Outdated population data: Senate panel concerned at delays in NHA projects

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Special Initiatives expressed serious concern over the absence of updated population data and delays in key National Highway Authority (NHA) projects, directing the relevant ministries to improve planning and expedite implementation.

The Committee met here on Monday with Quratulain Marri in the chair. The meeting was attended by Senators Shahadat Awan, Saadia Abbasi, Manzoor Ahmed, and Dr. Afnan Ullah Khan. Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives also attended the meeting.

The Committee reviewed the implementation of the National Action Plan on Population (2021–2026) and examined the progress of various projects being executed by the National Highway Authority (NHA).

During the briefing by the Ministry of National Health Service, Regulation & Coordination on the National Action Plan on Population, the Committee was informed that the project was approved by DDWP in May 2021 at a total cost of Rs1,996.683 million. The project covers the ten districts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), fourteen districts of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).

The Committee was informed that Rs1,679.6 million has been allocated for the procurement of contraceptives, all of which are being imported. It was further informed that Rs250 million has been allocated for the financial year 2026–27, primarily for media campaigns and the procurement of contraceptives.

The Committee was also informed that the latest available population statistics are based on the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (PDHS) 2017–18, although the survey is intended to be conducted every five years. It was further informed that Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) is currently undertaking the next round of the survey to update population and health indicators for the period up to 2025–26.

Expressing concern, the Chairperson observed that PBS should have conducted this important survey within the prescribed timeframe and emphasised that absence of updated demographic data adversely affects evidence-based planning, policymaking, and effective resource allocation.

Observing that the briefing by the Ministry of National Health Service, Regulation & Coordination did not adequately address the Committee’s queries, the Chairperson directed the Ministry to submit a comprehensive presentation at the next meeting, covering all aspects of the project, including the procurement and distribution of contraceptives, their utilisation, implementation challenges, and other relevant operational details.

Committee also examined matters relating to NHA projects financed under the Cash Development Loan (CDL) mechanism, particularly the implementation status of the Economic Coordination Committee’s (ECC) decision regarding the restructuring of CDL-financed PSDP projects.

The Committee was informed that, in pursuance of its earlier directions, the NHA is working on a comprehensive debt restructuring proposal in coordination with the Ministry of Communication and the Finance Division.

Expressing serious concern over the delay in implementing the earlier decision of the ECC regarding identification and segregation of NHA PSDP projects portfolio, the Chairperson observed that this exercise should have been completed much earlier. NHA informed the Committee that the portfolio review is currently underway and informed that the exercise would be completed at the earliest.

The Committee was further briefed on the progress of the M-6 Motorway Project and was informed that its groundbreaking is expected later this year. Regarding the N-5 Highway, the Committee was informed that rehabilitation works on various sections of the highway are currently underway with financial assistance from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). NHA officials also informed the Committee that annual condition surveys are conducted to classify road sections as poor, fair, or good, enabling timely maintenance and rehabilitation to improve the national road network.

The Committee also reviewed progress on the foreign-funded component of the N-55 Project, which has been divided into three tranches. It was informed that Lot-I of Tranche-II (Shikarpur–Kandhkot) has achieved 34 percent physical progress, with only eight months remaining before the project’s completion deadline. The Committee stressed the need to complete the work within the stipulated timeframe.

The Committee was further informed that Lot-II of Tranche-II (Kandhkot–Kashmore) has achieved 22 percent progress and is unlikely to be completed within the scheduled timeline. However, Lots III and IV of Tranche-II are expected to be completed on schedule.

Concluding the meeting, Chairperson Senator Quratulain Marri observed that priority should be accorded to the timely completion of ongoing development projects. She emphasised that no new development projects should be undertaken until the ongoing projects are substantially completed, so as to ensure the effective and efficient utilisation of limited public resources.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026