NHA under fire over poor road construction, committee warns of public money going to waste

Poor planning, missing technical tests and substandard construction on National Highway Authority (NHA) projects

Islamabad: Poor planning, missing technical tests and substandard construction on National Highway Authority (NHA) projects have come under serious criticism, with a parliamentary committee warning that roads are deteriorating soon after completion and public money is being wasted. The committee has ordered the NHA to identify projects where construction contracts were awarded without proper surveys, soil tests, load assessments and feasibility studies.

The issue was raised during the 20th meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Communications, chaired by MNA Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani at the NHA headquarters in Islamabad on Tuesday.

During a discussion on Starred Question No. 55, MNA Syed Rafiullah expressed dissatisfaction with the NHA’s reply about roads that deteriorate shortly after construction.

He said the lack of proper planning and technical checks before awarding contracts was leading to poor quality work and the waste of public funds.He pointed out that soil investigations, load evaluations, surveys and other necessary tests must be completed before construction begins. He also questioned how contracts could be awarded without proper technical assessments.

Taking notice of the issue, the committee directed the NHA to submit a detailed report at its next meeting. The report must identify every project where construction was found to be substandard or work began without proper planning. It must also provide details of feasibility studies, surveys, soil tests, load assessments, technical checks, construction standards and inspections carried out after completion.

The committee said the information was necessary to establish accountability and prevent similar problems in future. However, the meeting record did not identify any particular contractor or establish that corruption had taken place.

The condition of the Sukkur to Shikarpur highway also came under criticism after MNA Muhammad Shaharyar Khan Mahar raised concerns over its poor condition and frequent accidents.

The committee rejected the explanations given by the NHA and its Member Sindh. During the discussion, the NHA chief executive admitted that a mistake had occurred and acknowledged that the pictures presented to the committee did not show the actual condition of the highway.

The admission raised further questions about the information being provided to parliamentarians about road conditions and project performance.

Mahar also asked what action had been taken on the committee’s earlier recommendations concerning the General Manager in Sukkur. The committee directed the NHA’s Member Sindh to contact the MNA, personally visit the affected highway with him and submit a detailed report on its actual condition at the next meeting.

The NHA was also ordered to immediately appoint a capable General Manager in Sukkur and provide the posting order to the committee. The previous General Manager had been suspended in September 2026, but a replacement had not been posted by the time of the meeting. The committee warned that the delay could affect ongoing work and administrative matters.

The M6 Sukkur to Hyderabad Motorway project was another major issue. The NHA chief executive informed the committee that construction on Sections III, IV and V was expected to begin by January 2027.

The committee directed the NHA to post the General Manager or Project Director in Sindh instead of Islamabad so that the project could be properly supervised and delays could be avoided. It also stressed that work should be accelerated because the motorway is important for transport links and economic activity in the region.

The committee also questioned the practice of starting new development projects while existing schemes remain incomplete. It directed the NHA to prepare a clear proposal, including a draft law, to ensure that ongoing projects receive priority and are completed before new schemes are launched under the Public Sector Development Programme.

The committee said unfinished projects can lead to growing financial commitments, delays and waste of public resources. It asked the NHA to present its proposal at the next meeting.

The Dera Murad Jamali Bypass also came under discussion because it received no funds in the current year’s Public Sector Development Programme. The committee directed the NHA to explain how the project could be completed and identify possible sources of funding so that it does not remain stalled.

Concerns were also raised over the shortage of NHA staff in Balochistan. The committee said the province has a large road network and long highways that require regular maintenance and supervision, but the available workforce was not enough.

The NHA was asked to propose ways to increase staff strength in Balochistan to a level comparable with other provinces. It was also told to create more opportunities for local people by making them eligible for relevant jobs, keeping the province’s needs in mind.

The committee also reviewed the performance of the Motorway Police over the last three years. Inspector General of Motorway Police briefed members on operations, road safety measures, traffic law enforcement and services provided to commuters.

The committee stressed the need for better road safety, stronger enforcement of traffic rules and improved services for people using motorways.

Separately, the committee decided to close its discussion on delays in the Karachi Port to Qayyumabad Road after MNA Syed Hafeezuddin agreed that the matter mainly fell under provincial jurisdiction.