Concerns Rise Over Highway Contract Awarded to Blacklisted Firm
In a recent meeting, a parliamentary committee raised serious worries about awarding a major highway construction contract to a blacklisted firm. This decision has sparked debates over transparency and procedural oversights in the Rajanpur-Dera Ismail Khan section of the Indus Highway project.
The Senate Standing Committee on Communications, chaired by Senator Pervaiz Rasheed, scrutinized officials from the National Highway Authority (NHA) about the project’s halted progress and the insufficient funding allocated in the current Public Sector Development Program (PSDP). The officials revealed that while funding for certain bypasses has been approved, many others are still awaiting approval, adding to the project’s delays.
So far, Rs6.7 billion has been released for the project, but the NHA officials admitted that an additional Rs11 billion is essential. The budget constraints have also hindered the timely construction of the 11 planned bypasses, with land acquisition alone estimated to cost Rs11 billion.
Concerns escalated when Senator Zameer Hussain questioned how the contract was awarded to a company reportedly blacklisted. He highlighted the gravity of the situation, pointing out that if this company was indeed awarded the contract, it would reflect a major oversight by the NHA.
Senator Saifullah Abro was equally vocal, calling the approval a "major blunder" and criticizing the NHA for issuing statements that contradicted Senate communications. This prompted calls for a subcommittee to investigate further.
The situation continues to evolve, and the actions taken—or not taken—by the NHA will have long-lasting implications on its reputation and the integrity of Pakistan’s infrastructure projects. It’s vital that transparency and accountability remain at the forefront of these critical decisions.
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