BY: ANI Correspondent:
ISLAMABAD—The Senate Standing Committee on Communications, chaired by Senator Pervaiz Rashid, on Monday reviewed the recent motorway incident involving a couple and discussed delays in major national highway projects, emphasizing timely completion of ongoing schemes and improved funding arrangements.
The meeting was attended by Senators Dost Ali Jeesar, Zamir Hussain Ghumro, Muhammad Abdul Qadir, Kamil Ali Agha, Abdul Wasay and Saif Ullah Abro.
The committee deferred agenda items on road projects in Chitral and Balochistan, including CPEC-linked highways and the Karachi–Bela Road, due to the absence of the movers.
Briefing the committee, the Inspector General of the Motorway Police said the July 16 incident involved a vehicle parked on the roadside. He clarified that moral policing was not part of the force’s standard operating procedures (SOPs), adding that the officer involved had been suspended and an inquiry was underway.
The committee was informed that the 298-kilometre Kuchlak–Zhob (N-50) project remained incomplete due to a shortage of funds. Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro questioned delays in ongoing projects, while Senator Muhammad Abdul Qadir raised concerns over the allocation of development funds for Balochistan.
Members also discussed ensuring timely release of funds for road projects through quarterly disbursements and a bridge financing mechanism for contractors. The committee agreed to take up the issue of project financing separately to help improve future policy decisions.
Senior officials of the Ministry of Communications, the National Highway Authority (NHA) and the Motorway Police attended the meeting.
