| E D I T O R I A L |
|
| Karakoram Highway Maintenance |
 KKH
is not only life line for the inhabitants of Northern Areas but is
also a very important strategic route of the area. The KKH constantly
experiences landslides, mudflows and avalanches, which damage the
road. To keep the road open under such conditions entails a colossal
effort by FWO. Structure works pertaining to retaining and breast
walls have been executed. Besides routine maintenance, slide clearance
due to heavy rains and emergent repair work is in progress. DG FWO
Maj Gen Asif Ali visited the project during this quarter. He was briefed
on the progress of the maintenance work undertaken by FWO troops.
|
| Jalkhad-Gittidas Road |
 The
work on this project is underway. The progress of the work has been
hampered due to limited working season available i.e. heavy rainfall
in the project area. DG FWO visited the project during this quarter. |
| Rehabilitation / Improvement of Torkhan-Jalalabad Road Project Afghanistan |
Government of Pakistan is committed to enhance the economic development of its brotherly muslim neighbour Afghanistan. Pakistan is paying special attention to develop land link between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Government of Pakistan has issued a special directive to develop this link. The project was awarded to FWO in June 2005. The road starts approximately 1 KM inside Pakistan border town of Torkham and ends at the out skirts of Jalalabad. Jalalabad lies in Nangarhar Province. Total length of project is 75 KM.
DG FWO visited the project twice during this
quarter and got briefing on the progress of the project. The work
on this project is in full swing and will be completed within stipulated
time. |
| Infrastructure, services and development for Sector G-13 Islamabad |
 Development
of infrastructure/services for G-13 sector Islamabad was awarded to
FWO by CDA in July 2004. The work on this project is progressing well.
So far 38% progress has been achieved. |
| Diversified Projects |
| Laying of Optical Fibre Cable from Shinkiari to Dassu (KKH) |
| FWO has diversified its efforts towards the new field i.e. telecommunication. NTC/ PTCL has awarded this project to FWO in Dec 2004. 101 KM cable has been laid. So far 55.50% progress has been achieved. |
| Access Road Dubair Khwar Hyrdopower Project |
| FWO was awarded this project by WAPDA in Aug 2004, with an estimated cost of Rs. 182.299 Million. The length of this project is 12.1 KM. The work on this project has been completed during this quarter. |
| Access Road Allai Khwar Hydropower Project |
| This project was awarded to FWO by WAPDA in Nov 2004. The road is located at RD191, (short of Thakot Bridge) on KKH. It originates from Thakot Bazar and leads towards upstream Indus River. Total length of the road is 9.1 KM. The work on this project is progressing very well, so far 85% progress has been achieved. |
| Dera Ismail Khan - Mughalkot Road (N-50) Project |
 This
project was awarded to FWO by NHA in Mar 2000 with an estimated cost
of Rs. 2237.721 Million. The existing road was a single lane carriageway,
which was mostly washed away and now it is being upgraded to two-lane
carriageway. Out of 124 KM of road, 118 KM has been completed and
is open for traffic. Earthwork and sub base has been completed in
rest of portion. Four bridges have been completed and the work on
remaining two bridges is in progress. The work is progressing well
and will be completed within the given time frame. |
| Construction of Railway Embankment from Lodhran to Khanewal via Multan |
 Railway
Track from Peshawar to Karachi was laid before independence. Till
2002 Pakistan Railways kept on pulling along with the old railway
tracks inspite of difficulty faced by the passengers in shape of rush
and delays. Realising the present and future needs, Government of
Pakistan, has taken the decision to dualize the track from Lodhran-to-Khanewal
via Multan Cantt. This project was won by FWO in May 2003 in open
bidding. The total length of the track is 119 KM. The work on this
project is progressing well and will be completed within the given
time frame. |
| Improvment and Upgradation of Nuttal - Sibi Road (N-65) Project |
 The
work on this project started in Apr 2000 with revised estimated cost
of Rs. 1575.536 Million. It is a dual carriageway of 86 KM, 5 KM Sibi
Bypass has been included to have smooth flow of traffic. A new carriageway
is under construction along with the existing carriageway, with a
view to convert it into 4 lane road at later stage. The work on this
project is in full swing and will be completed within given time.
|
| Development & Rehabilitation of Road from Mai Kolachi to Sub Marine Chowk |
 Work
on development and rehabilitation of road from Mai Kolachi to Submarine
Chowk started in Dec 2004. The project included widening of 4.5 KM
Mai Kolachi road and construction of underpass at Boat Basin and Schon
Circle. The project is located in urban area where there is a complicated
utility services network. It had hampered the work to a great extent.
It was decided by FWO, NESPAK and KPT that the work on underpass at
Schon Circle should be undertaken. DG FWO visited the project number
of times and saw the progress of the project. Being the hub of the
commercial activities it is the most busy spot of the city. Keeping
in view the convenience of commuters, FWO opened this underpass well
before its completion time. Minister of Ports and Shipping Senator
Babar Ghori inaugurated this underpass on 1 Oct 2005. |
| Project Under Acquisition |
|
| Lahore - Sheikhupura - Faisalabad DCW (BOT-2) Project | |
 LAFCO
(Pvt) Ltd formed by a consortium of leading construction companies;
Frontier Works Organisation (FWO); Khalid Rauf & Co (Pvt) Ltd;
Habib Rafiq (Pvt) Ltd and Sachal Engineering Works; has undertaken
the first Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) project in Pakistan. Construction
work started in Apr 2004 from Lahore to Faisalabad. LAFCO has initially
widened and repaired the existing side right carriageway for smooth
flow of traffic during the construction of left side carriageway.
This carriageway will be 115.5 KMs long having four lanes on both
sides at an approximate cost of Rs. 4 Billion. Maintenance and operation
of this road will remain with LAFCO for 25 years.The road connects two industrial cities Lahore and Faisalabad through shortest route via Sheikhupura. The work on the project is in full swing and left side carriageway of Lahore-Sheikhupura has been opened for traffic in Dec 2004. DG FWO visited the project on 28 July 2005. He was given comprehensive briefing about latest progress of the project. So far progress achieved is 82%. |
|
| Infrastructure Development Works of LDA Avenue - 1 Housing Scheme Lahore | |
| The work on the project of infrastructure development of housing scheme LDA started in Nov 2004 with an estimated cost of Rs. 2.544 Billion. The work on the project is in full swing and will be completed in the stipulated time frame. | |
| Operation and Management of Motorway | |
 FWO
was entrusted with the task of Operation and Management of Motorway.
The task assigned to FWO include Collection of Toll, Rescue service,
Recovery of vehicles and General cleanliness of Motorway. |
|
| Operation and Management of Lahore - Faisalabad (BOT Project) | |
 FWO
has taken over the responsibility of toll collection at five toll
plazas of Lahore-Faisalabad BOT project. The scope of services of
assigned task of Operation and Management BOT Project (Road Lahore
– Faisalabad); are collection of toll; recovery of vehicles;
evacuation of sick and wounded. |
|
| Laying of Fiber Optic Cable Connectivity between Islamabad - Murree |  |
| FWO was awarded the project by PTCL with an estimated cost of Rs. 24.941 Million. The work on the project is in full swing and progress achieved so far is 30.564%. | |
| Fiber Optic Cable Connectivity between Peshawar - Landikotal |  |
| This project was assigned to FWO by PTCL with an estimated cost of Rs. 13.084 Million. The work on this project started in Nov 2004 and will be completed within given time. Progress so far achieved is 52%. | |
| Digital Communication Uplift Phase II Project in AJ&K Areas | |
| Special Communication Organisation
awarded this project to FWO with an estimated cost of Rs. 80.470 Million.
The work on the project started in Dec 2004. So far progress achieved
is 50.484%. |
|
| Quarterly Group Commanders Conference | ||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||
| At the end of each quarter a group commanders conference is held to discuss policy matters and progress achieved on various projects. Any problems faced by groups in execution of projects are also discussed. This is also an occasion for setting targets and chalking out strategies for the future. It is attended by Group commanders and staff officers of the Headquarter FWO. Conference was held on 18 Aug 2005. DG FWO Maj Gen Asif Ali chaired this conference. | ||||||||||||||||
| Defence Day of Pakistan | ||||||||||||||||
6 September is a day, which reminds us of one of the most glorious chapter of the history of our country. This is a day, which demonstrates the combined spirit, steadfastness and determination of the people and Armed Forces of Pakistan who taught a lesson to a much bigger enemy, trying to invade this sacred land.
Armed Forces celebrated this occasion by arranging an Askari mela at Rawalpindi. FWO established a stall, in the Army Engineers pavilion in the Askari Mela at Race Course Ground. A large number of people visited this stall where they were shown achievements of FWO; through films and publications; which were highly appreciated by all. A Bara-khana was also held at this occasion at HQ Company FWO on 06 Sep 2005. |
||||||||||||||||
| Departure and Arrivals | ||||||||||||||||
| During this quarter a number of officers have been posted out or retired from Army after their duties with FWO. | ||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
| Ground Breaking Ceremony of Wateen Telecom Long Haul Optical Transmission | ||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||
| Ground breaking ceremony of Wateen Telecom Long Haul Optical Transmission was done by DG FWO Maj Gen Asif Ali which was held at Ternol, Rawalpindi on 24 Sep 05. The Ground Breaking ceremonies were held simultaneously in Lahore, Multan and Karachi. Total length of this project is 5427 KM with an estimated cost of worth Rs. 1524 Million and this project will be completed within 16 months. In keeping with the traditions and professional commitments FWO will continue its endeavour to achieve excellent quality and on time completion of this project. The advent of Wateen in Pakistan will surely instil greater dynamism in our vibrant economy. | ||||||||||||||||
| Promotions | ||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
| Visits | ||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
| Tree Plantation | ||||||||||||||||
 The
Monsoon tree plantation drive was inaugurated by DG FWO Maj Gen Asif
Ali by planting a sapling in the lawns of Engineer Officers Mess on
05 September 2005. FWO is very conscious of this important national
responsibility and each year thousands of trees are planted in the
project areas throughout the country. |
||||||||||||||||
| Construction Machinery Training Institute (CMTI) | ||||||||||||||||
During this quarter following opening and closing ceremonies of the different courses were held:- Opening Ceremonies Closing Ceremonies |
||||||||||||||||
| Visits of Delegations | ||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
| 58th Independence Day of Pakistan | ||||||||||||||||
 Like
other civil and government organisations FWO has also taken part in
the Independence Day celebrations by illuminating its buildings and
flag hoisting ceremony at HQ FWO. An exhibition was arranged at Ayub
National Park on 14 Aug 2005. FWO established a stall, in the Army
Engineers pavilion. A large number of people visited this stall where
they were shown achievements of FWO; through films and photographs;
which were highly appreciated by all. |
||||||||||||||||
| Note: | ||||||||||||||||
During the preparation / writing of this newsletter a massive earthquake jolted the northern areas of Pakistan and AJK. Balakot, Muzaffarabad and Neelam Valley areas were badly affected. Communication, infrastructure, roads, electric power, water and telephone system had been destroyed. The most prestigious accommodation in Islamabad, The Margalla Tower was also destroyed in this earthquake. Frontier Works Organisation started rescue, relief and road clearance operation voluntarily. FWO was the first government organisation to reach Margalla Towers within two hours of the earthquake. Frontier Works Organisation opened Rawalpindi Muzaffarabad road in less than 24 hours. The detailed account of earthquake rescue and relief operation by FWO will be reflected in next newsletter. |
MAG
Mr. Salah Uddin visited HQ FWO on 8 July 2005. During his visit
MAG met with DG FWO Maj Gen Asif Ali in his office and discussed
matters of mutual interest.
DG
FWO Maj Gen Asif Ali visited HQ Company FWO on 13 Aug 2005.
During his visit the DG inspected the residential blocks and
offices and showed his satisfaction. 
Construction
Machinery Training Institute (CMTI) is the only institute of its
kind in Pakistan. This institute trains students in the planning
and technical know how and use of construction machinery and computers.
The students include Pakistani as well as foreign students. The
institute conducts regular courses covering different aspects of
construction machinery and computer training at different levels
of competence.