ISLAMABAD: The meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Communications was convened today at 11:00 am in Committee Room 02 of the Parliament House, Islamabad, under the Chairmanship of Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani, MNA. The session confirmed the minutes of the previous meeting and included comprehensive briefings on the implementation of the Committee’s previous recommendations.
According to National Assembly of Pakistan, the Ministry of Communications provided a detailed briefing on the M-6 Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway, highlighting its status as the Ministry’s top priority due to its national connectivity and socio-economic benefits. The Committee recommended that the M-6 should extend from Karachi to Sukkur instead of Hyderabad to Sukkur, noting that the M-9 does not meet international motorway standards. The Ministry suggested pursuing the M-6 project through public-private partnerships (PPP) for its viability instead of relying solely on the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP). They also urged the Sindh government to complete the acquisition of the remaining 1,500 acres of land required for the project, from the total 7,500 acres, as funds are already provided to the provincial government. It was further recommended that the M-6 be developed in a single phase rather than in segments from Karachi to Sukkur. The Ministry also pointed out a significant funding gap, with only 161
billion rupees allocated this year to the National Highway Authority (NHA), which required approximately 650 billion for its 115 ongoing projects.
The Minister for Communications noted that NHA’s annual revenue has increased from 64 billion to 110 billion rupees, which should be reinvested in road construction and maintenance. The Committee lauded the Minister and Ministry for their progress in this area. The Chairman of the Standing Committee instructed the Ministry to submit pre-budget road schemes for the National Highway Authority (NHA) for the Committee’s review and directed the NHA to include the M-6 project in next year’s PSDP.
The Committee advised focusing on fewer schemes to avoid financial losses, cost overruns, and delays due to non-payment to contractors. It also reviewed several other key infrastructure projects, urging the Ministry to prioritize initiatives like the New Baran Bridge construction, the Thatta-Kinjhar Road, completion of N-70 and N-45 roads, dualization of the Quetta-Zhob road, Zhob and Shahdadkot bypasses, connectivity of Lahore Ring Road to Karachi and Islamabad motorways, Karachi-Khuzdar road, Sialkot-Karachi motorway, Dera Murad Jamali bypass, Lawari Tunnel, Khairpur-Larkana bridge, Kalash Valley road, Chitral road, and Sheikhupura road.
The Standing Committee on Communications expressed confidence in the Ministry’s ability to fulfill its mandate, acknowledging positive steps towards improving performance and executing critical projects. The Chairman affirmed the Committee’s commitment to support the Ministry in overcoming current challenges, ensuring timely project completion, and facilitating future initiatives, especially concerning the Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway, due to its strategic importance in enhancing connectivity and economic growth. The Committee plans to continue collaborating with the Ministry to ensure all projects align with national development goals and provide tangible benefits to the public.
The meeting included the presence of the Minister for Communications, Abdul Aleem Khan, and Hon. Members of the Standing Committee, namely Rana Mubashir Iqbal, MNA, Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan Nasar, MNA, Haji Jamal Shah Kakar, MNA, Ms. Akhtar Bibi, MNA, Dr. Darshan, MNA, Syed Ayaz Ali Shah Sheerazi, MNA, Mr. Nazir Ahmed Bhugio, MNA, Syed Mustafa Kamal, MNA, Mr. Muhammad Awn Saqlain, MNA, Mr. Mehboob Shah, MNA, Mr. Ramesh Lal, MNA, Mr. Abdul Latif, MNA, Mr. Muhammad Usman Badini, MNA, and Mr. Hameed Hussain, MNA. Senior officials from the Ministry of Communications, the Ministry of Planning and Development, and their affiliated departments, along with representatives from the government of Sindh, were also in attendance.