Key Takeaways
- Federal Minister Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari announced the airport expansion project.
- The Rs5.5 billion project aims to complete by January 2028.
- Upgrading the airport will provide travel facilities and boost regional development.
Federal Minister for Power Division Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari has confirmed that work to upgrade DG Khan Airport for international flights has commenced. The project, which involves a Rs5.5 billion expansion, is expected to be completed by January 2028.
During a visit to the airport, Leghari inspected the runway extension work and reviewed the progress, according to a ministry statement. He highlighted that teams from the Civil Aviation Authority are actively involved in the project, including the extension of the runway.
Lehari emphasized that the airport upgrade will provide travel facilities to the people of the area and create new opportunities for development and prosperity in south Punjab. He noted that the prime minister has announced four major development projects for DG Khan, including airport expansion, a cancer hospital, a long-term sewerage project, and the widening and rehabilitation of road networks.
The sewerage project is being designed to cater to the region’s requirements for the next 50 years, while improved, wider roads will ensure smoother commuting. The completion of these initiatives will significantly enhance civic amenities and accelerate regional development, he said.
Regarding loadshedding, Leghari stated that it is being carried out as per a scheduled plan. He explained that gas supply and availability issues, due to the Iran-US war, are affecting power generation costs, leading to reliance on expensive sources. He added that the government is introducing modern technology to curb power theft and line losses, including the installation of an Anti-Power Theft Management System (APMS) on transformers across the country.
Lehari explained that APMS will identify specific transformers in high-theft areas, enabling targeted disconnections so that thousands of paying consumers on an entire feeder are not penalised for the actions of electricity thieves. This modern system will curtail power theft, minimise line losses, and optimise the electricity distribution network.
He said that loadshedding would continue on feeders with 30% or higher losses and there would be no leniency for electricity thieves and chronic defaulters.
