Lawmakers have flagged irregularities in NHA’s (National Highway Authority) handling of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Tranche-III road project, valued at Rs170 billion, citing irregularities in the project award process.
The parliamentary committees’ scrutiny extends to two other road projects involving the same joint venture (JV) partners, highlighting alleged violations of procurement rules, collusive bidding, and improper tender procedures.
A key allegation involves the reinstatement of a JV firm that had been disqualified in 2023 for failing to complete the 62km Lodhran-Multan road section. Despite the prior disqualification, the firm was allowed to bid for the Tranche-III project.
Further concerns have been raised over the appointment of an arbitrator with prior affiliations to the JV partners, potentially creating a conflict of interest. NHA has also been criticized for failing to provide complete documentation to parliamentary committees, obstructing transparency.
The Senate and National Assembly’s standing committees have been investigating the matter for over four months. Lawmakers have called for Supreme Court intervention to annul the contract and ensure accountability, warning that failure to act could compromise public trust in large-scale infrastructure projects.
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The Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) had earlier barred NHA from awarding contracts to the same JV due to incomplete documentation. Past performance issues, including unfinished projects and ongoing litigation involving the JV, have further fueled concerns.
The ongoing probe into CAREC Tranche-III underscores the urgent need for transparent procurement practices in Pakistan’s road development projects. Lawmakers have urged corrective measures to prevent similar irregularities in future infrastructure initiatives.
