Islamabad:
The World Bank is likely to provide technical assistance to the development of an integrated infrastructure timetable and socio -economic development plan for Reko DIQ and other mining places in Balochistan, sources of the Express Pakinomist told Wednesday.
They said that a World Bank Representative has accepted the Technical Aid Plan at a recent meeting of the non-medical Technical Assistant Committee (NLTAC) held by the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
NLTAC discussed a proposal from the Petroleum Department of the Ministry of Energy to seek technical support from the World Bank for the development of an integrated infrastructure Roadmap and socio -economic development plan for Reco DIQ and other mining places in Balochistan.
The meeting, chairman of the financial affairs, received a briefing from the petroleum secretary, who emphasized the need to incorporate socio -economic boost through the development of society and infrastructure, while protected environmental aspects in continuous mining.
Pakistan’s mining sector is currently at a beginning stage with very few medium-to-large scale projects. Pakistan has recently developed a harmonized legal and regulatory framework in line with international best practice, according to a source.
“There is a need to tackle environmental, social and economic aspects in all phases of mining – from exploration and extraction to the treatment and location of localities – as the proposed technical assistance is sought from the World Bank, the sources said and quoted from briefing.
The World Bank representative, the source said, stated that the proposed technical assistance would be organized by the World Bank at its own end without financial responsibility from the Pakistan government.
However, after completing plans under NLTA, all subsequent development projects can be considered either under the support of the World Bank or through the private sector according to prescribed government procedures.
The World Bank representative accepted a planning Ministry’s proposal to hire a consulting firm and the internal discussions about the matter to determine the actual requirements of experts. The petroleum secretary said the concept document was at the completion stage.
The Committee agreed to forward the request of the Petroleum Department to the World Bank of the required technical assistance. It was also agreed that the petroleum department would share the concept with a reference for consultants who would be engaged through the World Bank.
