The minister has directed the Port Qasim Authority (PQA) to expedite construction of a cricket stadium and academy at its Housing Complex in Karachi and initiate work on a proposed hockey stadium at the same site.
According to PQA officials, the minister recently chaired a meeting to review progress on the cricket stadium project. He was informed that financial bids for the scheme had been opened in May, but issuance of the work order had been delayed due to procedural issues.
The minister directed the relevant PQA department to issue the work order and commence construction without further delay.
The authority had invited tenders for the project in January. After evaluation of the technical bids, financial proposals from three construction companies were opened in May.
M/s Glamour Construction was declared the lowest bidder with a bid of Rs52 million against the estimated project cost of Rs60m.
Although the work order was expected to be issued after the opening of the financial bids, the process remained pending.
Officials said the cricket stadium and academy project would be completed in two phases, with work on the first phase expected to begin shortly. The second phase would be undertaken later.
The minister also directed the PQA to begin the process for construction of a hockey stadium at the same housing complex. He instructed the authority to invite tenders for the facility within two months.
