Islamabad:
A parliamentary body on Tuesday expressed serious concerns about the allocation of a major highway contract to a blacklisted company that raised alarms over transparency, procedural lapse and financing delays in Rajanpur-dera Ismail Khan section of the Indus Highway Project.
The Senate Standing Committee for Communication, which met at Parliament’s House with its chairman Senator Pervaiz Rasheed, grilled officials in the National Highway Authority (NHA) of the project’s stagnant progress, insufficient award in the current PSDP and the decision to award the contract despite the contractor’s alleged blacklist.
According to NHA officials, five bypass are planned between Rajanpur and Dera Ghazi Khan. While the financing for some bypass is already approved, others were still pending.
They said RS6.7 billion has been released to the project so far, but additional RS11 billion is needed. Partial funds for the Jampur segment have already been transferred to National Exchequer.
The NHA officials informed the committee that a total of 11 bypasses will be erected during this project and that the estimated costs for the acquisition of land are located on RS11 billion alone.
NHA chairman also clarified that payments for the construction of seven bypass have been fully made, although there is still a financing deficit of RS5 billion for acquisition of land.
He also expressed concern that the necessary funds for this project are not awarded in the current financial year’s PSDP.
Senator Zamer Hussain raised concern that the construction company was 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 big boom,” pointed out Senator Saifullah Abro. “As chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Economic Affairs Division, I can confirm that we held a meeting on this particular question.”
Senator Abro criticized NHA’s handling of the case and accused the authority of releasing a press release contrary to the Senate’s media release. “NHA’s press release is to respect the entire Senate,” he said. He demanded that a subcommittee be formed to examine the question.
Senator Kamil Ali Agha supported the demand and said, “This is a serious spot on NHA’s reputation and the loss must be addressed.” He added that if NHA manages to justify his attitude, he would be willing to resign.
Senator Zameer also claimed that Parliament’s honor had been offended and called for formal action.
Senator Abbro noted that the Senate Media Wing had not mentioned a blacklisted company. Still, NHA had reacted strongly.
The committee also reviewed toll tax from 2023 to 2025.
