Pakistan, ADB sign agreements worth $1.5bn for various projects

Pakistan, ADB sign agreements worth $1.5bn for various projects
The federal government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Wednesday signed six agreements amounting to $1.543 billion to finance projects related to the energy sector, urban infrastructure, social protection, roads and water resources, the Ministry of Economic Affairs in a statement.

The agreements were signed by Economic Affairs Division Secretary Mian Asad Hayaud Din and ADB's Country Director Yong Ye in Islamabad. Minister for Economic Affairs Omar Ayub Khan witnessed the signing.

Giving a breakdown of the agreements, the statement said they included a $300m policy-based loan to support financial, technical and governance reforms to strengthen the country's energy sector, $385m to improve urban infrastructure in five cities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, $235m to dualise a 222-km Shikarpur-Rajanpur section of the Indus Highway and $603m to strengthen and expand the Ehsaas programme.

In addition, agreements were also signed for two project-readiness facilities — a $5m loan for Kurram Tangi Integrated Water Resources Development Project and a $15m loan for phase two of the KP Cities Improvement Investment Project.

The economic affairs minister "expressed deep appreciation" for the ADB and thanked its president, senior management and board of directors for their "continued and enhanced financial support towards reforming energy sector, improving road networks, enhancing social protection and developing sustainable cities in Pakistan".

Khan said the $385m urban infrastructure project would help the provincial and city governments in KP to improve the liveability of five cities — Abbottabad, Kohat, Mardan, Mingora, and Peshawar — and benefit 3.5m people. Under the project, work would be done on providing water supply, sewerage, solid waste management and green infrastructure, according to the statement.

The loan would also provide institutional support to improve the performance of municipal corporations in the five cities with a focus on gender-friendly services, it added. The project also supported the government's development priorities and Prime Minister Imran Khan's vision of Clean Green Pakistan, the ministry stated.

The ADB would also finance $235m for the second phase of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Corridor Development Investment Programme under which the Shikarpur-Rajanpur section of the Indus Highway would be widened to a four-lane carriageway. The section traverses Sindh and Punjab on the western side of the Indus River via Kandhkot, Kashmore and Rojhan, according to the ministry's statement.

"The dualisation of Indus Highway (N-55) will not only boost local economic activities but also promote intra [and] inter-regional trade and movement of people by improved connectivity and reduced travel time. The section will be equipped with bus shelters, trauma centers and rest areas as well as road safety facilities," the statement quoted the minister as saying.

Regarding the Integrated Social Protection Development Programme, Khan said it would support the government's Ehsaas programme, including social protection and poverty reduction schemes.

"Kurram Tangi Integrated Water Resources Development Project is one of the top priority projects in the erstwhile FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas) which includes the construction of a dam with water storage facility, hydropower generation and construction and upgrading of irrigation system covering 140,000 hectares."

The project would help in increasing agricultural production and improving the country's food security situation.

The minister reiterated the federal government's commitment to helping all provinces, as well as, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir in achieving inclusive development and sustainable growth, the statement said.

Speaking on the occasion, ADB Vice President Shixin Chen noted that the government "continued to make progress" in implementing comprehensive economic, fiscal and structural reforms, despite the challenging situation created by the Covid-19 pandemic.

He also appreciated Pakistan's vaccination campaign against the coronavirus. The ADB had earlier this year approved a $500m loan for Pakistan to help it procure Covid-19 vaccines.

Meanwhile, ADB Director General Eugene Zhukov assured that the Bank would continue supporting the government's development projects and it "stands committed to support Pakistan for a green, resilient and sustainable recovery".

"The financial support will strengthen Pakistan's economy and reduce the risk of external economic shocks," ADB Country Director Yong Ye said.



from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/32iZx6i

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Study in UK with Studyinuk.pk

Image
 Study in UK with Studyinuk.pk Study in UK with studyinuk.pk is a platform where your get all the latest information about Study in UK. www.studyinuk.pk is providing quality services for students to get UK admission and UK study visa. for more information about Study in UK , Scholarships in UK, Study in uk without IELTS please visit our website  www.studyinuk.pk . 
Read more

Tesla pulls games on moving car screens after US safety probe

Image
Electric carmaker Tesla Inc will stop allowing video games to be played on vehicle screens while its cars are moving, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on Thursday. The move follows an announcement by the NHTSA on Wednesday that it had opened a formal safety investigation on 580,000 Tesla vehicles sold since 2017 over the automaker's decision to allow games to be played on the front center touchscreen while they are in motion. This functionality, referred to as “Passenger Play,” may distract the driver and increase the risk of a crash, the NHTSA has said. Tesla has informed the NHTSA that a software update will lock the "Passenger Play" feature and make it unusable when the vehicle is in motion, a spokesperson for the agency said in a statement. "The NHTSA constantly assesses how manufacturers identify and safeguard against distraction hazards that may arise due to faults, misuse, or intended use of convenience technologies, including i
Read more

Sania Mirza to quit tennis this year

Image
Indian former doubles world number one Sania Mirza said on Wednesday she will retire from tennis at the end of this season with injuries taking their toll. It came after the 35-year-old, regarded as her country's greatest women's tennis player, bowed out of the Australian Open in the first round with her partner Nadiia Kichenok of Ukraine. “I have decided this will be my last season. I'm taking it week by week, not sure if I can last the season, but I want to,” she told press in Melbourne, in comments later confirmed to AFP by her father. “I still feel I can play well, go deep into tournaments and all that. But beyond this season, I don't see my body do it either. It's beat.” Mirza, who has won six Grand Slam doubles titles, is paired with America's Rajeev Ram in the mixed doubles at the Australian Open. They play on Thursday in the first round. Mirza, who is married to former Pakistan cricket captain Shoaib Malik, last won a women's doubles title at
Read more

Petrol may go up by Rs25, HSD by Rs40

Image
The federal government is mulling over a plan to cut subsidies on petroleum products in phases -- Rs25 per litre on petrol and Rs40 per litre on high speed diesel (HSD) in the first one -- in a bid to reduce the volume of the mounting price differential claims. The prices of petrol and high speed diesel (HSD) will jump up to Rs195 per litre and Rs230 per litre respectively, if the federal government withdraws all the subsidies on them at once. The subsidies on petroleum products continue to swell because of higher global oil prices and depreciation of the local currency against the US dollar that may lead to a higher budget deficit. In addition, the government is also facing problems of balance of payment and wants to avail the International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout package. Sources said that government is currently giving a subsidy of Rs29.60 per litre on petrol. This volume may rise by Rs45.14 per litre if the government continues to keep the oil prices unchanged from the 16
Read more

Study in the UK Without IELTS: Your Pathway with Study Icon Murree Consultancy

Image
  Study in the UK Without IELTS Study in the UK Without IELTS: Your Pathway with Study Icon Murree Consultancy   Navigating the world of international education often brings up questions about language proficiency tests. The good news? For those eyeing the UK, there's a way to sidestep the traditional IELTS requirement. Dive into this expert guide to discover how Study Icon Murree Consultancy can be your bridge to UK universities without the IELTS hassle.   WhyStudy in the UK? Global Recognition: UK degrees are globally respected, opening doors to international career opportunities. Diverse Courses: From business to arts, the UK offers a myriad of courses tailored to diverse interests. Cultural Exposure: Immerse in the UK's rich history, modern cities, and diverse culture while pursuing your studies.   How Can You Study Without IELTS? While many UK universities require IELTS scores, several institutions offer exemptions based on: ·          Previous ac
Read more

New on Sports Illustrated: Looking Back at Nick Saban's Impact on LSU

Image
In an excerpt from 100 Things LSU Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die, Ross Dellenger and Ron Higgins look back at Nick Saban's coaching career with the Tigers ahead of his induction into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in December 2020. The following excerpt of 100 Things LSU Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die, by Ross Dellenger and Ron Higgins, is presented with permission from Triumph Books. For more information or to order a copy, please visit Triumph Books , Bookshop.org , Amazon or Barnes & Noble . When Nick Saban arrived in Tuscaloosa by private plane in January 2007 after agreeing to become Alabama’s coach, he was mobbed by adoring fans. But when he arrived in Baton Rouge in late November 1999, at his introductory press conference announcing him as LSU’s coach, the reception was “Who’s Nick Saban, and why is LSU paying him $1.2 million a year?” “I couldn’t believe the response and the attitude people had toward me,” Saban said. “I felt like there we
Read more

FIA files case against Jahangir Tareen in sugar scam, money laundering

Image
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has filed two FIRs against Jahangir Tareen and two other family members in sugar scandal and money laundering charges, on Wednesday. FIA Lahore registered cases against CEO of JWD Sugar Mills, Jahangir Tareen, his son Ali Tareen and son-in-law in the sugar scam. “Over three billion rupees money laundering made by showing investment in a closed factory,” according to the FIR. The investigation agency has also charged Tareen and others for illegal hoarding of sugar, misappropriation and cheating in the FIR. CEO of JWD Sugar Mills in an act of forgery transferred 3.14 billion rupees to a closed company, the FIR read. “In year 2011-12 over three billion rupees were transferred to Farooqi Pulp Milk Ltd,” according to the case. In year 2011-12 Tareen and family members also purchased dollars from the open market. His nominees transferred over seven million dollars to overseas for purchase of properties,” according to the FIR. The FIA in another
Read more

Apple unveil one or more new iPhones which use ultrafast 5G wireless technology

Image
A media event for October 13 amid expectations it would unveil one or more new iPhones which use ultrafast 5G wireless technology. The event comes a month after Apple disappointed some fans with a September event which unveiled new service bundles but no new smartphone. Apple, which has habitually unveiled new iPhones ahead of the holiday season, has said supply chain disruptions due to the pandemic have delayed its plans for product launches by several weeks. A notice posted on Apple's website offer no specific clues but included the message, “Hi, Speed,” in an apparent reference to the faster wireless networks being introduced in many parts of the world. Across the board we are seeing an uptick around production and pent up demand for the slate of iPhone 12 models (expecting 4 new models) set to be unveiled next week in this launch event,” said Daniel Ives at Wedbush Securities. Ives said he is expects strong demand for the new handsets with consumers looking to upgrade ol
Read more

PM Imran Khan launches spring tree plantation drive

Image
Prime Minister Imran Khan launched Spring Tree Plantation Drive 2022 in Islamabad today (Tuesday) on the occasion of World Scout Day. Following planting 1.4 billion trees under ten billion tree Tsunami program, a target of planting five hundred and forty million trees has been set for the spring tree plantation campaign. Seven hundred and fifty thousand scouts of Pakistan Boy Scouts Association will also participate in this drive to achieve the target. from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/PGbvLst
Read more

Abandoning Afghanistan peace process for any reason would be a great travesty: PM Khan

Image
Warning the world that a hasty international withdrawal from Afghanistan will be unwise, Prime Minister Imran Khan said abandoning the Afghan peace process for any reason would be "a great travesty". This was stated by the premier in an opinion piece he wrote for The Washington Post on Saturday wherein he spoke about the casualties of war suffered by Pakistan and Afghanistan. "With the exception of the resilient Afghans themselves, no people have paid a higher price for the conflict in Afghanistan than the people of Pakistan. Through decades of conflict, Pakistan has dealt with the responsibility of taking care of more than 4 million Afghan refugees," wrote PM Imran. The prime minister talked about how the war in Afghanistan disrupted Pakistan's economic trajectory and radicalised fringes of the country's society. "The Pakistan I had known growing up in the 1960s and 1970s changed in some deeply unsettling ways," he stated. PM Imran wrote abo
Read more