The National Assembly was informed on Wednesday that the federal government has planned to construct six new highways/expressways in addition to conversion of Karachi-Hyderabad Super Highway into motorway costing Rs 107 billion till 2013.
Through a written answer provided by the Ministry of Communication in reply to a question by MNA Mohammad Afzal Khokhar, it said that the new highways/expressways would be completed till 2013.
Faisalabad-Khanewal, E-4 will be completed at a cost of Rs 33.10 billion, Wazirabad-Pindi Bhattian, E-3 Rs 15 billion, Khanewal-Lodhran E-5 Rs 15, Peshawar-Turkham Rs 13 billion, Karachi-Hyderabad highway at Rs 8 billion, Hassanabadal-Havelian Rs 10 billion and Havelian-Mansehra highway Rs 12 billion.
Besides, the Ministry of Communication also informed the House that Rs 1000 million were allocated in PSDP 2007-08 for Indus Highway project and Rs 700 million released to NHA of which Rs 161.750 million has been incurred so far.
To a question of PPP lawmaker Yasmin Rehman, the in-charge minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources told the House that the annual requirement of petrol during 2007-08 is estimated at 1,450,000 tons, diesel 8,000,000 tons and Hi-Octane 10,000 million tons. During 2007-08, the annual domestic production of petrol is estimated at 1,328,00 tons, diesel 3,010,00 tons and Hi-Octane 10,000 tons.
The total quantity of imported petrol and diesel during 2007-08 is 122,000 tons and 490,000 tons, respectively. The Minister of Petroleum also informed the House that the provincial government of Sindh has developed six blocks in the Thar coalfield, which has the potential to cater to the coal requirement of 1000MW power plant.
To a question, the ministry opined that the total coal deposits of Pakistan are about 185 billion tons including 175.5 billion tons in Thar coalfield, Sindh. To a written question, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development informed the House that during 2006-08, almost Rs 3,801.464 million were allocated for 5,637 development projects under Khushhal Pakistan Programme-I scheme.