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Meeting of Senate Standing Committee on Communications was held here at Parliament House on Friday with Senator Prince Ahmed Omer Ahmedzai in Chair.

The Senate body deliberated on the Bill titled "National Highways Safety (Amendment) Bill, 2022". The Bill intends to replace the word "Federal Government" with "Appropriate Authority".The committee proposed that the powers should be conferred on Minister in Charge instead of Prime Minister and disposed of matter.

Furthermore, the senate committee was briefed by NHA authority regarding the construction of Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway (M6). The matter was raised by Senator Saifullah Abro and claimed that irregularities has been made in  award of contracts by NHA. Chairman NHA apprised the committee that the project was of high value and government decided to initiate through Public Private Partnership and an Italian construction company was interested in project and whose credentials are verified by third party. Senator Saifullah Abro demanded to provide details of contract and qualifications required by NHA for the said project. During the deliberations it has been occurred that the documents submitted by the Italian company were fake and income tax  certificate indicates that company is in import and export business but the said company has submitted tender for the award of construction project. The Chair decided to write a letter to Chairman Senate and Prime Minister of Country about the irregularities spotted in award of project and requested to take stern action against the persons involved in this heinous crime.

Moreover, the committee also discussed the matter raised by Senator Hidayat Ullah regarding the recent road accident on Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway (M9), which resulted in death of 28 persons. Senator Hidayat Ullah apprised that M9 is managed by NHA and collect tolls from vehicles but  the authority did not installed fencing which is very vital for the safety of vehicles.Muhammad Khurram Agha, Chairman NHA, told the committee that court has restrained the authority from installation of fencing and matter will be resolved soon. Senator Hidayat Ullah also demanded that compensation should be made to effectees for their incalculable loss.

The meeting was attended by Senator Shammim Afridi, Senator Kamil Ali Agha, Senator Umer Farooq, Senator Saifullah Abro, Senator Hidayat Ullah, Senator Abida Muhammad Azeem, Senator Molana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, Senator Ahmed Khan, Chairman NHA Capt (R) Muhammad Khurram Agha, Zubair Hashmi AIG Motorway Police and other relevant officers were also in attendance.