News Detail
Event Title: Senator Niaz Ahmed, Chairman Senate Functional Committee on Problems of Less Developed Areas presiding over a meeting of the committee at Parliament House, Islamabad.
Event Date: 2026-07-20
Senate Committee Expresses Concern Over Delays in Development Projects, Constitutes Sub-Committee to Review Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan Package
The Senate Functional Committee on Problems of Less Developed Areas met today at Parliament House under the chairmanship of Senator Niaz Ahmed. The meeting was attended by Senators Kazim Ali Shah, Talha Mehmood, Danesh Kumar, Jan Muhammad Khan, and Aslam Abro, along with senior officials from the National Highway Authority (NHA), Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Universal Service Fund (USF), and other relevant departments.
At the outset, the Committee expressed serious concern over the absence of the Minister for Communications and Secretary Communications. Members also criticized the failure of the Ministry and the concerned departments to provide briefing papers to the Committee well in advance. The Committee observed that convening parliamentary meetings without proper preparation not only undermines effective oversight but also results in an unnecessary burden on the public exchequer. The absence of senior officers from the relevant departments was also strongly noted.
The Committee received a detailed briefing on the progress of the N-45 project, comprising Section-I (38.85 km), Section-II (43.39 km), and Section-III (47.98 km). NHA officials informed the Committee that the project is being financed by the Korea Eximbank and that Rs.500 million has been allocated under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2026-27. Section-III is currently at the procurement stage. Technical qualification documents were submitted to the sponsoring agency, and while feedback received in April 2026 was responded promptly, the Authority is still awaiting a final response. Three joint ventures have been technically qualified for the project.
Senator Talha Mehmood expressed concern over the prolonged delay in the project, stating that continued procedural bottlenecks would significantly escalate project costs while causing persistent hardships for the local population.The Committee further recommended that a formal letter be addressed to the Korea Eximbank to seek clarification regarding the delay and assure the Bank of the Committee's full support in resolving any impediments to the timely execution of the project.
The Committee was informed that a total allocation of Rs.224.1 billion has been made for NHA during the current financial year. Of this amount, Rs.118 billion has been allocated for Balochistan, Rs.27.5 billion for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Rs.49.3 billion for Sindh, Rs.21.5 billion for Punjab, and Rs.8 billion for Gilgit-Baltistan.
Senator Danesh Kumar voiced concern over the prolonged completion period of several ongoing projects, observing that some schemes could take as long as 10 to 14 years to complete. Senator Talha Mehmood emphasized that the Government should undertake only those development projects for which sufficient financial resources are available to ensure their timely completion. NHA officials informed the Committee that priority is being accorded to projects that have already achieved between 80 and 90 percent physical progress.
The Committee also received a briefing on the human resource structure of NHA. Officials informed the members that the Authority currently operates through four service streams. Against a sanctioned strength of 2,750 employees, no fresh recruitment has been made since 2017. The Committee was informed that a new recruitment policy is being finalized to ensure implementation of the prescribed quota system.
Senator Jan Muhammad Khan recommended that NHA officers should undertake official inspections by road rather than by air so they can personally assess the condition of the country's highways. The Committee was informed that employees serving in Balochistan receive a hardship allowance equivalent to 25 percent of their basic pay. The Committee recommended that officers posted in hardship areas should remain stationed there to ensure effective supervision and implementation of development projects.
The Committee was further briefed on the LPG Air Mix Plants procured for Chitral. Senator Talha Mehmood expressed concern that three plants purchased in 2017 at a cost of approximately Rs.170 million have yet to be installed. Officials informed the Committee that the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) had raised objections regarding the installation due to inadequate supporting infrastructure and logistical constraints in transporting the plants to the designated sites.
During the briefing on internet connectivity in Chitral, Senator Talha Mehmood appreciated the ongoing efforts to improve digital access but highlighted the persistent connectivity challenges faced by local communities. Officials informed the Committee that difficult terrain, high altitude, poor road infrastructure, and frequent landslides damaging fiber optic cables continue to impede reliable internet services. An eight-day technical survey has been conducted, while Telenor has extended significant support in improving connectivity in the region. The Committee was informed that areas with a population exceeding 500 qualify for projects under the Universal Service Fund (USF). PTA representatives assured the Committee that a meeting with all telecom operators would soon be convened to improve internet coverage and service quality in Chitral.
The Chairman of the Committee emphasized the need for stronger coordination between the Federal and Provincial Governments to ensure the timely completion of development projects and the availability of adequate financial resources.
Senator Aslam Abro raised concerns regarding the Rajanpur-Jamshoro Road project. NHA officials informed the Committee that the project has been divided into Tranche-I and Tranche-II. Tranche-I has achieved approximately 95 percent physical progress, while the entire project is expected to be completed by December 2026.
Senator Aslam Abro also expressed concern over the quality of road construction in Sindh. In response, NHA officials informed the Committee that cement-stabilized base technology is being introduced in Sindh to enhance the durability and longevity of roads.
The Committee also received an update on the M-6 Motorway project. Officials explained that the project had been delayed due to litigation involving the contractor, followed by changes in Government policy. After reviewing its financial viability, it was decided to divide the project into five phases instead of executing it as a single package. The Committee was informed that work on the project is expected to commence in September 2026, with approximately Rs.30 billion likely to be available during the current financial year.
Senator Aslam Abro observed that Sindh still lacks a functional motorway despite its strategic importance and remarked that infrastructure projects in Punjab have progressed more efficiently. Responding to his query, NHA officials informed the Committee that the Sialkot-Kharian Motorway is currently being developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
The Committee was also briefed on the M-10 corridor connecting Karachi Port with Hyderabad. Members observed that commuters on the Karachi-Hyderabad route are paying motorway-level toll taxes without receiving motorway-standard facilities. The Committee recommended that either the toll rates be reduced or NHA provide facilities comparable to those available on other motorways across the country.
Concluding the meeting, the Committee constituted a Sub-Committee under the convenorship of Senator Jan Muhammad Khan to review the implementation status of the Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan Package and submit its recommendations to the Committee.