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ISLAMABAD, Jan 17 (APP):Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Friday chaired a review meeting with the Public-Private Partnership Authority (P3A) to evaluate progress on key public interest projects.
Representatives from various ministries including Petroleum division, National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination, National Food Security & Research, CDA, NHA and SIFC attended the meeting, a news release said.
The minister directed DG Pakistan Airports Authority to expedite the outsourcing process for airports.
The minister also instructed the Secretary of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) to prepare a focused agenda to review the timelines of projects signed with investment-friendly countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Azerbaijan.
He emphasized “Foreign investment can be efficiently harnessed by developing bankable commercial propositions targeted at export expansion, which will significantly benefit Pakistan. The strategic mission of SIFC must be achieved in its true spirit.”
While discussing opportunities for earning revenue from public land, the minister directed relevant officials to make commercialization plan for railway stations land. “Developed countries in the world have turned their railways stations into malls and big sources of revenue. We are still preserving the 20th century’s colonial model of railways.”
He stated that railway stations could be turned into an effective source of revenue by providing public-use entertainment and shopping facilities.
The minister also instructed relevant officials to make actionable plans for reviving religious and cultural tourism to Gandhara region and Kartarpur corridor.
The meeting concluded with the minister’s direction to each ministry to submit three priority projects requiring P3A funding.