ISLAMABAD - Directing to speed up the development projects through better coordination among the departments, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has directed Federal Minister for Planning to sign a framework agreement with the Chinese government for funding of the mega projects.
The PM expressed these views while chairing a high-level meeting regarding Pakistan-China Economic Corridor and early-harvest development projects here in the PM House Thursday.
Federal Minister for Water & Power Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique, Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, Special Assistant to PM on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi and concerned senior government officers.
During the meeting, the Federal Minister for Planning apprised the PM that two working groups have been established for early-harvest projects in the Transport Infrastructure and Energy sectors. The Prime Minister directed that better coordination among line departments should be ensured to fast track development projects.
Various options for funding of Karachi to Lahore Motorway project were discussed. The Prime Minister was told that Multan-Sukkur section of the Karachi-Lahore Motorway is being built by Chinese, while remaining sections would be constructed on Built-Operate-Transfer (BOT) basis. 
Prime Minister directed that international firms should be invited to participate in the biding of these sections and the process should be completely transparent.
It was informed that rehabilitation plan for Lahore-Islamabad Motorway has been finalised with a cost of Rs. 36 billion and will be completed in 18 months from date of start of work.
It was informed that early-harvest projects included 1320 MW Coal-Based Power Projects (IPP) at Port Qasim, 660 MW Coal-Based Power Projects (IPP) at Gaddani by Power China, 1100 MW Kohala Hydro Power Project, 873 MW Suki Kanari Hydro Power Project, 720 MW Karot Hydro Power Project, 3.5 MT/A Coal Mining Project Thar Block-II SECMC, Solar Power Park at Bahawalpur, Karachi-Lahore Motorway, Construction of East-Bay Expressway at Gwadar and Hospital at Gwadar (300 beds) and are ready for ground-breaking this year.
PM DIRECTS TO
MODERNISE RAILWAY
STATIONS
Appreciating the additional revenue generation by good governance by Pakistan Railways, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has directed for refurbishment and modernization of railway stations across the country for the facility of train users.
Premier Sharif was informed during the briefing on Thursday on the working of Pakistan Railways that an additional target of Rs.4.5 billion was achieved this year while another Rs. 5 billion losses were controlled by better management of the department running in massive loss since long.
The meeting held under the chair of Premier Sharif at the Prime Minister's House, which was also attended by Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique, Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif and senior government officers.
The Prime Minister was informed that request for proposals regarding feasibility study of Islamabad-Murree-Muzaffarabad Railway Link will be floated in the second week of April this year.
The PM was apprised about the functioning of Railways, its history, present status and future direction. During the briefing, the Prime Minister was told that the present administration of Pakistan Railways is focused on the core business of transportation of goods and people.
It was decided to reconstitute Railway's Board with better representation from private sector. The PM was told that work on Karachi Circular Railway would be initiated soon.