ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court sought a comprehensive report from the chairman National Highways Authority (NHA) regarding the condition of highways across country.
A two-judge bench, headed by the Chief Justice, on Wednesday, heard the suo moto on the condition of the highways.
The chairman has been ordered to appear before the Court in person.
The court noted that the accidents on highways and motorways take place due to the negligence of their officials.
The Chief Justice remarked that the highways condition is worsening day by day.
The bench inquired why the police not deputed on Quetta-Karachi Highways for the protection of the passengers.
The Chief Justice noted that due to the dilapidated condition, incidents are taking place on highways and passengers’ lives remain in danger.
The marking on the highways are washed out in rains as substandard paint is used.
He ordered to improve the Quetta-Karachi Highway.
He questioned why the Quetta-Karachi Highway is not constructed on the pattern of motorways.
The Chief Justice said except Lahore-Islamabad Motorway the condition of rest of the highways is worst.
He expressed dissatisfaction over the report about the condition of the highways.
The CJP said it seems that the NHA is unable to construct and maintain the highways.
Justice Gulzar said that the completion of Chitral-Gilgit road is only on papers, while factual position is altogether different.
An official of the NHA informed that the provincial government was working on the Chitral-Gilgit road, adding the construction of this road was given to the NHA one year ago.
Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel inquired about the income and expenses of the NHA.
He said passengers are being insulted in the name of checking.
The Chief Justice said there are no trees on both sides of the highways.
The Chief Justice observed that in Balochistan, the Frontier Constabulary (FC) stop the traffic and frisk the passengers.
He ordered the additional attorney general to submit a report on the conduct of the FC about checking the passengers on the highways.
The case was adjourned until first week of December.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2021
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