Islamabad, Mar 27, 2025: The Senate Standing Committee on Communications, chaired by Senator Pervez Rashid, convened on Wednesday to assess the Ministry of Communications’ Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) initiatives for 2025-26.
The review covered significant infrastructure projects, including progress on the M-6 and M-9 motorways.
During the meeting, the Chairman of the National Highway Authority (NHA) unveiled a financial fraud case linked to land acquisition funds for the M-6 motorway.
According to reports, a Deputy Commissioner misappropriated Rs. 5.7 million, out of which Rs. 3.2 million has been successfully retrieved.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has launched an investigation into the matter. Senator Pervez Rashid described it as a rare instance where a government official directly misused state funds.
The NHA briefed the committee that a total of 105 infrastructure projects, valued at over Rs. 240 billion, are currently in progress.
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From this allocation, Rs. 56 billion has already been disbursed to facilitate ongoing developments.
A global consultancy firm has recommended segmenting the Hyderabad-Sukkur M-6 motorway into five phases, with the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) expressing interest in funding three of them.
Furthermore, negotiations with Azerbaijan are in progress to explore alternate routes for the M-6 and M-9 motorways.
Senator Maulana Abdul Wasey stressed the importance of expediting work on the D.I. Khan-Kuchlak-Zhob highway.
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However, NHA representatives cited security challenges as a major impediment to swift execution.
Additionally, the committee underscored the significance of prioritizing key infrastructure projects across various regions.
These include the M-25 and M-28 motorways in Balochistan, the M-6 motorway in Sindh, and the Dasu Dam segment of the Karakoram Highway in Gilgit-Baltistan.
The committee emphasized the need for efficient resource allocation and streamlined implementation to ensure timely project completion.
As the government focuses on enhancing the country’s transport network, these developments will boost economic connectivity and regional integration.
The committee urged all stakeholders to address logistical, financial, and security-related challenges to ensure the seamless execution of these critical projects.
