He will assume charge of Chairman, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on Tuesday. He has served for nearly ten years in Ministry of Communication in different capacities.
Rashid said that more than a hundred projects had been undertaken the in last ten years which shows the commitment of the government, especially for improving communication sector.
He said that no political government in the past had tried to formulate a national transport policy, which was need of the hour. "We have submitted a draft policy to Asian Development Bank and work is in process. It is hoped that it would be announced in December this year," he added.
Expressing satisfaction over the performance of NHA, Iftikhar said that NHA has completed all projects ahead of schedule with judicious utilisation of funds.
He contended that projects including M-3, Kohat Tunnel, and 550 km long Coastal Highway were completed before schedule while construction of Karachi Northern Bypass, Lyari Expressway and Islamabad-Kohala Road was going at a satisfactory pace.
He said that there were some hurdles in construction of Torkhum-Jalalabad road, which have been conveyed to the government. Giving details about N-5, he said that World Bank had been contacted for its dualisation.
About Lowari Tunnel project, Rashid informed the newsmen that it would be inaugurated in March or April either by President General Pervez Musharraf or Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.
The Secretary said that the government was also launching various projects in Balochistan to provide communication facilities to far-flung areas in collaboration with Japan International Co-operation Agency (Jica), Asian Development Bank (ADB) and World Bank (WB).
Commenting on the performance of Motorway Police, Rashid said that MP has become a completely corruption-free department. "National Accountability Bureau has also declared it a corruption-free department," he added. Appreciating the performance of Motorway Police, the President and Prime Minister have directed Communication Ministry to expand it to national highways, he added.
Iftikhar claimed that the ministry had saved almost Rs 20 billion during the last four years by rationalising its projects.
Regarding strategy to uproot corruption in the ministry, he said an independent vigilance directorate has been established to unearth mismanagement and misconduct of the officials. Nearly 70 people have been dismissed and more than 350 got punishment for mismanagement and misconduct, he said.
About shipping sector, the Secretary, Communication, said that Gwadar Port has been completed ahead of schedule. "We have requested Chinese President and Prime Minister for the inauguration ceremony," he added.
He expressed satisfaction over the performance of Pakistan Post Office, and added that the government was bringing reforms in it by introducing computerised system.
National Highway Authority Chairman Major General Farrukh Javed, Director General of PPO, Masood Hassan Agha, Inspector-General of Motorway Police, Zia-ul-Hassan and other high ups of the ministry were also present on the occasion.