ISLAMABAD: The federal government has emphasized the critical importance of the Sukkur-Hyderabad-Karachi motorway project for Pakistan’s economic future, while also announcing significant reductions in electricity tariffs for millions of consumers, officials informed the National Assembly on Thursday.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb described the motorway as a vital economic link, ensuring seamless connectivity between major southern cities. He affirmed the government’s commitment to completing the project by securing foreign funding or allocating resources through the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).
Supporting this priority, Minister of State for Planning Chaudhry Armaghan Subhani assured lawmakers that the project would be featured prominently in the upcoming PSDP, with construction set to begin within the year.
The Assembly also received updates on electricity pricing, with Power Minister Sardar Awais Leghari revealing a 56% reduction in tariffs since June 2023 for 18 million domestic consumers using less than 200 units monthly. Domestic and agricultural users have seen a 20% overall decrease, while industrial users benefited from a 31% cut.
Leghari expressed confidence that Pakistan will become a competitive energy supplier in the region within 12 to 18 months, citing a current surplus of 7,000 megawatts and ongoing talks to further reduce industrial energy costs.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhary highlighted the improved international perception of Pakistan following its strong response to Indian aggression, along with government efforts to improve the country’s passport ranking and celebrate record remittances from overseas Pakistanis.
On social issues, Parliamentary Secretary for Human Rights Saba Sadiq announced the imminent appointment of the National Commission on the Status of Women chairperson. She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting women’s rights, particularly those of vulnerable groups, through close collaboration with stakeholders at all levels.
The National Assembly is scheduled to resume its session at 11 a.m. on Friday.