Tag: NHA

  • National Highway Authority increases toll tax

    The National Highway Authority (NHA) has issued a notification on increase in toll tax.

    According to the notification, toll tax for cars has been increased from Rs 30 to Rs 40, for wagons from Rs 50 to Rs 70, and for buses from Rs 100 to Rs 130.

    The toll tax for articulated trucks has been increased from Rs 250 to Rs 350, an increase of Rs 100.

    The toll tax on the Lahore to Abdul Hakeem Motorway (M3) has been increased to Rs 500 for cars, Rs 750 for wagons, and Rs 2,500 for trucks.

    On the Faisalabad to Multan Motorway (M4), the toll tax for cars has been increased to Rs 650, for wagons to Rs 1,000, and for trucks to Rs 3,200.

    The toll tax on the M5 motorway has been fixed at Rs 900 for cars, Rs 1,300 for wagons, and Rs 4,500 for trucks.

  • ‘Possible short circuit’, Police launch investigation into Gujjar Khan church fire

    ‘Possible short circuit’, Police launch investigation into Gujjar Khan church fire

    The Punjab government has initiated a thorough investigation into the burning of a church in Gujjar Khan, The News reported on Monday. 

    However, police of that specific location didn’t register a first information report (FIR) of the case.

    Investigators explained that the church had been constructed on land owned by the National Highway Authority (NHA) many years ago. NHA authorities themselves erected a building measuring 12 marlas on Kaliam Road approximately 25 years ago and relocated the church there.

    They also said that Gujjar Khan Church had been empty for more than 12 years. The elders of the Christian community started Sunday services at Kaliam Road Church peacefully around 10 years ago. A preliminary investigation report has been sent to the Punjab Home Office, but it hasn’t identified any particular group or person involved.

    Regional Police Officer (RPO), Rawalpindi Region, Babar Sarfaraz Alpa, when contacted to obtain his version about the occurrence, said, “The police recovered nothing yet except that the fire erupted due to a short circuit. However, the police have not given up the probe.” The investigators have collected forensic evidence and examined it, but have gotten no clue so far, the RPO concluded.

    Dr. Majeed Abel, the Executive Secretary of the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan, urged authorities to uncover and disclose what happened to the church. He demanded that those responsible be held accountable under the law.

  • APCC likely to propose Rs900-1,000 billion macroeconomic framework for budget 2023-24

    APCC likely to propose Rs900-1,000 billion macroeconomic framework for budget 2023-24

    The Annual Plan Coordination Committee (APCC) is poised to recommend a substantial macroeconomic framework and the size of the federal development outlay amounting to approximately Rs900-1,000 billion for the fiscal year 2023-24. This recommendation comes ahead of the upcoming budget and is expected to shape the economic policies and priorities of the country for the next fiscal year.

    In an effort to address the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the government plans to allocate Rs90 billion for the controversial Sustainable Development Goals Achievement Programme (SAP) specifically designed for parliamentarians. This proposed allocation is a significant increase from the revised estimates of Rs111 billion allocated in the outgoing financial year.

    Moreover, the government is currently working towards raising the allocation of the SDG Achievement Programme even further, aiming to reach Rs116 billion for the ongoing fiscal year. Notably, parliamentarians from Balochistan and Sindh provinces have primarily presented flood-related schemes under this program during the current fiscal year. The World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB) are also contributing $3 billion in loans for flood-related initiatives, highlighting the need to establish mechanisms that prevent overlap and ensure optimal utilization of funds.

    A substantial portion of the development schemes in Sindh and Balochistan, ranging from 50 to 60 per cent, focused on flood-related projects during the outgoing financial year. However, concerns have been raised about one political party, a significant ally of the ruling coalition, demanding that funds on behalf of their parliamentarians be channeled through the party’s political leader for distribution among its members.

    According to The News, the APCC, scheduled to meet today in the Ministry of Planning, will consider approving the macroeconomic framework, which includes a targeted real GDP growth rate of 3.5 per cent and a Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based inflation rate of 21 per cent for the budget of 2023-24. These figures are based on a working paper prepared by the Ministry of Planning and reflect the government’s economic outlook and goals for the upcoming fiscal year.

    The Ministry of Finance has provided an indicative budget ceiling of Rs700 billion for the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) in the next budget. However, the Minister for Planning, under the guidance of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, aspires to increase this amount to Rs800 billion. Additionally, a proposed allocation of Rs200 billion for the Viability Gap Fund (VGF) through public-private partnerships (PPP) would bring the total PSDP size to a proposed Rs1,000 billion at the federal level for the upcoming financial year.

    In an effort to address infrastructure needs, the share of the National Highway Authority (NHA) in the proposed PSDP is expected to decrease, ranging from Rs90 billion to Rs100 billion, due to the NHA’s inability to fully utilise the allocated funds in the ongoing financial year. The government is also considering allocations for flood mitigation and reconstruction efforts, as well as the inclusion of the Diamer Basha Dam project in the upcoming budget for 2023-24.

    As the APCC finalises its recommendations and the budgetary process unfolds, the government aims to strike a balance between addressing developmental needs, achieving SDGs, and ensuring efficient utilization of funds for the benefit of the nation.

  • Islamabad Traffic Police to take strict action against motorists using HIDs, LEDs

    Islamabad Traffic Police to take strict action against motorists using HIDs, LEDs

    The Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) has once again decided to take stern action against motorists who use High-Intensity Discharge (HID) and Light-Emitting Diodes (LED) while driving.

    As per the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Traffic, Rai Mazhar Iqbal, the decision was taken on the orders of IGP (Islamabad) Muhammad Ahsan Younis to provide a safe driving environment in the federal capital and reduce accidents.

    Special squads have been formed to monitor motorists’ use of LED and HID lights. Police pickets will be set up along major thoroughfares such as the Expressway, Srinagar highway (Kashmir Highway), Margalla Road, IJP Road, Murree Road, 7th Avenue, and 9th Avenue.

    This campaign will be led by night shift in-charges to prevent the use of high beam lights and LED/HID lights, while an education wing will inform the public about the dangers of using these lights.

    Read more: Lahore Police arrested 648 dacoits, recovering more than Rs27 crore in three months

    Special broadcasts on ITP’s dedicated FM Radio 92.4 will also educate drivers about the dangers of utilising these lights. The SSP Traffic has urged citizens to help Islamabad police to ensure a safe road environment.