LAHORE: A new chapter of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Authority in Punjab has commenced, as Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz launched five major road projects under the PPP model.
The Chief Minister digitally inaugurated these infrastructure projects, handing over their management and administration to the private sector. The shift is expected to generate Rs 22 billion in revenue for the Punjab government.
The five road projects transferred to the private sector include:
Muridke–Narowal Road
Shakargarh–Narowal Road
Faisalabad Ring Road
Faisalabad–Sahianwala Road
Faisalabad–Samundri–Rajana Road
Modernized electronic toll plazas will be constructed along these routes. Under the agreement between the Punjab government and the private operators, the private sector will be responsible for collecting revenue, as well as handling road maintenance and repairs, for a seven-year period.
Briefing on the initiative, Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb noted that several other projects are also in the pipeline under the PPP framework.
Beyond road infrastructure, upcoming projects will cover hostels, hospitals, parks, sports grounds, waste-to-energy plants, and industrial wastewater treatment facilities.
She added that parking plazas, tourism development, water supply, recycling plants, a Giraffe Café, and a food street are also planned.
To boost efficiency, the project processing duration has been slashed from two years to just six months. Additionally, four more key roads will soon be transitioned to the PPP model:
Bahawalpur–Yazman Road
Yazman–Ahmedpur East Road
Raiwind–Changa Manga Road
Gajjumata–Kasur Road
