Islamabad: The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Inter-Provincial Coordination convened on Thursday, focusing on critical infrastructure and resource concerns impacting the Muzaffargarh region. Chaired by Mr. Muhammad Sana Ullah Khan Masti Khel, the meeting highlighted the pressing need for road repairs, water management, and natural gas provision.

Officials from the National Highway Authority and Punjab’s Communications and Works Department briefed the committee on the dire state of roads in District Muzaffargarh. The committee expressed serious concern about the more than 2,300 fatalities attributed to road accidents in the last four years. Urging swift action, the committee directed the NHA to collaborate with the Punjab government to secure funding for road maintenance and to consider upgrading roads to expressway status.

Water scarcity in the Muzaffargarh and Rung Pur canals was another key issue. The committee decided to form a sub-committee led by Mr. Jamshed Ahmed to address the challenges, with Sheikh Aftab Ahmed and Haji Rasool Bux Chandio as members.

The committee also addressed natural gas accessibility challenges in NA-91, directing SNGPL to prioritize resolving these issues and establish a facilitation center in Darya Khan town. The ongoing ban on new gas connections was criticized for hampering development, with the committee recommending its removal to allow new connections.

The meeting saw participation from several members of the National Assembly, including representatives from the NHA, SNGPL, and the Ministry of IPC. The discussions underscored the committee’s commitment to improving infrastructure and resource management in Punjab.