Work begins on DG Khan airport expansion, Rs5.5 billion project due January 2028

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Energy Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari has said that work has begun on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s announcement to upgrade Dera Ghazi Khan Airport for international flights. The airport expansion project, costing Rs5.5 billion, will be completed in January 2028.

He was speaking during a review of the DG Khan airport expansion project. He said teams of the Civil Aviation Authority were working on the project and progress was continuing on various matters, including the extension of the runway. The federal minister also inspected the runway extension work.

He said upgrading the airport for international flights would provide travel facilities to the people of the area and create new opportunities for development and prosperity in South Punjab.

Four projects for DG Khan

According to the federal minister, the prime minister had announced four major projects for the development of DG Khan. These include the expansion of the airport, the establishment of a cancer hospital, a long-term sewerage project, and the expansion and widening of roads.

The sewerage project is being prepared keeping in view the needs of the next 50 years, while improving and widening roads will make travel easier for citizens. The completion of these projects will improve basic facilities in DG Khan.

Load-shedding and electricity theft

Speaking about load-shedding in the country, he said it was being carried out according to a fixed plan. According to him, difficulties in the supply and availability of gas caused by the Iran-US war were affecting the cost of power generation, and this had created problems of generating electricity from expensive sources.

He said the government was introducing modern technology to control electricity theft and line losses. APMS is being installed on transformers across the country. Its purpose is to identify electricity theft and take effective action in the areas concerned.

The federal minister said that through this system, transformers in specific areas with electricity theft could be identified and, where necessary, shut off. This would ensure that thousands of consumers on an entire feeder are not affected by action against those stealing electricity. He said this would help prevent electricity theft, reduce line losses and improve the distribution system.

Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari made it clear that load-shedding would continue on feeders with losses of 30 per cent or more, and that no concession would be given to those who steal electricity or do not pay their bills.

The federal minister expressed the resolve that the completion of the ongoing projects would bring marked improvement in travel facilities, public health, drainage and road infrastructure in the area.

Earlier, the Project Director of the Civil Aviation Authority briefed the federal minister on the airport expansion project and presented him with a shield. As part of the tree plantation campaign, the federal minister also planted a sapling and offered a prayer.

Member of the National Assembly Sardar Ammar Leghari, Member of the Provincial Assembly Ali Yousuf Leghari, and former members of the provincial assembly Sardar Yousuf Leghari and Aleem Shah were also present on the occasion.