Musharraf regime: NHA asked to submit records of contracts, authorisations awarded

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Friday directed the National Highway Authority (NHA) to submit all the records of contracts and authorisations awarded during the tenure of former President Pervez Musharraf. The PAC, which met here with Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan in the chair, reviewed the performance of the NHA and expressed serious concern over the mismanagement in the department.
The committee members raised voices that the contract for construction of roads, highways, bridges, repair, establishment of CNG and petrol pumps, service areas and other facilities were awarded totally on favouritism by the former president.
The PAC termed Islamabad-Lahore Motorway as a national asset and observed that NHA failed to look after this important asset of the country. PAC members pointed out that restaurants are overcharging passengers, repair work at motorway is substandard and other facilities are deteriorating and no care is being done.
PAC also asked the NHA authorities to present detailed report about how many vehicles of NHA are being used by the ministry officials, number of ghost employees, and details of its camp offices across the country. Secretary Communication and chairman NHA informed the PAC that due to the different contractual issues, the progress of completion of most of the motorway sections could not be completed.
It was also informed that a survey is being conducted along-with motorways to identify the encroachments and once this is completed strict action would be taken against illegal CNG and petrol stations and other construction. Meanwhile, the PAC commended the efforts of Karachi Port Trust management for its measures taken to safeguard the federal government's precious land at Karachi.