Islamabad, The Senate Standing Committee on Communications, chaired by Senator Prince Ahmed Umer Ahmedzai, convened today at Parliament Lodges to review several significant infrastructure projects and initiatives. The meeting focused on updates regarding various motorway projects and the National Highways Authority’s (NHA) operational status.
According to Senate of Pakistan, the meeting opened with a briefing on the Sialkot-Khariyan Motorway Project by NHA Chairman Mr. Arshad Majeed. He informed the committee that financial closure for the project has yet to be declared due to incomplete handover of project land, partly resulting from a change in the Chenab bridge alignment by the Irrigation Department. Ali Sher Mehsud, Secretary of the Ministry of Communications, added that alignment issues have been a primary obstacle to the project’s progress.
The Kharian-Rawalpindi Motorway Project was also discussed, with Majeed providing details on the correspondence process from the Letter of Intent issuance to the eventual contract cancellation with relevant contractors. He emphasized the absence of physical or written correspondence from the contractors and affirmed NHA’s adherence to laws and bidding conditions in procurement.
The committee addressed the re-tendering process for the aforementioned project, influenced by market conditions and government investment policies. Senator Ahmedzai advised NHA to monitor costs closely and assured support in this regard. A similar issue with contractors was noted in the Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway (M-9) project, leading to the termination notice issued by NHA on December 19, 2023, and ongoing restructuring efforts with stakeholders.
Additionally, the rehabilitation of the Balkasar-Danda Shah Bilawal Section was discussed, with an expected completion date of March 15, 2024, contingent upon fund availability. NHA provided an analysis of Periodic Maintenance Works across provinces, with plans to improve approximately 6,835 kilometers of road by June 2024, involving a total of 178 completed projects.
The committee reviewed NHA’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, recruitment status, and the practice of officers holding multiple posts. The chairman proposed establishing regional training institutes for NHA with qualified local personnel.
Furthermore, the Director General of Pakistan Postal Services briefed on the nationwide establishment of NADRA counters in post offices, and the Secretary of the Ministry of Communications highlighted NADRA’s agreement with Pakistan Post Office Department for CNIC services. Discussions also covered the operational feasibility of issuing Child Registration Certificates and the restoration of bank facilities in post offices.
In conclusion, the committee expressed optimism about the Ministry’s efforts. Attendees included Senator Muhammad Akram, Senator Umer Farooq, Ministry of Communications officials, NHA Chairman, and the Director General of the Postal Service of Pakistan.