Senators alarmed over NHA's handling of Indus Highway project

Lawmakers demand probe into blacklisted contractor; journalist raises public concerns

ISLAMABAD:

A parliamentary body on Tuesday expressed serious concerns over the awarding of a major highway construction contract to a blacklisted firm, raising alarms over transparency, procedural lapses and funding delays in the Rajanpur-Dera Ismail Khan section of the Indus Highway project.

The Senate Standing Committee on Communications, which met at Parliament House with its chairman Senator Pervaiz Rasheed, grilled officials of the National Highway Authority (NHA) over the project's stagnant progress, insufficient allocation in the current PSDP and the decision to award the contract despite the contractor's alleged blacklisting.

According to NHA officials, five bypasses are planned between Rajanpur and Dera Ghazi Khan. While funding for some bypasses has already been approved, others were still pending.

They said that Rs6.7 billion has been released for the project so far, but an additional Rs11 billion is needed. Partial funds for the Jampur segment have already been transferred to the national exchequer.

The NHA officials informed the committee that a total of 11 bypasses will be constructed under this project and that the estimated cost for land acquisition alone stands at Rs11 billion.

NHA chairman further clarified that payments for the construction of seven bypasses have been fully made, though there remains a funding shortfall of Rs5 billion for land acquisition.

He also expressed concern that the necessary funds for this project have not been allocated in the current fiscal year's PSDP.

Senator Zameer Hussain raised concerns about the construction company being awarded the contract.

He claimed that the company was blacklisted and questioned how the NHA board approved such a contract.

"If this company has been awarded the contract, it would be a major blunder," Senator Saifullah Abro pointed out. "As the chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Economic Affairs Division, I can confirm that we held a meeting on this very issue."

Senator Abro criticised the NHA's handling of the matter, accusing the authority of releasing a press statement contradicting the Senate's media release. "NHA's press release amounts to disrespecting the entire Senate," he said. He demanded that a subcommittee be formed to investigate the issue.

Senator Kamil Ali Agha supported the demand, saying, "This is a serious stain on NHA's reputation and the loss must be addressed." He added that if the NHA manages to justify its position, he would be willing to resign.

Senator Zameer also asserted that the parliament's honour had been insulted and called for formal action.

Senator Abro noted that the Senate's media wing had made no mention of a blacklisted company. Still, NHA had reacted strongly.

The committee also reviewed toll fee collections from 2023 to 2025.