ISLAMABAD: The Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has constituted a high-powered fact-finding committee to investigate alleged irregularities and malpractices in the affairs of the National Highway Authority (NHA), particularly in the award of major contracts related to the Lyari Expressway Rehabilitation Project and toll collection across several national highways.
The formation of inquiry committee is being considered as a follow up of the recent removal of Chairman NHA Sheryar Sultan, Member Administration NHA Omer Saeed Chaudhry and a senior staff member of the Chairman Secretariat.
According to an official document issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the committee will be convened by former federal secretary Mian Mushtaq Ahmed and will include Brig (R) Muzaffar Ali Ranjha, Chairman of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), Secretary Commerce Jawad Paul, Secretary Cabinet Division Kamran Ali Afzal, and a representative from the Intelligence Bureau.
The committee has been tasked with conducting a detailed inquiry into the propriety, justification, and legality of contract awards made without open competition.
Specifically, it will examine the rehabilitation contract of the Lyari Expressway that was allegedly granted without a competitive bidding process. The inquiry will identify officials involved in the decision-making chain and determine whether the process adhered to established public procurement rules.
The committee will also review the pricing and award of electrical works under the same project and assess the integrity and motivation behind awarding contracts for toll collection and revenue operations at various toll plazas and weigh stations — including those located at Pattoki, Lyari Expressway, Phool Nagar, Ghazi Ghat, Qutabpur, Rajanpur, DI Khan-1, and Kohat Tunnel.
The fact-finding body has been directed to complete its inquiry within three weeks and submit its findings to the Prime Minister for further orders. The Cabinet Division will provide secretarial support and coordination for the inquiry, while the Communications Division and NHA have been instructed to extend full cooperation.
The formation of the committee follows growing concerns within the government over alleged procedural violations and possible misuse of authority in NHA’s recent project awards. Sources said the Prime Minister took notice of reports suggesting that several high-value contracts were granted without open auction, raising transparency and accountability questions.
The inquiry’s outcome is expected to have significant implications for the NHA’s internal governance and oversight mechanisms, as the government continues its broader drive to ensure merit and transparency in public sector contracting.
