The Senate Standing Committee on Economic Affairs Division met at the Parliament House on Friday under the chairmanship of Senator Saifullah Abro to address critical concerns over dualisation of N-55 project. It gave the National Highway Authority (NHA) a stringent deadline of two weeks to furnish additional information crucial for finalising proceedings pertaining to the multibillion-rupee project.
Senator Abro expressed serious reservations about the potential of awarding the contract for dualisation of Rajanpur-Dera Ismail Khan road under the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (Carec) programme to a company that had previously faced issues related to its performance.
He highlighted concerns over the termination of Multan-Lodhran Motorway section contract and the subsequent arbitration rulings, questioning the impartiality of arbitrator Zafar Siddiqui.
In response to those allegations, NHA Member Aided Projects Ashfaq Khan defended the credibility of Siddiqui, citing his extensive arbitration experience and clarifying that any payments made were not related to the current project, which was under scrutiny.
Committee chairman insisted on conducting a detailed financial audit to verify the legitimacy of bidding process and financial claims made by the local partners. Azeem Ullah, a financial expert associated with the NHA, explained the standard practice regarding joint ventures and reiterated the legality of claims made by partners for the released amount. Despite such clarifications, Abro sought a thorough trail of financial turnovers.
Meanwhile, the NHA chairman intervened to underscore the adherence to legal procedures in appointing arbitrators and conducting evaluations, emphasising the transparency of the process. A spokesperson for the lowest-bid joint venture, led by a Chinese firm, called the process “unjustified”. He complained about consistently targeting their company without merit and creating unwarranted controversy.
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