PDA terms auditor general's report on Peshawar BRT 'speculative'

PDA spokesperson denies rumours of cost increase along with compromises on monitoring and quality control

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar Development Authority (PDA) has termed the report issued by the Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) in regards to the Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) as 'speculative'.

Over 90 per cent of the issues raised by the AGP in the report have been addressed, said a PDA spokesperson. He added that satisfactory remarks in regards to the construction of the bus project were communicated to the transport secretary and director-general PDA in an audit committee meeting by the AGP.

The authority's spokesperson said that speculations surrounding the cost increase and design changes were "baseless".

PDA spokesperson further stated that the report shall be made available to the public after it has gotten through the provincial audit committee. He asserted that "the development authority had not compromised on monitoring standards and quality control".

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) had also expressed absolute confidence in the development authority for the construction of the Peshawar BRT.