ISLAMABAD: The Sindh government has strongly objected to the federal government’s decision to approve a new motorway project in Punjab instead of prioritizing the long-awaited Sukkur-Hyderabad motorway. Sindh officials accused the federal government of unfair treatment and alleged that their concerns were ignored during the approval process.
According to the Sindh government, their objections were overlooked during the latest meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), where the Punjab motorway project was given the green light.
In response, Sindh authorities have decided to escalate the issue and will bring it to the attention of President Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for further action.
During the ECNEC session, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, approval was granted for the Lahore-Sahiwal-Bahawalnagar Motorway. The estimated cost of the project has significantly increased by 65%, from Rs264 billion to Rs436 billion.
The Punjab government has been asked to bear at least half of the cost, but final financial arrangements are yet to be confirmed.
Additionally, ECNEC also approved the Lahore Ring Road project and the Raiwind-Kasur interchange, which will be funded through the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP).
The Sindh government remains firm in its stance that the Sukkur-Hyderabad motorway should have been prioritized, as it is a crucial infrastructure project for the province.