Islamabad: The Standing Committee on Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives convened its 14th meeting at Parliament House, chaired by Syed Abdul Kadir Gillani, MNA, amid concerns over the Federal Government’s Rs. 465 billion Lahore-Bahawalnagar Motorway Project. The committee discussed issues related to alleged violations of federal fiscal priorities and resource allocation.

According to National Assembly of Pakistan: The ministry briefed the committee on the project’s current status, addressing completion timelines and financing arrangements. Members raised concerns over the viability of the Public-Private Partnership model amid fiscal constraints and inflation. The meeting also reviewed the incomplete status of the N-5 National Highway, delayed due to ongoing litigation. The committee directed the ministry to submit a comprehensive report on the matter.

Additional discussions highlighted the need for special development projects in Dera Ismail Khan, with an emphasis on the limitations of provincial governments in executing large-scale infrastructure initiatives. Proposals for urgent development interventions in the region were considered. The committee also deliberated on challenges in project implementation, noting inconsistencies in administrative and financial criteria.

Dissatisfaction with the briefing led to the formation of sub-committees to examine issues related to the motorway project and delays in projects by the Pakistan Infrastructure Development Company Limited. A verification visit to IFRAP-related infrastructure projects in Balochistan was also decided.

Concerns over discrepancies in education and health initiatives, based on reports by UNICEF and others, were raised by Ms. Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro, MNA. Questions about development spending in Punjab were also considered, with the ministry clarifying that education and health are provincial subjects post-constitutional devolution. The committee raised no reservations about the PSDP budgetary proposals for the next fiscal year, deferring consideration of certain legislative amendments to a future meeting. The meeting saw participation from various MNAs and MPAs, with some joining via video link.