IPDF proposes to transfer 20 projects from PSDP

Islamabad: The Infrastructure Project Development Facility (IPDF) has sent a proposal to the government to transfer around 20 infrastructure development projects worth Rs 165 billion from Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) and IPDF would complete these projects by involving the private sector.

'We have sent a summary to the Prime Minister with a proposal to transfer to IPDF over 20 projects in various sectors as it would save a huge amount. The government, which is facing various challenges on economic front, will be greatly relieved,' disclosed the Head of IPDF, Ghulam Murtaza Satti, while chairing a meeting here on Thursday.

These projects include construction of IT Parks in Islamabad and Karachi, up gradation of PIMS Hospital in Islamabad, construction of Rawalpindi Bypass, development of Leh Nullah Express Way, Faisalabad-Khanewal Expressway, Peshawar-Torkham Highway, JPMC Karachi Medical Tower etc.

Murtaza Satti, who was appointed IPDF head last week by the PPP government, disclosed that the proposal has been moved on the special directives of PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari who is taking special interest in accelerating infrastructural development activities.

The government presently facing a critical time due to rising inflation and prices of oil and other commodities, has allocated Rs 165 billion for these projects, out of the total Rs 540 billion PSDP funds earmarked for the financial year 2008-09. However, if these projects were transferred to IPDF, it would provide a major relief to the government by involving private sector's financing, remarked Murtaza Satti.

He urged the government's economic managers to intensify co-operation and co-ordination with the IPDF as by executing these projects under the PPP framework would not only fetch private sector's investments but also improve the living standards through increased economic activities in addition to benefits to the agriculture sector.

He explained that PPP modality is a framework under which the government agency, IPDF, is attracting foreign as well as local financing from the private sector in various mega infrastructural development projects.

This concept was initiated in UK and now most of the developed states have adopted this option that subsequently has led to the record development in all sectors in these countries, Satti said. Quoting the case of Australia, Canada, UK, USA, Egypt and India, the IPDF chief said that these countries are successfully executing multiple projects especially in education, transportation, health and social development sectors through public-private partnership.