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Senate body seeks record of CAREC, Lodhran-Multan projects

By Asim Yasin
September 23, 2025
Senator Kamil Ali Agha, Sub-Committee Convener of the Senate Standing Committee on Communications, presides over the committee meeting at Parliament House, Islamabad, on September 22, 2025. — Facebook@Pakistansenate
Senator Kamil Ali Agha, Sub-Committee Convener of the Senate Standing Committee on Communications, presides over the committee meeting at Parliament House, Islamabad, on September 22, 2025. — Facebook@Pakistansenate

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Sub-committee on Communications on Monday noted lack of progress in follow-up on Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) and Lodhran-Multan projects and directed the departments concerned to submit a verified and comprehensive record.

In a follow-up meeting of the sub-committee, chaired by its convener Senator Kamil Ali Agha at the Parliament House, Agha reiterated the need for strict transparency and accountability in public sector projects.

He drew attention to the concerns earlier raised regarding the tranche-III of CAREC project and the clearance of NXCC in the Lodhran-Multan project through arbitration despite its poor performance record.

The committee members expressed dissatisfaction over the continued absence of the chairman National Highway Authority (NHA) and emphasised that repeated delays in implementing the sub-committee’s directions were unacceptable.

Senator Agha directed the departments concerned to submit a verified and comprehensive record, while Senator Saifullah Abro underlined the importance of formal communication with development partners to avoid misunderstandings or disruptions in development works.

The secretary, Ministry of Communications, explained that due to his ongoing engagement with flood-related responsibilities since July, he had been unable to give full attention to the matters under discussion.

Acknowledging the explanation, Senator Agha decided that the chairman NHA would be given another opportunity to present the department’s position before the sub-committee in its next meeting. Senior officials from the departments concerned also attended the meeting.