NAB to look into Kartarpur roads issues

LHC seeks report on queries about projects

LAHORE:

Lahore High Court’s Chief Justice Muhammad Qasim Khan has directed the director general NAB to submit a comprehensive report after probing into alleged irregularities in construction of some roads leading to Kartarpur.

The CJ was hearing a petition about the condition of some roads in Narowal leading to Kartarpur.

He directed DG NAB Shehzad Saleem to start the probe in the light of some queries, including whether the roads were constructed while considering the requirements of the areas, why the work was done so speedily in preparing designs of the roads, identify officials who possibly ignored the requirements, were those officials competent to prepare the designs and who had directed them to work on the roads if they were not capable, and whether proper measures were adopted in the construction. The court asked the bureau official to hold an inquiry into the matter, if required at any stage.

The CJ also sought a report from the federal government on whether it intended to construct the roads with a better design.

“Do we have some laboratories to examine the standard of roads?" the CJ asked the DG, on which he replied that assistance of experts was sought for the purpose. He said normally the UET’s laboratory was contacted.

The CJ remarked at one point that the chief secretary Punjab wanted to say something in the chamber. The law officer told the court that a report had been submitted during the last hearing.

The CJ asked if security and right of way was provided to those who visit the country from abroad.

The petitioners had contended that the Narowal Road and those leading to Kartarpur were badly damaged, a project to expand the road from Lahore to Narowal is pending since long and this has caused problems for the people of the area. In light of the PC-1, the Narowal Road was to be linked with Sialkot Motorway. The current government stopped funds for construction of the roads. They prayed for directives to the authorities concerned for construction of the roads.

The proceedings were adjourned till September 29.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 3^rd, 2020.