ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Communications on Monday expressed serious concern over prolonged delays in key highway projects, poor road conditions and toll collection practices, directing the National Highway Authority (NHA) to expedite stalled schemes and ensure toll revenues are reinvested in road infrastructure and commuter facilities.
The meeting was convened under the chairmanship of Pervaiz Rashid to conduct a comprehensive review of national highway and infrastructure projects, financial allocations, road safety, tolling operations, and maintenance frameworks managed by the NHA.
Senator Muhammad Talha Mahmood raised grave concerns regarding the persistent delays and funding constraints on the N-45 highway, emphasizing that local populations are facing immense hardships. The Secretary of Communications and Chairman of the NHA briefed the committee that an agreement was reached to construct a 48-kilometer section under a bank partnership model, highlighting that this key route serves as a crucial entry corridor to Chitral and that the authority remains committed to its completion.
Addressing the status of the bank deal, officials indicated that bid concurrence is currently awaited. The committee expressed serious concern over the extended timeline, noting that if bank procedures take over a year, reservations arise regarding the institution’s ability to execute the project efficiently. the Chairman of the Committee directed the Secretary of Communications and Chairman NHA to coordinate directly with the Korean Ambassador to address all remaining concerns, with progress to be reported back in the next meeting.
Further discussion on northern routes focused on the Mastuj-Broghil road project, where Senator Muhammad Talha Mahmood highlighted the severe plight of local communities, pointing out that due to poor road conditions, a 145-kilometer journey now takes 14 to 15 hours. Although the project falls under provincial jurisdiction, the committee directed the Ministry of Communications and NHA to explore avenues to assist or take over the work. The Chairman NHA informed the committee that the matter would be raised at the provincial cabinet level, as it involves jurisdictional boundaries beyond NHA’s immediate mandate, and the committee requested a comprehensive follow-up briefing. Regarding the Lowari Tunnel section on the N-45, Talha Mahmood questioned the failure of tunnel lighting systems. Officials informed the committee that lighting on one side was installed in 2017 at Rs 4 million, and a broader project valued at Rs. 35 billion has been approved to procure a Rs. 33 billion upgrade ensuring continuous 24-hour lighting. While the contract carries a 2.5-year timeline, NHA assured the committee it is striving to complete the installation within two years, with priority resolution pledged.
The committee extensively evaluated transport infrastructure in Balochistan and CPEC road networks. Senator Asad Qasim raised critical questions regarding annual casualties on these roads, demanding clear explanations for ongoing delays and emphasizing that security challenges and terrorism are compounded by non-existent infrastructure. Representatives from NHA reported that out of a total Rs. 128 billion in requirements, Rs. 116 billion was sanctioned for Balochistan this year, with Rs 100 billion specifically allocated for the Pakistan Expressway (Karachi-Bela N-25 section), where work commenced in December 2025. The Secretary of Communications informed the committee that the ministry is pursuing a multi-year calendar funding strategy to ensure the timely completion of already awarded projects rather than initiating new ones. To address budget disparities and project execution, the Chairman of the Committee directed that a dedicated agenda item be set for the next meeting to examine the detail of fund utilization, resource management, and legal hurdles. Specifically addressing an NHA letter regarding legal challenges in Balochistan, the committee directed that NHA’s stance be submitted to the Balochistan High Court with all committee reservations duly included to expedite resolution.
The committee heavily scrutinized toll plaza collection practices and public facilitation across the national network. Senator Pakwasha and Abdul Qadir noted that several toll plazas have achieved 100 percent financial recovery over past years, raising questions regarding the moral justification of continued toll collection when commuting facilities and road conditions remain inadequate. The Chairman NHA explained that toll rates were revised after five years, with automated and manual toll collection details provided to the committee. The committee stressed that increasing tolls must correspond directly to improved user facilities and urgent infrastructure upgrades.
Addressing digital tolling, the Chairman of the Committee questioned the transition from manual tolling to M-Tag systems, noting that citizens have already paid billions of rupees for the M-Tag facility and demanding a full detailed report on collection metrics. Concerns were also highlighted regarding commercial encroachments on right-of-ways, which have expanded significantly, and issues surrounding call centre services where public inquiries are directed to automated messages rather than live agents. The committee called for immediate corrective measures and the restoration of responsive public support services.
Chairman directed NHA to step up roadside plantation campaigns across all motorways and ensured that funds collected from the public via toll fees are strictly reinvested into road construction, maintenance, and commuter amenities, confirming that work on the M-6 motorway project is scheduled to begin by December. In addition, the committee addressed financial governance by reviewing the rationale behind advertising a new NHA project estimated at Rs. 15,000 million while older projects remain pending due to funding delays. The NHA leadership was instructed by Member Finance and Member Engineering Coordination to submit a comprehensive project-wise statement detailing approved costs, funds released, expenditures, liabilities, and expected completion dates.
Furthermore, Member Central Zone presented details on tendering 11 new works costing Rs. 39.866 billion under the Road Maintenance Account, with the committee reviewing 100 percent funding availability and approved financing mechanisms to guarantee timely execution.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026