ISLAMABAD: Around Rs60 billion allocated to the National Highway Authority (NHA) was cut from the federal budget under the government’s austerity measures as well as to meet emerging security requirements.
This was disclosed during a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Communications, chaired by MNA Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani. The Secretary for Communications and the NHA Chairman informed the committee that, of the total Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) outlay of Rs3.7 trillion, approximately Rs2.6 trillion was committed to throw-forward (ongoing) schemes.
It was stated that 71 ongoing projects fall under the category of throw-forward schemes. The Committee sought a comprehensive status report on these schemes, including their province-wise bifurcation and expected completion timelines.
The panel was also informed that development schemes proposed by the parliamentarians had not been accommodated by the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, as the current policy prioritises the completion of ongoing projects over the approval of new schemes.
The chairman of the committee observed that expenditure on road maintenance had remained significantly constrained over the past two years and directed the Ministry to submit a comprehensive report on the utilisation of maintenance funds, particularly in Sindh.
A member of the committee from Balochistan raised concern over the delay in the execution of the Lasbela–Awaran Road project and pointed out that Rs5 billion allocated for the Kharan–Basima Road had remained unutilised for several years.
Regarding the New Baran Bridge project, the Secretary, Ministry of Communications, informed the Committee that the feasibility study had been completed and that the project had been taken up as a new scheme to be financed through AIIB funding.
The committee also sought an update on the slow pace of work on the Keti Bandar Road project and requested the Ministry to provide its expected completion timeline.
The committee expressed serious concern over the prolonged delay in the Quetta–Zhob Road project, stating that despite nearly two decades of work, the project continued to suffer from numerous diversions along its 320-kilometre length. The member also emphasised that the 13-kilometre stretch from Fort Munro to Loralai, which carries substantial inter-provincial traffic, should be accorded the highest priority.
In response, the Chairman, NHA, assured the Committee that this section would be completed during the current year through maintenance funds, considering its strategic importance.
Another member expressed concern over the limited field presence of the NHA Member from Sindh, stating that greater on-site supervision was essential for the timely execution of ongoing projects. The Committee also discussed the incomplete Shahdadkot Bypass project and directed that the General Manager, NHA Sukkur, must attend the next meeting of the Committee.
The Committee further highlighted that the Rajanpur Toll Plaza continued to collect substantial toll revenue despite the road not being fully completed and contrary to the Committee’s earlier recommendations. The Committee also questioned the rationale behind awarding the operation of all toll plazas in Sindh to a single contractor.
While reviewing the latest progress on the M-6 Sukkur–Hyderabad Motorway, the Committee was informed that the project comprises five sections: Hyderabad–Tando Adam, Tando Adam–Nawabshah, Nawabshah–Naushahro Feroze, Naushahro Feroze–Ranipur, and Ranipur–Sukkur. The Committee was informed that Rs30 billion had been allocated during the current financial year against a total demand of Rs70 billion. It was further apprised that Sections I and II would be executed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, Sections IV and V through financing from the Islamic Development Bank, and Section III through CPEC Fund financing. The Ministry also briefed the Committee on the expected commencement schedule and the current progress of each section.
The Committee constituted a sub-committee under the convenership of Syed Hafeezuddin, with Ramesh Lal, Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan Nasar, and Shamsher Ali Mazari as its members. The Sub-Committee was tasked with examining the details of the NHA’s throw-forward schemes, including their commencement and completion dates, original approved cost against expenditure incurred, and province-wise bifurcation. The Sub-Committee was also mandated to review the toll plaza tendering process, including the award of all toll plazas in Sindh to a single contractor.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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