The prime minister has constituted a high-level fact-finding committee to look into contract awards by the National Highway Authority (NHA), particularly involving the Lyari Expressway Rehabilitation Project and multiple toll and revenue collection contracts across the country.
According to official documents issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, a copy of which is available with The News, the committee has been mandated to conduct an extensive inquiry into alleged malpractices, unauthorized contract awards, and suspected manipulation of procurement processes within the NHA.
The committee is headed by Mian Mushtaq Ahmed, former federal secretary, while Brig (retd) Muzaffar Ali Ranjha, Chairman PMIC; Jawad Paul, Secretary Commerce; Kamran Ali Afzal, Secretary Cabinet Division; and a representative of the Intelligence Bureau will serve as members.
The Terms of Reference (ToRs) issued by the PM Office indicate a broad-based investigation focusing on three major areas, including uncompetitive award of the Lyari Expressway Rehabilitation Contract. Besides, the committee will examine why the rehabilitation contract of Lyari Expressway was awarded without competitive bidding. It will identify officials responsible for bypassing procurement rules and trace the decision-making chain that led to the contract award.
The committee will scrutinize whether these contracts were allocated in violation of public procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules and identify officials involved in the decision-making process.
The committee has been directed to finalise the fact-finding report within three weeks and submit it to the prime minister for further orders. The Cabinet Division has been instructed to notify the committee and provide full secretarial support. The notification has been issued by Shakeel Ahmed Mangnejo, Special Secretary to the Prime Minister.
A senior federal government officer told The News on the condition of not to be named that the findings of the committee are expected to set the direction for possible disciplinary actions, administrative reforms, or criminal investigations, depending on the outcome of the probe.
