The Public Accounts Committee has raised serious concerns over large scale financial irregularities involving the National Highway Authority, revealing losses running into tens of billions of rupees. During a review of audit objections for the financial year 2023 to 24, the committee highlighted weak enforcement, poor recovery mechanisms and a lack of accountability within the national highways system.

Chaired by Moeen Amir Pirzada, the PAC meeting examined audit observations related to the Ministry of Communications. Officials disclosed that Rs26.4 billion in toll tax dues remained unpaid by contractors and partner organisations, causing a direct hit to the national exchequer. The committee described the situation as alarming and demanded immediate corrective action.

NHA audit officials told the committee that the unpaid toll revenue was linked to operations involving the National Logistics Cell, the Frontier Works Organisation and private contractors. The NHA secretary stated that the issue had been taken up with the concerned entities and that adjustments were being made against Public Sector Development Programme allocations, a response that failed to fully satisfy committee members.

PAC member Bilal Mandokhail questioned the absence of representatives from NLC and FWO and asked where responsibility would be fixed. He stressed that accountability could not be ensured if key stakeholders repeatedly avoided parliamentary scrutiny. Other members echoed concerns over procedural weaknesses and enforcement gaps.

Hina Rabbani Khar described the issue as a reflection of weak governance, noting that companies failing to honour contracts were still being awarded new projects. Shahida Begum raised concerns over repeated increases in toll tax rates despite persistent revenue leakages. NHA officials confirmed that dozens of legal cases were pending, filed by private contractors challenging recovery efforts.

The committee directed private contractors to clear outstanding dues within 60 days, while government owned entities were given time until June. The chairman warned of legal action in case of non compliance. The PAC also revealed an additional Rs16 billion loss caused by failure to recover penalties from overloaded trucks, underscoring systemic weaknesses hurting public finances.