PAC Exposes Rs42B NHA Toll & Penalty Irregularities

ISLAMABAD: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Tuesday blasted the National Highway Authority (NHA) for massive financial irregularities, exposing Rs26.4 billion in unpaid toll dues and nearly Rs16 billion in unrecovered penalties from overloaded trucks, causing huge losses to the national exchequer. Chaired by Moeen Amir Pirzada, the committee reviewed 15 audit paras on toll collection, axle load enforcement, and recovery mechanisms for FY2023–24. Audit officials revealed Rs26.4 billion toll revenue outstanding against NHA, with NHA claiming adjustments against PSDP allocations and ongoing talks with NLC, FWO, and private contractors. Members slammed the absence of NLC and FWO reps and raised alarm that firms with unpaid dues still get new contracts. The PAC directed private contractors to clear dues within 60 days, government entities by June, with legal action threatened for non-compliance. On overloaded vehicles, auditors reported Rs17 billion penalties imposed on 18,000 trucks but only Rs1 billion recovered, leaving Rs16 billion outstanding — based on NHA toll plaza records. Secretary Communications disputed figures as “assumptions” from pre-operational axle systems, claiming 236 weigh stations now cover 90% of highways/motorways. Auditor General rejected the claim, insisting data came from NHA itself. The PAC ordered joint reconciliation before the next meeting and summoned senior NLC/FWO officials for detailed recovery briefing. Additional Rs1.1 billion toll recoverable from FBR also flagged, with members questioning un-enforced advance recovery clauses in contracts.