DLP Report
PESHAWAR
The Standing Committee on Communications and Works (C&W) of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Wednesday reviewed the implementation of previous directives and expressed concern over delays in several development projects, including rehabilitation of flood-affected infrastructure.
The meeting was held at the Provincial Assembly Secretariat, Peshawar, under the chairmanship of committee head Mushtaq Ahmed Ghani. It was attended by Provincial Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Aftab Alam, committee members including Muhammad Yameen Khan, Zubair Khan, Arifa Bibi, Asma Alam, Farah Khan and Shahida Waheed, along with the secretary and officials of the Communications and Works Department and Law Department.
The committee reviewed the implementation status of decisions taken in its previous meeting held on December 21, 2024.
During the meeting, Chairman Mushtaq Ahmed Ghani expressed concern over what he termed “slow progress” on a multi-billion-rupee development project involving the construction and rehabilitation of flood-damaged roads and bridges in South Waziristan, the merged districts and Upper Dir.
Briefing the committee, the C&W secretary said that three inquiries into the project had been completed so far, resulting in the demotion of some senior officials by two grades and a proposed recovery of Rs82 million from contractors.
He added that five contractors had obtained a stay order from the Peshawar High Court against the recovery action, which has remained in place since August 2023. He further stated that the department lacked adequate legal resources to pursue the matter effectively.
On this, the committee chairman directed that a summary be moved for the appointment of a senior legal adviser to strengthen the department’s case in the High Court and facilitate the removal of the stay order so that recovery and accountability proceedings could move forward.
Members of the committee also highlighted the deteriorating condition of roads and bridges in Upper Dir, noting that several flood-damaged structures had yet to be rebuilt or repaired despite the passage of years.
Taking notice, the chairman constituted a sub-committee to visit Upper Dir, inspect ongoing and completed projects, and submit a detailed report within 15 days.
The meeting also discussed the poor condition of key highways in Mardan District, particularly Bakhshali Road, Puliyodharai Road and Katlang Road, directing the concerned authorities to take immediate steps for their repair and rehabilitation.
