Finance minister urges early completion of developmental projects undertaken by Pakistan in Afghanistan

Islamabad, February 25, 2014 (PPI-OT): Director General, Frontier Works Organization (FWO), Maj. Gen. M. Afzal called on Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar here today.

The Director General informed the Finance Minister that FWO has capacity, competence and human resource available to successfully undertake construction related projects in foreign countries. He informed the Finance Minister that there are opportunities for FWO to undertake projects in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Yemen in order to earn valuable foreign exchange for the country.

He said that FWO has huge potential to work even in hard areas where other international companies are reluctant to go. He added that to undertake foreign projects FWO would need sovereign guarantees and opening of foreign exchange accounts in terms of US dollars. He requested the support of the SBP and the Finance Ministry in this regard.

The Finance Minister appreciated the developmental projects undertaken by the FWO and said that recently he has visited various FWO projects including construction of Torkham-Jalalabad Highway in Afghanistan.

He said that he has urged all the concerned departments to expedite the projects undertaken by Pakistan Government in Afghanistan which will demonstrate Pakistan’s political commitment to peace and stability in our neighbouring country. The Finance Minister added that we must put Nishtar Kidney Centre Jalalabad on fast track.

The Finance Minister assured the Director General that all issues related to their foreign undertakings will be reviewed sympathetically after submission and study of formal case accompanied by feasibility studies of the proposed projects by the FWO.

He also assured the Director General that the government will facilitate FWO after consultation with all stakeholders and examining legal and constitutional requirements in this regard. The meeting was also attended by Finance Secretary, Advisor on Finance and senior officials of the Finance Ministry.

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