Islamabad, the 14th November, 2024.

The meeting of National Assembly Standing Committee on Communications was convened today at 11:00 am. in the Committee Room 02 of the Parliament House, Islamabad, under the Chairmanship of Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani, MNA.

During the meeting, the minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed. Comprehensive briefings on the implementation of the Committee’s previous recommendations were conducted.

The Ministry of Communications provided a detailed briefing on M-6 Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway. It was apprised that M-6 is Ministry’s top most priority owing to its national connectivity and socio-economic benefits. It was recommended that the M-6 should be from Karachi to Sukkur, not from Hyderabad to Sukkur, as M-9 does not meet the requirement of international standards of motorway. The Ministry stated that the M-6 project should be pursued through public-private partnerships (PPP) instead of relying on the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP), citing its viability The Ministry also urged the Sindh government to acquire the remaining 1,500 acres of land required for the project, out of the total 7,500 acres as funds are provided to the provincial government. It recommended that M-6 be developed in a single phase rather than in segments from Karachi to Sukkur. Additionally, the Ministry highlighted a significant funding shortfall, with only 161 billion rupees allocated this year to the National Highway Authority (NHA), which requested approximately 650 billion for its 115 ongoing projects.
 
The Minister for Communications noted that NHA's annual revenue has increased from 64 billion to 110 billion rupees and should be reinvested in road construction and maintenance. The Committee commended the Minister and Ministry for their progress in this regard.

The Chairman Standing Committee directed the Ministry to submit the pre-budget road schemes for the National Highway Authority (NHA) to the Standing Committee for review. Additionally, the NHA was instructed to include the M-6 project in next year's PSDP.

The Standing Committee advised focusing on fewer schemes to avoid financial losses, cost overruns, and delays caused by non-payment to contractors.
 
The Committee also reviewed several other key infrastructure projects and emphasized that the Ministry should prioritize the following as highlighted by the Members of the Committee: the construction of the New Baran Bridge, the Thatta-Kinjhar Road, completion of N-70 and N-45 roads, the dualization of the Quetta-Zhob road, the Zhob and Shahdad kot bypasses, the connectivity of Lahore Ring Road to the Karachi and Islamabad motorways, the Karachi-Khuzdar road, the Sialkot-Karachi motorway, the Dera Murad Jamali bypass, the Lawari Tunnel, the Khairpur-Larkana bridge, the Kalash Valley road, the Chitral road, and the Sheikhupura road.

The Standing Committee on Communications expressed its confidence in the Ministry's ability to deliver on its mandate, recognizing the positive steps taken towards improving performance and executing critical projects.

The Chairman Standing Committee said that the Committee will remain committed to support the Ministry in overcoming current challenges, ensuring the timely completion of ongoing projects, and facilitating future initiatives. Special attention will be given to the Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway, recognizing its strategic importance in bolstering connectivity and economic growth. The Committee will continue to work closely with the Ministry to ensure that all projects align with national development goals and deliver tangible benefits to the people.

Besides the Minister for Communications, Abdul Aleem Khan, the meeting was also attended by Hon. Members of the Standing Committee namely, Rana Mubashir Iqbal, MNA, Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan Nasar, MNA, Haji Jamal Shah Kakar, MNA, Ms. Akhtar Bibi, MNA, Dr. Darshan, MNA, Syed Ayaz Ali Shah Sheerazi, MNA, Mr. Nazir Ahmed Bhugio, MNA, Syed Mustafa Kamal, MNA, Mr. Muhammad Awn Saqlain, MNA, Mr. Mehboob Shah, MNA, Mr. Ramesh Lal, MNA, Mr. Abdul Latif, MNA, Mr. Muhammad Usman Badini, MNA and Mr. Hameed Hussain, MNA.

Senior officials from the Ministry of Communications, the Ministry of Planning and Development, and their affiliated departments, along with representatives from the government of Sindh, also attended the meeting.