Pakistan Early Warning Update
World Bank Pipeline Projects: Volume 7, October 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
This Bulletin is part of the periodic electronic update from the Bank Information Center (BIC) South Asia office to inform civil society about World Bank projects in Bangladesh before they are approved by the Board of Directors of the World Bank Group. This Update covers project information, organized by sectors. It is taken directly from the World Bank’s Monthly Operation Summary (MOS) for South Asia Region.
For feedback on the Early Warning Update or to subscribe, please contact:
Bank Information Center, Phone: +1-202-737 7752; Email: southasia@bicusa.org; Web: www.bicusa.org
For more information on projects listed below, please contact at the World Bank Headquarters:
Public Information Services Program, South Asia External Affairs
Benjamin Crow; Phone: (202) 473-5105; E-mail: bcrow@worldbank.org
Jan Erik Nora; Phone: (202) 458-4735; E-mail: enora@worldbank.org
MOS reports on the status of projects in the World Bank’s pipeline — from the point of identification of investment opportunities to the signing of the loan, credit or grant. After loans, credits or grants are signed, entries are dropped from the MOS. Entries are also dropped from the MOS when projects are removed from the Bank’s lending program before approval. Each entry in the MOS indicates at what stage a particular project is in the project cycle. These are underlined for convenience.
MOS, along with your country’s Country Assistance Strategy (CAS), serve as the earliest possible indicators of what projects your government and the Bank might be considering for funding. Advocacy and campaigning experience around the world on Bank projects indicates that the earlier civil society gets involved on proposed projects, the greater the likelihood for impacting them. It would be useful to understand the Bank’s Project Cycle as summarized below.
During IDENTIFICATION, both governments and the Bank are involved in analyzing development strategies for the respective country as a whole and in identifying projects that support those strategies. When the project identification is completed, the Project Information Document (PID) will be available through the World Bank’s Project Database. This is the earliest publicly-available project document and provides a summary of the Project Concept. The PID includes contact information for the Project Implementing Agency, as well as the World Bank Task Team Leader.
PREPARATION, the second stage of the cycle, is the responsibility of your government. During preparation, the technical and institutional alternatives for achieving a project's objectives are identified and discussed. Preparation usually requires feasibility studies followed by more detailed studies of the alternatives that promise to yield the most satisfactory results. The environmental assessment is usually carried out during this phase.
Project APPRAISAL, the responsibility of the Bank, provides a comprehensive review of all aspects of the project (technical, institutional, economic, and financial) and lays the foundation for implementing the project and evaluating it when completed. A Project Appraisal Document is published following this stage.
During NEGOTIATIONS, discussions are held between the Bank and the government and agreements reached are contained in the draft loan, credit or grant documents. Upon completion of negotiations, the project is then presented to the Executive Directors of the Bank for their consideration. After approval, the loan, credit or grant agreement is signed.
IMPLEMENTATION of a project usually starts after the loan, credit or grant is declared effective, which can normally be expected to take a few months after signing.
(For more information, see BIC's Tools for Activists: An Information and Advocacy Guide to the World Bank Group, pg 2-12).
Current MOS Entries for Pakistan
- Economic Management (1)
- Education (1)
- Energy and Mining (1)
- Information and Communication (1)
- Law and Justice (1)
- Social Protection (1)
- Transportation (4)
- Urban Development (1)
- Water and Sanitation (1)
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A typical entry in the MOS is presented in following order: Country; Sector; Title and project description; Stage of processing [(R)= Revised (italic text indicates a change from previous month; (N)= New]; Environmental Assessment Category; Project ID, a unique Bank control number for each project, appears in the MOS when the Project Information Document is available; Amount of loan, credit or grant (US$ millions); Name, address, phone, fax, E-mail address, and name and title of contact person of implementing agency.
Economic Management
Economic Stabilization Support
The objective is to support the Government's efforts to regain and maintain macroeconomic stability. The operation supports policy measures Government is to take in the remaining months 2007/2008 to reduce the macroeconomic imbalances. This project is no longer in the lending program. Further reporting will be discontinued. Environmental Assessment Category U. US$ 300.0/85.0 (IBRD/IDA). No consultants are required. Ministry of Finance, Government of Pakistan., Q Block, Pakistan Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan, Tel: (92-51) 920-2373, Fax: (92-51) 920-1857, Contact: Mr. Farrakh Qayyum, Finance Secretary, Ministry of Finance
Education
Higher Education Support Program
The objective is to support the Government of Pakistan's higher Education medium term Development framework to foster public private partnership in the delivery of higher education and to provide substantial technical support to the client in developing a reasonable financing plan consistent with the macro-framework of the country. Project preparation is underway. Environmental Assessment Category U. PID: 102607. US$ 100.0 (IBRD). The consultants support will be needed during preparation and implementation. Pakistan Higher Education Commission, Sector H-9, Islamabad, Pakistan, Tel: (92-51) 904-0120, Fax: (92-51) 925-7505, E-mail: snaqvi@hec.gov.pk, Contact: Dr. Sohail H. Naqvi, Executive Director, Higher Education Commission.
Energy and Mining
Mineral Sector Technical Assistance
The objective is to implement a strategy to accelerate sustainable mineral sector development by strengthening governance, transparency, and capacity in the management of mineral resources. Project preparation is underway. Environmental Assessment Category B. PID: 99375. US$ 50.0 (IDA).Consultants will be needed in preparation to: (a) undertake strategic environmental and social assessments focusing on mining; (b) build implementation capacity; and (c) define components. Required specialties are mining regulations, geology, geophysics and mining cadastre. Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources, 21-E Huma Plaza, Blue Area, Islamabad, Pakistan, Tel: (92-51) 920-2337, Fax: (92-51) 920-4077, E-mail: minerals@cyber.net.pk, Contact: Mr. Rashid Hussain Malik, Director General for Mines
Information and Communication
Rural Telecommunications and e-Service
The objectives are to: (a) accelerate access to communications in unserved and underserved areas by using targeted subsidies for rural expansion, (b) strengthen legal, policy, regulatory and spectrum management and (c) monitor functions and expansion of e-services. Negotiations scheduled for December 2008. Environmental Assessment Category B. PID: 100681.US$ 124.0 (IBRD).Consulting services to be determined. Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications, Evacuee Trust Bldg., 4th Floor, Aga Khan Rd., F-5/1, Islamabad, Pakistan, Tel: (92-51) 920-9484, Fax: (92-51) 920-9482, E-mail: fqayyum@moitt.gov.pk, Contact: Mr. Farrakh Qayyum, Secretary; Pakistan Telecommunications Authority, Zonal Office, 222/5, Khadim Hussain Rd., Rawalpindi Cantt, Islamabad, Pakistan, Tel: (92-51) 287-8143, Fax: (92-51) 287-8155, E-mail: chairman@pta.gov.pk, Contact: Mr. Shahzedha Malik, Chairman
Law and Justice
Second Sindh Structural Adjustment
The objective is to implement reforms to improve fiscal and financial management, governance, public service delivery, and the state's regulatory framework. Project preparation is underway. Environmental Assessment Category U.US$ 100.0 (IDA).Consultants will be required for: (a) improvement of fiscal and financial management; (b) financial resource mobilization and institutional development; (c) capacity building of core Government departments; (d) reconciliation of public accounts; (e) information technology specialist work; and (f) technical support. Department of Finance, Government of Sindh, Karachi, Pakistan, Tel: (92-21) 920-6512, Fax: (92-21) 920-6511, Contact: Mr. Malik Israr, Secretary
Social Protection
Support to Safety Nets
The objectives are to support the effective strengthening of implementation and monitoring mechanisms for delivery of cash transfer programs. Project preparation is underway. Environmental Assessment Category FI. PID: 103160. US$ 50.0 (IDA). Consultants will be required. Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal, Street No. 7 H-8/4, Islamabad, Pakistan
Transportation
Karachi Dockers Labor Board Restructuring
The objective is to make the nation's ports more competitive by reducing their labor costs and thus the cost for users. This project is no longer in the lending program. Further reporting will be discontinued. Environmental Assessment Category C. PID: 103080. US$ 79.0 (IBRD).Consultants are required for social assessment, financial management and management of labor redeployment services. Karachi Port Trust, Edeljee Dinshaw Rd., PO Box 4725, Karachi 74000 Pakistan, Tel: (92-21) 921-4310/15, Fax: (92-21) 921-4329/30, E-mail: chairman@kpt.gov.pk, Contact: Vice Admiral Ahmad Hayat, Chairman
National Expressways
The objective is to improve trade flows, lower transit costs and times along the Program corridor through the sustainable delivery of a high-speed, safe and reliable access-controlled expressway system. Appraisal scheduled for 12 January 2009. Environmental Assessment Category A. PID: 101685. US$ 500.0 (IBRD).Construction supervision and contract administration.National Highway Authority, 27 Mauve Area, G-9/1, Islamabad, Pakistan, Tel: (92-51) 835-1702, Fax: (92-51) 926-0418, E-mail: sheikhabdullatif@yahoo.com, Contact: Mr. Sheikh Abdul Latif, Member, Planning.
National Trade Corridor Improvement Program
The objective is to enhance export competitiveness by reducing the cost of trade and transport logistics and bringing service quality to international standards. This project is put on hold pending improvement of the macro-economic situation. Environmental Assessment Category C. PID: 101683. US$ 300.0 (IBRD). Consultant has been recruited to carry out strategic environmental, poverty and social assessment. Planning Commission, Government of Pakistan, Chughtai Plaza, Room No. 206, Blue Area, Islamabad, Pakistan, Tel: (92-51) 920-2670, Fax: (92-51) 920-2129, E-mail: stanwirbukhari@yahoo.com, Contact: Mr. Syed Tanwir Hussain Bukhari, Chief (T&C)
Trade and Transport Facilitation II
The objectives are to: (a) facilitate the implementation of the NTCIP; and (b) facilitate the simplification and modernization of Pakistan's international trade procedures and practices. Decision meeting scheduled for late-September 2008. Environmental Assessment Category C. PID: 101684. US$ 24.0 (IDA). Consultants will be required. Planning Commission, Government of Pakistan, Block P, 2nd Floor, Pakistan Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan, Tel: (92-51) 920-2616, Fax: (92-51) 920-9402, Contact: Mr. Muhammad Akram Malik, Member (Infrastructure); Ministry of Commerce, Block A, 6th Floor, Pakistan Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan, Tel: (92-51) 920-3604, Fax: (92-51) 920-5208, E-mail: irtiqazaidi@gmail.com, Contact: Syed Irtiqa Ahmed Zaidi, Project Director, Trade & Transport Facilitation Unit
Urban Development
Punjab Large Cities Development Policy
The objective is to promote economic growth in the major cities through strategic planning, integrated infrastructure investments, and efficient urban service delivery. Appraisal scheduled for late-October, 2008. Environmental Assessment Category U. PID: 95983. US$ 100.0 (IBRD). A PHRD grant for preparation is anticipated. Consulting services to be determined. Planning and Development Department, Government of Punjab, Civil Secretariat, Lahore, Pakistan, Tel: (92-42) 921-0002/4, Fax: (92-42) 921-0003, Contact: Mr. Suleman Ghani, Chairman, Planning and Development Board
Water and Sanitation
Second Punjab Barrages Rehabilitation and Modernization
The objective is to prevent the occurrence of disastrous barrages failure and ensure their sustainable use, providing improved and reliable irrigation and drinking water supplies. Decision meeting scheduled for 1 June 2009. Environmental Assessment Category B. PID: 96745. US$ 120.0 (IBRD).Design consultants are being recruited. Construction supervision consultants will also be required. Punjab Irrigation and Power Department, Punjab Barrage Rehabilitation Project Management Office, Lahore, Pakistan, Tel: (92-42) 921-1920, E-mail: iri lhr@yahoo.com, Contact: Mr. Mohammed Akhtar, Acting Director, Project Management Office
The Bank Information Center (BIC) partners with civil society in developing and transition countries to influence the World Bank and other international financial institutions (IFIs) to promote social and economic justice and ecological sustainability. BIC is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization that advocates for the protection of rights, participation, transparency, and public accountability in the governance and operations of the World Bank, regional development banks, and IMF. For more information about BIC, see www.bicusa.org.