ISLAMABAD, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 2nd Sep, 2026) National Assembly Standing Committee on Communications on Wednesday reviewed several matters concerning road infrastructure, project delays, maintenance standards, toll collection, and ongoing motorway schemes.
The 19th meeting of the committee, chaired by MNA Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani, was held at the Constitution Room, Parliament House.
The meeting began with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by confirmation of the minutes of the Committee’s 18th meeting.
The Committee expressed serious dissatisfaction over the Ministry’s response to Starred Question No. 55, moved by Syed Rafiullah, MNA, regarding the deterioration of roads shortly after completion due to substandard construction and poor planning. The Ministry attributed the problem to extreme weather conditions and inadequate maintenance funds. However, the Committee and the Mover were not satisfied with the generalized response and directed the Ministry to provide a specific and comprehensive reply. The Committee noted that the matter had remained pending for nearly eight months and directed the Ministry to appear fully prepared at the next meeting.
The Committee also examined the deteriorated condition of the Sukkur-Shikarpur highway, a matter raised by Mr. Muhammad Shaharyar Khan Mahar, MNA. The Committee expressed concern over the frequent accidents on the road and dissatisfaction with the response of the concerned NHA officials, who stated that periodic maintenance work, had been completed.
The NHA CEO acknowledged the discrepancy between the officials’ response and the actual ground situation. He informed the Committee that an M&I report had been prepared, the concerned official would be suspended, and an inquiry would be conducted. He further assured the Committee that the inquiry findings would be submitted and the outstanding payment to the contractor would not be released. The Ministry was allowed to submit a fresh response at the next meeting.
On the Ratodero-Gwadar Motorway (M-8), the Committee considered the matter raised by Mr. Khurshid Ahmed Junejo, MNA, regarding provision of funds for completion of the project. The Ministry informed the Committee that a hydrological study would be undertaken to identify the most suitable design for the area linking Sindh with Balochistan.
The report will be presented at the next meeting, while completion of the work was assured by November 2026. On the assurance given by the Ministry and with the consent of the Mover, the Committee closed the matter.
The Committee deferred the matter concerning the delayed construction of the Karachi Port-Qayyumabad Road on the request of Syed Hafeezuddin, MNA, who sought time to redraft the agenda for consideration at next Committee meeting.
Syed Hafeezuddin, Convener of the Committee’s Sub-Committee, also presented the report concerning NHA throw-forward schemes under PSDP 2026-27, toll plazas on under-construction roads, and the award of all toll plazas in Sindh to a single contractor. The Committee noted the Sub-Committee’s dissatisfaction over the absence of the Secretary Communications and CEO NHA without prior information, as well as the inadequate response from Ministry and NHA representatives.
The NA body decided to consider the Sub-Committee’s TORs directly at its next meeting and asked the Hon. Member of the Committee to meet the NHA CEO today regarding toll collection on under-construction roads, particularly where such collection is contrary to NHA policy and adequate facilities are not available to the commuters.
The Committee was further informed that work on the Sukkur-Hyderabad (M-6) Motorway would commence by the end of October 2026. The Committee decided to visit the project site, hold the Committee meeting there and attend the groundbreaking ceremony.
The Committee also reviewed matters concerning the New Baran Bridge, Dera Murad Jamali Bypass, completion of the Bhong Interchange, the poor condition of the Pindi-Batya–Sahianwala Road, and progress on the M-10 project.
The meeting was attended by MNAs Muhammad Bilal Badar, Muhammad Azhar Khan Leghari, Shamsher Ali Mazari, Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan Nasar, Akhtar Bibi, Dr Darshan, Shabbir Ali Bijarani, Nazir Ahmed Bhugio, Syed Hafeezuddin, Syed Ayaz Ali Shah Sheerazi, Ramesh Lal, Usman Badini (via Zoom) and Hameed Hussain.
The Hon. Movers Syed Rafiullah, Mr. Muhammad Shaharyar Khan Mahar, and Mr. Khurshid Ahmed Junejo, MNAs also attended the meeting.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Communications, along with representatives of the National Highway Authority and other attached departments, also attended the meeting.
