LAHORE: A World Bank’s delegation led by Gailius Draugelis met Chairman of Planning & Development Board Abdullah Khan Sumbal on Tuesday at P&D Complex.
During the meeting, the chair reviewed in detail about the World Bank-funded projects in Punjab. The chair also discussed the role of the Punjab government in completing the projects in timeline. The project directors briefed the chair about the progress of different World Bank’s-funded projects across Punjab.
During the meeting, the chair and delegates were also briefed about quantification and validation of physical damages and indirect losses after floods across Punjab. Some 17 sectors which include agriculture and livestock, roads and infrastructure development, health and education have been massively affected. The government of Punjab is currently working on guiding principles and policies for instant relief, rehabilitation and economic recovery.
World Bank’s Operation Manager Pakistan Gailius Draugelis expressed his concern about the current monsoon flood that has caused widespread countrywide destruction including Punjab.
He further stated that the World Bank is currently taking stock of the situation and collecting information to assist the government of Punjab in immediate relief and post-disaster reconstruction efforts.
The meeting was also attended by the Secretary P&D Board, Project Directors and senior officials. Meanwhile, the Punjab Provincial Development Working Party approved seven development schemes of various sectors with an estimated cost of Rs9,631.27 million.
These schemes were approved in the 11th meeting of Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP) of current fiscal year 2022-23. The meeting was presided over by Chairman Planning & Development Board Abdullah Khan Sumbal.
The approved development schemes included promotion of gram cultivation through climate smart technologies in Thal areas of the Punjab at the cost of Rs1,255.005 million. Construction of bridge and approach road to parking at Lahore High Court, Rawalpindi Bench, at the cost of Rs889.869 million and rehabilitation of road from Sambrial Dry port Chowk to Sial Airport, in District Sialkot, at the cost of Rs732.745 million were approved in the meeting. Feasibility study, integrated development planning and revamping of Data Darbar Complex, Lahore, at the cost of Rs80.095 million and, establishment of PMU (annual expenditure) at the cost of Rs596.400 million were approved.
The technical assistance for Punjab Affordable Housing Programme at the cost of Rs3,000.000 million and rehabilitation of Wazirabad Sialkot Kashmir Road in District Sialkot at the cost of Rs3,077.156 million were also approved.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2022