Quetta: Delay in execution of 1 Billion rupees worth Ziarat Gas Supply and Development project has put question marks on efficiency of Planning and Development (P&D) Department of Balochistan.
P&D Department is responsible for planning the provincial and federal development projects for Balochistan.
Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif, had announced a package of Rs. 1 billion for Ziarat for supply of Gas and other development activities in National Economic Council (NEC) meeting, held on 1st June 2015.
P&D department submitted PC-1 of the project on 19th April 2016 after a period of almost 11 months after announcement.
Read also: Severe Punishment for Government Officers Responsible for Lapse of Funds: ACS
Experts believe that the amount of Rs. 1 billion which could have been released by federal Government in fiscal year 2015-16 will now be released in 2016-17.
According to the copies of PC-1 documents of Ziarat Project available with Balochistan Voices, an amount of 390.85 million has been reserved for Gas Supply and Rs. 115 million for Juniper Eco system conservation.
The submitted PC-1 of this project also comprises of projects of construction of Auditoriums, Sports Stadiums and Hiking track which will cost over Rs. 105 million collectively.
These projects are not related to the main purpose of the Ziarat project which was to preserve Juniper forests in the district by extending Gas supply.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was also not consulted by P&D department before submitting the PC-1 of the project.
Sources in P&D department denied all the aforementioned allegations when contacted by Balochistan Voices.
“Projects such as Stadium and hiking track were included in the PC-1 because this entire project is for development of Ziarat Town not just for protection of Juniper forests,” claimed the source.
Same source also contended that there was no need to consult EPA on this matter because this project is meant for protection of the environment.
However, Pakistan Environment Protection Act 1997 makes it clear that EPA has to be consulted in any project which affects the environment, irrespective of the nature of project.
Lately, P&D department has been under criticism for failing to develop effective Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) for the Province.
Couple of days back, Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) of P&D department was abruptly replaced.
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