Federal Minister for Power Division Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari has said that work to upgrade DG Khan Airport for international flights has begun, with the Rs5.5 billion expansion project to be completed by January 2028.
Talking during a visit to the airport, Leghari inspected the runway extension work and reviewed progress, the ministry said in a statement on Monday. He said teams of the Civil Aviation Authority were working on the project, including the extension of the runway.
He said upgrading the airport for international flights would provide travel facilities to the people of the area and create new opportunities for development and prosperity in south Punjab.
The minister highlighted that the prime minister had announced four major development projects for DG Khan: airport expansion, the establishment of 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 said it was being carried out as per a scheduled plan. He said gas supply and availability issues due to the Iran-US war were affecting power generation costs, leading to reliance on expensive sources.
He said the government was introducing modern technology to curb power theft and line losses, including installation of an Anti-Power Theft Management System (APMS) on transformers across the country.
Leghari 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.
Leghari said that loadshedding would continue on feeders with 30% or higher losses and there would be no leniency for electricity thieves and chronic defaulters.