PAC seeks report on state of national highways

Chairman expresses annoyance with FBR chief, communications ministry over lack of accountability

ISLAMABAD:

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has sought a detailed briefing from the ministry of communications on the dilapidation of national highways and motorways. The committee chairman, Rana Tanveer Hussain, directed Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) members on Monday to ensure participation in the next meeting and warned of using its discretion.

The chairman said that the communications chairman had informed earlier that his preparation was not complete. Therefore, the audit paras related to the communication division were postponed till the next meeting. Hussain directed the National Highway Authority (NHA) chairman to complete the inquiry in the audit paras and determine the culprits.

During the meeting, the committee member Noor Alam got angry at the communication secretary.

The lawmaker asked why the Islamabad to Peshawar motorway was not being repaired despite potholes appearing in it.

He added the Islamabad to Lahore motorway is fine but what was the reason for the poor condition of the road on the other side.

The secretary replied that he could give a cursory answer and only give a detailed answer in the next meeting. At this, Alam asked how the secretary could decide of answering a question next week. He said that it was the right of the committee to question the performance of the officials.

Read NHA blamed for rain damages

Alam said he was surprised the communications minister also travels on the road but was unable to see its condition. After this, the committee chairman sought a comprehensive briefing on all motorways and highways from NHA in the next meeting.

Hussain expressed anger at the absence of an FBR member. He said they have received multiple complaints regarding the FBR operations member.

He stated that the board’s officials should be informed that the committee would exercise its authority. He added that it is the FBR chairman’s responsibility to produce the member operations before the committee.

The committee chairman told the members that the second agenda was related to FBR but the board’s chairman was not well and requested to postpone it until the next meeting.

The FBR chairman informed PAC on exports and collection from industries listed in Provincially Administered Tribal Area (PATA).

He said that they have taken some steps in this regard in which clearance of industrial goods of PATA will now be carried out in Azakhel instead of Karachi.

The FBR chairman said that they have proposed to set up a committee comprising officials from the ministry of industries and experts since they did not have expertise in industries. He added there would be a 16 per cent duty on exports of PATA products outside its areas.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 20^th, 2021.