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An intense session of the Senate Standing Committee on Planning, chaired by Senator Quratulain Marri, saw sharp criticism directed at the National Highway Authority (NHA) over what lawmakers described as disproportionate development spending in Punjab at the expense of underdeveloped provinces like Balochistan and Sindh.
The controversy stemmed from a briefing in which NHA officials revealed plans for a 16-kilometer motorway from Lahore to Raiwind, drawing immediate backlash from senators who questioned the logic, need, and motivation behind the project.
“Are You Building a Motorway for One House?” — Senator Marri Blasts NHA
Chairperson Senator Quratulain Marri openly challenged the Raiwind motorway plan, implying that it was designed to benefit the residence of the Sharif family, which is located in Raiwind.
“Are you building a motorway just for one house?” she asked NHA officials, demanding accountability on who would fund the project.
“Will the provincial government or NHA pay for this motorway?” she pressed.
In response, NHA officials stated that land surveying was currently underway, but no final decision had been made on funding sources.
Marri further questioned why major cities like Karachi, which houses a major seaport and contributes significantly to the national economy, are being overlooked in infrastructure planning.
“We are surprised why such a motorway is not being built in Karachi,” she said. “Why are you not building a motorway where there is a port in Karachi?”
Balochistan Neglected, Senators Demand Fair Treatment
Senator Manzoor Kakar delivered an emotional and impassioned critique of the NHA’s development priorities, lamenting the complete absence of motorways in Balochistan despite the province’s vast area and strategic importance.
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“Do people not live in Balochistan, which is why there is no motorway there?” he asked, pointing out that Punjab has seven motorways and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has two, while Balochistan has none.
He also highlighted the extensive damage caused by recent floods in Balochistan, which destroyed over 1,000 kilometers of roads and bridges, and accused the NHA of failing to carry out adequate restoration work.
“Can you tell me how many roads have been restored? I know nothing has been done,” he said.
“Punjab alone is not Pakistan; for God’s sake, don’t do this.”
While acknowledging some of the NHA’s work, he argued that praise was limited to projects in Punjab, and demanded equity for the rest of the country.
Committee Recommends No New Motorways in Punjab
In response to the complaints, Senator Marri proposed a formal recommendation that no further motorways be built in Punjab until other provinces, especially Balochistan, receive their fair share of infrastructure development.
The committee also called for a detailed briefing on all existing and planned road projects in Balochistan to be presented at the next meeting.
“We will recommend that no more motorways be built in Punjab. Other provinces, especially Balochistan, should also have motorways,” Marri concluded.
Budget and Project Concerns: Over PKR 1 Trillion Spent in 2024-25
Earlier in the session, Planning Ministry officials revealed that the government had spent PKR 1,000 billion on Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) projects in the last fiscal year (2024–25).
They also acknowledged that 55 unapproved projects were included in the current PSDP—raising concerns among senators about fiscal discipline and transparency.
NHA officials noted that Rs. 100 billion had been allocated for the N-5 highway in Balochistan, and that seven additional highway projects were planned with foreign assistance.
M-6 and GT Road Upgrades Underway
The committee was briefed on progress related to the long-delayed Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway (M-6). Officials confirmed that the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) will fund three sections of the motorway, while the remaining two will be developed through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
Additionally, they announced that the GT Road between Hyderabad and Sukkur would also be upgraded as part of a broader regional connectivity initiative.
Concerns Over Cultural Infrastructure and Mismanagement
In a side discussion, Senator Saadia Abbasi raised concerns about the state of public libraries and cultural institutions. She cited the example of a large government library in Islamabad where books were reportedly infested with termites, pointing to neglect and poor maintenance.
She questioned the rationale behind launching new projects like the Allama Iqbal Research Center and Library when existing institutions are underfunded and poorly managed.
“Why are we establishing new institutions when we can’t even maintain the ones we have?” she asked.
Both Abbasi and Marri emphasized the need for better oversight and rational use of development funds, stressing that criticism of government inefficiencies should not be misconstrued as political hostility.
“Our comments are not anti-government. They are pro-people,” said Abbasi.
Looking Ahead: Equal Development or Continued Disparities?
As the committee prepares for its next session, the spotlight will remain on how the government addresses regional disparities in infrastructure planning. The demand for balanced development across all provinces—particularly Balochistan and Sindh—has gained urgency amid ongoing political and economic challenges.
Whether the Planning Ministry and NHA heed the Senate committee’s recommendations could shape not just the road network of Pakistan, but also public trust in equitable governance.
