Islamabad, September 2, 2026: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Communications has expressed serious concern over the deteriorating condition of roads, delays in major highway projects and alleged irregularities in toll collection, directing the Ministry of Communications and National Highway Authority (NHA) officials to provide clear explanations and take corrective action.
The committee met at Parliament House on Wednesday under the chairmanship of MNA Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani and reviewed a range of issues relating to road infrastructure, maintenance, ongoing motorway schemes, project delays and toll collection.
The committee expressed dissatisfaction with the Ministry of Communications’ response to Starred Question No. 55, moved by MNA Syed Rafiullah, concerning roads deteriorating soon after completion due to alleged substandard construction and poor planning.
he Ministry attributed the deterioration to extreme weather conditions and inadequate funds for maintenance. However, the committee and the mover rejected what they termed a generalised response and directed the Ministry to submit a specific and comprehensive explanation.
The committee noted that the matter had remained pending for nearly eight months and directed ministry officials to appear fully prepared at its next meeting.
The committee also took serious notice of the deteriorated condition of the Sukkur-Shikarpur highway and the frequent accidents reported on the road.
The matter was raised by MNA Muhammad Shaharyar Khan Mahar, who expressed dissatisfaction with the response of concerned NHA officials claiming that periodic maintenance had already been carried out.
NHA Chief Executive Officer acknowledged the discrepancy between the officials’ response and the actual condition of the road. He informed the committee that a Maintenance and Inspection (M&I) report had been prepared and that the concerned official would be suspended pending an inquiry.
The CEO further assured the committee that the inquiry findings would be submitted and that the outstanding payment to the contractor would not be released until the matter was addressed.
The committee allowed the Ministry to submit a fresh response at its next meeting.
Regarding the Ratodero-Gwadar Motorway (M-8), the committee considered the issue of funding for completion of the project, raised by MNA Khurshid Ahmed Junejo.
The Ministry informed the committee that a hydrological study would be conducted to determine the most suitable design for the section connecting Sindh with Balochistan.
Officials assured the committee that the study would be presented at the next meeting and that work on the project would be completed by November 2026.
In view of the assurance and with the consent of the mover, the committee closed the matter.
The committee deferred consideration of the delayed construction of the Karachi Port-Qayyumabad Road after MNA Syed Hafeezuddin requested additional time to redraft the agenda for discussion at the next meeting.
Syed Hafeezuddin, convener of the committee’s sub-committee, presented its report on NHA throw-forward schemes under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2026-27, toll plazas on under-construction roads and the award of all toll plazas in Sindh to a single contractor.
The committee expressed dissatisfaction over the absence of the Secretary Communications and NHA CEO from the sub-committee proceedings without prior information. It also criticised what it described as inadequate responses from Ministry and NHA representatives.
The committee decided to take up the sub-committee’s terms of reference directly at its next meeting.
It also directed the concerned member to meet the NHA CEO regarding toll collection on under-construction roads, particularly in cases where such collection may be contrary to NHA policy or where adequate facilities are not available for commuters.
The committee was informed that construction work on the Sukkur-Hyderabad (M-6) Motorway is expected to commence by the end of October 2026.
The committee decided to visit the project site, hold a committee meeting there and attend the groundbreaking ceremony.
It also reviewed progress on several other infrastructure projects and roads, including the New Baran Bridge, Dera Murad Jamali Bypass, Bhong Interchange, Pindi-Batya–Sahianwala Road and the M-10 project.
Members of the Standing Committee, movers of various agenda items, and senior officials from the Ministry of Communications, NHA and other attached departments attended the meeting.
The committee’s deliberations reflected growing parliamentary concern over the quality and timely completion of road projects, accountability for maintenance failures and the collection of tolls where infrastructure and commuter facilities remain inadequate.
