Senate Slams NHA Over Corruption Allegations

Islamabad, September 6, 2025, 09:25 PM PKT — The Senate Sub-Committee on Communications has launched a fierce offensive, threatening privilege motions and National Accountability Bureau (NAB) referrals against the National Highway Authority (NHA), accusing it of corruption, incompetence, and contempt of Parliament, including awarding contracts to a blacklisted foreign firm, as revealed during a heated meeting at Parliament House, chaired by Senator Kamil Ali Agha. The focus was the Tranche-III (Rajanpur–D.G. Khan–D.I. Khan) section of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) project, with senators fuming over the absence of the NHA chairman and Secretary Communications and failure to provide updated documents.

Senator Saifullah Abro demanded the secretary’s removal, labeling officials guilty of contempt, threatening independent action if NHA chairman ignores recommendations. Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro, online, branded NHA a corrupt, failed entity, vowing a privilege motion and NAB referral, citing negative media campaigns against the Senate. Outrage peaked over NHA’s contract with Ninja Communication Construction (NXCC), a blacklisted Chinese firm, deemed illegal by the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PEPRA), with NHA withholding bidding and financial documents, admitting to outdated submissions. Senator Abro alleged pressure from NHA officers and contractors to halt inquiries, insisting on the secretary’s appearance or removal.

The sub-committee flagged a non-performing contractor’s reinstatement via arbitration despite disqualification, raising transparency, procurement, and fiscal responsibility concerns, with PEPRA noting obstructed inquiries due to NHA’s document refusal. The committee directed NHA to submit comprehensive recommendations by the next session on September 15, 2025, warning that non-cooperation could trigger stricter measures, including accountability referrals, while vowing continued oversight for transparency and public accountability. Web context on infrastructure scandals shows past failures, while posts found on X reflect anger mixed with resolve—some demand action, others question effectiveness. Critically, the narrative of “parliamentary oversight” may mask deep-rooted issues—web data hints at systemic corruption, and X sentiment suggests distrust in meaningful reform, pointing to potential stalemates.