NA committee directs NHA to prioritise ongoing projects, bolster Balochistan staff

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Communications on Tuesday directed the National Highway Authority (NHA) to prioritise ongoing development schemes, complete delayed projects on time and strengthen its workforce in Balochistan, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported.

The committee met at NHA Headquarters under MNA Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani. It reviewed road infrastructure, earlier recommendations, major motorway projects, road safety and the performance of the Motorway Police. It also confirmed the minutes of its 19th meeting, held on September 2, 2026.

MNA Syed Rafiullah raised Starred Question No. 55 on roads that deteriorate soon after completion because of substandard construction and inadequate planning. He was dissatisfied with the NHA's response. He said missing surveys, load evaluations and soil tests contribute to early deterioration, and that contracts were awarded without adequate planning, wasting public funds. The committee directed the NHA to submit a project-wise report on substandard construction and on projects undertaken without adequate planning.

MNA Muhammad Shaharyar Khan Mahar drew attention to the deteriorated Sukkur–Shikarpur highway, citing frequent accidents. The committee found the responses of the NHA and the Member (Sindh) unsatisfactory. The NHA CEO admitted a mistake and acknowledged that pictures shown to the committee did not reflect the actual situation on the ground.

The committee directed the Member (Sindh) to visit the highway with the mover and report on its actual condition at the next meeting. It also told the NHA to immediately post a competent General Manager at Sukkur and share the posting orders. The previous General Manager there was suspended in September 2026.

The CEO said construction on Sections III, IV and V of the M-6 Sukkur–Hyderabad Motorway would begin by January 2027, and that the committee's chairman and members would be invited to the inauguration ceremony. The committee directed that the project's GM/PD be posted in Sindh instead of Islamabad.

The delay on the Karachi Port–Qayyumabad Road, raised by MNA Syed Hafeezuddin, was closed with the mover's consent because it falls under provincial jurisdiction.

The committee also directed the NHA to propose legislation, including a draft Bill, giving ongoing PSDP schemes priority over new ones. The Dera Murad Jamali Bypass received no allocation in the current year's PSDP, and the NHA was told to present a comprehensive proposal on completing it and funding it at the next meeting.