Shehbaz Orders Third-Party Audit of All NHA Projects

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed that all ongoing projects of the National Highway Authority (NHA) undergo third-party audits and instructed officials to formulate a comprehensive plan for constructing highways, motorways and expressways under public-private partnership (PPP) arrangements.

Presiding over a meeting on NHA-related matters, the prime minister highlighted the importance of stronger road connectivity for economic activity and called for greater attention to linking remote and less-connected areas.

The meeting was informed that NHA revenues had risen from Rs109 billion to Rs130 billion during the last financial year, while collections were expected to increase further to Rs160 billion in the current fiscal year.

The authority is currently using its internally generated revenue to fund several schemes, including the Sialkot-Kharian Motorway (M-12), Kharian-Rawalpindi Motorway (M-13), Peshawar Northern Bypass, reconstruction of the Jaglot-Skardu Road (S-1), upgrading of the Pindi Bhattian-Faisalabad stretch of the M-4, rehabilitation of the N-5 between Multan and Lodhran, and construction of approach roads linked to the Layyah-Taunsa Bridge.

Officials informed the meeting that 16 NHA projects had reached their final completion phases. These include the N-5 upgrade from T-Chowk Islamabad to Banth, remodelling of the Islamabad-Chungi No. 26 interchange, extension of Margalla Avenue to connect GT Road with the M-1, the Pindi Bhattian-Faisalabad section upgrade of the M-4 and the Quetta Western Bypass.

Several other schemes are also approaching completion, including the Pindi Gheb-Jand Road, Bhang Interchange on the M-5, Nokundi-Mashkhel Road, dualisation of Old Bannu Road, and the Sehwan-San and Ratodero-Shikarpur stretches of the Indus Highway (N-55).

Officials further said construction activity was expected to commence shortly on the M-13, Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway (M-6), rehabilitation of the N-5 between Nowshera and Peshawar, reconstruction of the N-5 section from Rawalpindi to Hassan Abdal, rehabilitation of the Moro-Hala stretch and reconstruction of the Ranipur-Rohri section.

The Sialkot-Kharian and Kharian-Rawalpindi motorways are being developed through PPP arrangements, according to officials.

The meeting also reviewed the proposed Guru Nanak Expressway, which would connect Kartarpur with Nankana Sahib, along with plans for a Mansehra-Chilas Expressway through Naran. Officials said the latter project could shorten the travel distance between Mansehra and Chilas by 146 kilometres.