Senate committee seeks halt to new motorways in Punjab
A parliamentary body has raised serious concerns over the inclusion of dozens of unapproved schemes in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) and called for halting new motorways in Punjab until other provinces complete ongoing projects.
The Senate Standing Committee on Planning, chaired by Senator Quratulain Marri, met the other day to review development allocations and project execution.
Officials from the planning ministry revealed that Rs1 trillion was spent in the last fiscal year under PSDP, while 55 projects included in the current fiscal year's programme remain unapproved.
The officials assured that No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for new projects would be issued only after a full evaluation by the planning commission.
In a detailed briefing, the committee was informed that Rs100 billion had been earmarked for National Highway-5 (N-5) in Balochistan, with seven highway projects included, backed by foreign funding.
In addition, for the Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway (M-6), the Islamic Development Bank will fund three sections, while two more will be built under public-private partnerships.
Similarly, plans were underway to upgrade the GT Road between Hyderabad and Sukkur.
Senator Sadia Abbasi deplored the state of Islamabad's main public library, lamenting that the "books have been infested with termites".
She announced plans for a new Allama Iqbal Research Centre and Library in the capital and insisted that development funds must be properly utilised.
"Our remarks are often wrongly interpreted by officials as being anti-minister or anti-government," she added.
The senator also questioned the necessity of establishing a new national heritage centre, saying multiple overlapping institutions were being created without a clear need.
The chairperson echoed the concerns, stressing the importance of accountability in development spending.
She said that no new motorways should be constructed in Punjab until underdeveloped provinces complete their existing motorway projects.
Senator Manzoor Kakar urged the authorities to give top priority to completing the York-Zhob section of National Highway-50 (N-50), as it holds critical importance for Balochistan.
Meanwhile, the National Highway Authority (NHA) informed the committee of plans to build a 16-kilometre-long motorway from Lahore to Raiwind, drawing criticism from Senator Marri, who questioned, "Are you building a motorway just for one house?"