Rs4.163 billion.
On this area, 34 border forts will be established at a cost of Rs0.248 billion while the cost of surveillance system is Rs0.340 billion.
This implies that the cost of total area of 1080.250 kilometers is Rs26.154 billion whereas the cost of 225 border forts will be Rs1.642 billion. The cost of surveillance system has been calculated at Rs2.160 billion.
The sources said, additional allocation over and above normal budget allocation (technical supplementary grant) is required as per following phases and timelines - (i) phase-1: Rs3.028 billion in financial year 2019-20; and (ii) phase-2: Rs26.928 billion in financial year 2020-21 which implies total estimated cost of this project will be Rs29.956 billion (non-lapsable technical supplementary grant).
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued No Objection from political point of view for survey and fencing along the Pak-Iran border.
The Finance Division confirmed that Rs3.028 billion is available for security enhancement and may be considered for allocation for fencing along the Pak-Iran border. Besides, approval of the project from competent authority/forum be obtained. The mechanism to undertake/maintain the project, technical/administrative sanctions and award of contract(s) will be applied/accorded as per Rule 41 of Chapter-11 (Section-2) of the Defence Services Regulations, Pakistan (Military Engineer Services-1998).
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