ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Communications on Friday directed Ministry of Communications and National Highways Authority (NHA) to submit reports on delayed development projects, maintenance expenditures, and throw-forward schemes.
The committee constituted a sub-committee to review status of ongoing projects and examine toll plaza tendering process.
The committee, which met at Parliament House under chairmanship of MNA Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani, reviewed implementation of its previous recommendations and discussed progress of Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) projects.
The committee was informed out of total PSDP outlay of Rs3.7 trillion, approximately Rs2.6 trillion comprises throw-forward schemes. Around Rs60 billion allocated to National Highways Authority had been reduced in Federal Budget due to austerity measures and emerging security requirements.
Officials stated 71 ongoing projects fall under category of throw-forward schemes. The committee sought a comprehensive report detailing these projects, including their provincewise distribution and expected completion timelines. The committee was also informed development schemes proposed by Members of the National Assembly had not been accommodated by Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, as government’s current policy prioritises completion of ongoing projects over approval of new ones.
Chairman Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani observed spending on road maintenance had remained significantly constrained over past two years and directed Ministry to submit a detailed report on utilisation of maintenance funds, particularly in Sindh.
Reviewing progress on M-6 Sukkur–Hyderabad Motorway, the committee was informed the project consists of five sections: Hyderabad-Tando Adam, Tando Adam-Nawabshah, Nawabshah-Naushahro Feroze, Naushahro Feroze-Ranipur, and Ranipur-Sukkur.
Officials stated Rs30 billion had been allocated for the project during current financial year against a total funding requirement of Rs70 billion. Sections I and II will be executed under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, Sections IV and V through financing from Islamic Development Bank, and Section III through funding from OPEC Fund.
The Ministry also briefed the committee on expected commencement schedule and progress of each section.
A member from Balochistan expressed concern over delays in Lasbela-Awaran Road project and pointed out Rs5 billion allocated for Kharan-Basima Road had remained unutilised for several years.
Regarding New Baran Bridge project, Secretary Ministry of Communications informed the committee feasibility study had been completed and that the project had been proposed as a new scheme to be financed by Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
The committee also sought an update on slow pace of work on Keti Bandar Road project and requested the Ministry to provide its expected completion timeline.
Another member voiced concern over prolonged delay in Quetta-Zhob Road project, noting despite nearly two decades of work, 320km road still contains numerous diversions. The member stressed the 13km stretch between Fort Munro and Loralai, which carries substantial inter-provincial traffic, should be given highest priority.
Responding to the concerns, Chairman of NHA assured the committee this strategically important section would be completed during current year through maintenance funds.
A member from Sindh also expressed concern over limited field presence of NHA Member responsible for the province, emphasising greater on-site supervision is essential for timely completion of ongoing projects.
Members further highlighted Rajanpur Toll Plaza continues to collect substantial toll revenue despite road remaining incomplete, contrary to the committee’s earlier recommendations. The committee questioned rationale behind awarding operation of all toll plazas in Sindh to a single contractor.
The committee also reviewed facilities provided by NHA to commuters on motorways and national highways. While acknowledging existing arrangements, members observed further improvements were needed.
The committee sought details of planned initiatives and reiterated its earlier directive that all toll plaza lanes must remain operational at all times. It also directed NHA to take strict action against contractors found violating prescribed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
The committee constituted a sub-committee under convenership of Syed Hafeezuddin, with Ramesh Lal, Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan Nasar, and Shamsher Ali Mazari serving as members.
The sub-committee has been tasked with examining details of NHA’s throw-forward schemes, including their commencement and completion dates, original approved costs, expenditures incurred, and provincewise distribution. It will also review the toll plaza tendering process, including award of all toll plazas in Sindh to a single contractor, and examine the collection of toll tax on under-construction roads despite the committee’s previous recommendations.
At the outset of the meeting, Chairman informed members about reasons for Secretary Ministry of Communications, being absent from the previous meeting without prior intimation. After deliberation, the committee decided not to initiate proceedings against the Secretary under relevant rules on this occasion.
Secretary Ministry of Communications conveyed an apology on behalf of Chairman of National Highways Authority regarding an incident reported by a committee member during previous meeting concerning his visit to NHA Headquarters.
