Islamabad, 01 August 2026: The 17th meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Special Initiatives was held today at Parliament House, Islamabad, under the Chairmanship of Syed Abdul Qadir Gilani, MNA.

 

The Committee received a comprehensive briefing from the National Highway Authority on the implementation status of the Sukkur–Hyderabad Motorway (M-6) and the Karachi Northern Bypass (M-10). The Committee was informed that procedural scrutiny and compliance requirements of international financing partners had been the principal factors contributing to delays in the M-6 project. The NHA informed the Committee that significant progress had been made, including cooperation extended by the Government of Sindh, and assured the Committee that the project would move forward in accordance with the implementation schedule.

 

Regarding the M-10 project, the Committee was informed that the project is currently at the feasibility stage and that internationally renowned consultants are being engaged to validate the feasibility and technical design. The NHA further informed the Committee that the project is proposed to be executed in different contract packages and possesses strong potential for implementation through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode. It was noted that technical aspects, including the proposed elevated sections of the alignment, should be carefully evaluated during the feasibility process.

 

The Committee also discussed the Calling Attention Notice relating to the Lahore–Bahawalnagar Motorway project. During the discussion, Members stressed the importance of announcing projects only after all planning and technical prerequisites have been completed in order to avoid unrealistic public commitments and implementation delays.

 

Reviewing the broader road infrastructure portfolio, the Committee discussed the status of several national highway projects, including the Lahore–Kasur–Depalpur Motorway (M-17), National Highway (N-5), Indus Highway N-55, the Dera Murad Jamali Bypass (N-25) and other ongoing schemes.

 

The Committee emphasized that construction quality should remain a primary consideration in future highway projects and called for stronger quality assurance mechanisms, particularly for long-term durability of road infrastructure. The NHA informed the Committee that, owing to fiscal constraints and a shrinking PSDP, project prioritization and phased implementation had become necessary. The Committee also discussed greater private sector participation in the operation and maintenance of national highways.

 

The Committee was briefed on the status of Treatment Plant-5 (TP-5) under the Greater Karachi Sewerage Plan (S-III). The Karachi Port Trust informed the Committee that approximately 124 acres of land are required for the project; however, litigation and land ownership issues have impeded progress. Expressing concern over the prolonged delay, the Committee directed the KPT to actively pursue resolution of the matter with the Government of Sindh and to submit a detailed project blueprint, technical justification for the land requirement, and an updated feasibility assessment incorporating modern engineering solutions and technologies. The Committee also sought solution to issues relating to oil trenches, their maintenance, and associated safety and security measures.

 

The Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives also briefed the Committee on the formulation of the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP). The Committee directed the Ministry to provide province-wise details of PSDP savings, including lapsed and surrendered funds, for further examination.

 

Concluding the meeting, the Chairman directed all concerned ministries and departments to expedite implementation of ongoing development projects, ensure timely resolution of outstanding issues, and furnish comprehensive written progress reports on the matters discussed before the next meeting of the Committee.

 

The meeting was attended by Members of the National Assembly Committee including Ch. Muhammad Shahbaz Babar, Maj. (R) Tahir Iqbal, Mr. Zulfiqar Bachani, Mr. Farhan Chishti, Ms. Akhtar Bibi, Mr. Ahmad Raza Maneka, and Ms. Naz Baloch, MNA (virtually). Senior officials from the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, National Highway Authority (NHA), Karachi Port Trust (KPT), and other relevant federal and provincial departments also attended the meeting.