‘Intermittent’ increase in toll tax irks NA panel

Members of the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Communications have expressed concern over the increase in toll taxes “after every six months”.

A meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Communications, chaired by MNA Murtaza Javed Abbasi in the absence of the chairman, was held at the Parliament House on Monday.
Committee member Rana Muhammad Ishaq Khan said, “Tax on motorway is increased every six months. People are being robbed.”

In the meeting, MNA Ramesh Lal said, “Our agenda was not included. The chairman of this committee does not come to the meeting. We will bring a no-trust motion against him.”

MNA Abdul Kabir Chitrali said that he was not satisfied with the work of this committee.
Abbasi assured him that he would not have any complaint in the future.

MNA Rana Muhammad Ishaq said that the meetings of this committee are getting very short. “Taxes on motorways are increased every six months.”

Ishaq said that the toll from Lahore to Islamabad has gone up to Rs900. “Who is the person who is raising taxes so much? People are being robbed.”

He asked the chair to call the relevant officers in the next meeting on toll tax issue.
Lal said that Karachi-Hyderabad motorway was not built. “The toll for the part that has been made has been increased in one month.”

Abbasi replied that if a person is seen on the basis of likes and dislikes then how will it work?
“The committee meeting was recused 20 times but was not allowed to convene. How can a meeting be held when the government does not want it?”

He said that the committee would have two meetings next month even though meetings are not allowed.

MNA Ayaz Ali Shah Sheerazi said that substandard work was being done on Garo-Kati Bandar Road. “People have a lot of problems.”

Shirazi accused the National Highway Authority of doing its work.

MNA Muhammad Aslam Khan said that a committee should be formed on “who is at fault”.
Abbasi said that the work should have been completed in 2011.

This is a big shortcoming of the NHA. He asked the communications secretary if he blacklisted the contractors who did not work.

“You give a contract to thieves,” Abbasi said. “If you were a minister today, you would know what is happening in the ministry.”

He told the secretary to apprise the committee of the reasons behind the delay within six days.
“The project was supposed to be completed in 2011. Problems started in 2013.”

The communications secretary said, "Give us 15 days and we will provide the records.

“You can form a committee yourself or we can make an inquiry.”

Abbasi replied that he should inquire in 15 days and inform the committee.

MNA Sheerazi said that NHA and contractors have met in Sindh. “NHA officials say ambulances, firefighters, army, Supreme Court and police vehicles are exempt from toll tax.”

On the issue of construction of Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway, NHA officials said, “There is a problem of land purchase in Jamshoro.”

They said that the delay is due to non-cooperation of the district administration.
Abbasi termed it the most important project of Pakistan, saying that with its completion the motorway will be connected.

Regarding the construction of Chitral-Gilgit Road, the communications secretary said that it is feared that the project will not be completed in Rs46 billion.

“NAB and FIA are also investigating … people are facing a lot of trouble … winter is coming … more problems will arise.”

Abbasi said that tourism has been affected for the last three years.

He directed the Ministry of Communications to look into the project on a priority basis.