ISLAMABAD: The federal government came under sharp criticism from its key ally, the Pakistan Peoples Party, over the federal takeover of the Rs465 billion Lahore-Bahawalnagar Motorway project. The issue was raised in the National Assembly amid concerns that the move violated fiscal agreements and undermined provincial autonomy.

PPP lawmakers Syed Naveed Qamar and Dr Sharmila Faruqui expressed alarm over the inclusion of the provincial project in the federal Public Sector Development Programme. They argued that such infrastructure projects should remain under provincial management and that diverting federal funds could affect other nationally strategic initiatives.

Syed Naveed Qamar questioned why a provincial motorway project was being federalised and highlighted that projects of this scale could be executed through public-private partnerships, citing Sindh as an example. He emphasised that funds should not be diverted from other sources and that provincial consent is essential before including such projects in the PSDP.

Dr Sharmila Faruqui warned that the National Highway Authority’s Rs2.5 trillion throw-forward could be affected and that federal funding without provincial approval breached fiscal protocols. She urged the government to ensure adherence to agreed-upon financial arrangements between the federation and provinces.

In response, State Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Chaudhry Armaghan Subhani assured the Assembly that no PSDP funds had been diverted to the Lahore-Bahawalnagar project. He highlighted that the government was prioritising the Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway and confirmed its fast-track development under the PML-N’s infrastructure agenda.

Other points raised in the Assembly included tackling illegal call centres involved in fraud and strengthening the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency, which is currently understaffed. Former Speaker Asad Qaisar was also assured that his bill on the right of appeal against military court verdicts would be placed on the agenda on the next private members’ day.