ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Economic Affairs directed the NHA and relevant authorities to halt the tendering process without proper documentation.
The Senate Standing Committee on Economic Affairs met on Monday under the chairmanship of Senator Saifullah Abro to review major development initiatives in the communications, energy, and urban sectors, expressing serious concerns over transparency, governance, and project oversight.
The committee received a detailed briefing on the improvement and widening of the N-45 Chakdara–Chitral Road (Kalkatak–Chitral section), including updates on the tendering process. Members expressed strong reservations about discrepancies in the data presented, terming it incomplete and irrelevant. The committee was informed that the position of General Manager (P&CA), National Highway Authority (NHA), is currently vacant after the posting out of incumbent officer.
The chairman recommended that the Economic Affairs Division (EAD) establish a dedicated desk to monitor and evaluate the tendering process to minimise the risk of irregularities. He also proposed the inclusion of EAD representatives in the tendering process to ensure transparency and proposed to bear TA/DA expenses of EAD member to curb irregularities and corruption. Raising concerns over alleged corruption in earlier procurement phases, the committee noted that the previous process had been cancelled following its intervention. Strong objection was raised to the absence of project consultants in the current bid evaluation process, which members termed a serious lapse.
The committee directed EAD and NHA to halt the tendering process until complete documentation, including feasibility reports and project maps, is submitted and reviewed. Senator Haji Hidayatullah also highlighted the non-provision of key documents despite repeated requests. The Secretary Communications was directed to ensure that well-informed officers attend future meetings, with the chairman emphasising that standing committees serve as the “eyes and ears” of Parliament.
The committee was also briefed on the progress of the 660 MW coal-fired power project at Jamshoro, supported by the Asian Development Bank. It was informed that the plant is currently operating on 80 percent imported coal, with studies underway to shift towards local coal usage. The committee stressed the need to reduce reliance on imported fuel to conserve foreign exchange and questioned policy priorities in the power sector, particularly the non-provision of RLNG to the Jamshoro plant despite its proximity to the port.
Members also raised concerns regarding the auctioning of thermal power plants that could have been rehabilitated. The chairman directed the Power Division to submit comprehensive details of all such auctions, along with complete records of imported coal procurement and tendering processes. The committee further discussed capacity payments to Independent Power Producers (IPPs), licencing requirements for solar energy users, rising electricity tariffs, excessive surcharges, and persistent loadshedding.
The committee also reviewed the Competitive & Livable City of Karachi (CLICK) project funded by the World Bank. Officials informed that the project focuses rehabilitation of existing infrastructure identified by local government institutions, including TMCs and KMC, rather than new construction. To ensure transparency and avoid duplication of expenditures, the chairman recommended geotagging of all rehabilitated schemes.
The committee was informed that the UIPT Survey 2025 conducted under the CLICK project estimates 4.4 million property units, significantly enhancing the tax base.
The chairman appreciated efforts to strengthen local government institutions financially and directed EAD to coordinate with the government of Sindh to ensure the presence of senior officials, including the Chairman P&D and relevant provincial secretaries, in future meetings. Submission of complete tendering records for all schemes was also directed.
