Govt to reconstitute National Highway Council, executive board

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to reconstitute the National Highway Council and Executive Board.

The restructuring will be done under the new presidential amendment ordinance.

The chairman of the National Highway would be the Minister of Communications, or someone appointed by the federal government. There would be three ex-officio members of not less than 21 Grade from the Secretary Finance Division, Secretary Communications and Secretary Planning and Development, or their nominated officers.

One member would be appointed as the Chief Executive Officer, and six independent members would be appointed by the federal government. They would be competent and skilled persons, who would assist the National Highway Authority in achieving its objectives and goals.

The Council would have the powers to constitute a committee, and it would function in accordance with the State and Enterprises Act. The Council would approve a five-year plan for the construction of national highways, motorways and strategic roads in the country, in consultation with the stakeholders, on the recommendation of executive board.

The Council would approve the annual plan for maintenance of national highways, motorways and strategic roads on the recommendation of executive board. It would formulate guidelines and policies for the NHA. On the recommendation of executive board, it would approve annual quantitative and non-developmental budgets.

The executive board would be headed by the Chief Executive Officer. Other executive members would be an additional secretary or officers of equivalent rank of the Business Division, joint secretary (JS) or equivalent, IG National Highways and Motorways Police or their nominated officers, who would be joint secretary rank officers or equivalent, a representative of National Tourism Research Centre, equivalent to JS, vice-president Nespak or his representative, equivalent to JS, Member Admin NHA, Member Finance, Member Planning and Member Engineering or their nominees.

The CEO of the Executive Board would be the Chief Executive Officer of National Highway Authority. The CEO will run the administrative and financial affairs of the Authority. They would ensure implementation of the policies and strategies, envisaged by the Council.

The executive board would prepare proposals for projects in consultation with stakeholders, approve construction contracts and service contracts. It will recommend annual plan and development and non-development budget for highways and motorways. Recommended projects would be funded by toll or other grants.