Islamabad: National Assembly Standing Committee on Communications expressed serious concern over the deterioration of roads shortly after completion due to substandard construction and poor planning.

In a meeting under the chairmanship of Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani, MNA, the committee reviewed several matters concerning road infrastructure, project delays, maintenance standards, toll collection, and ongoing motorway schemes.

The committee expressed dissatisfaction over the Ministry’s response in which it attributed the problem to extreme weather conditions and inadequate maintenance funds. the committee 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 and 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 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.

Syed Hafeezuddin, convener of the 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 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.