A tense confrontation over stalled infrastructure projects in Balochistan erupted during a parliamentary committee session on Thursday, as provincial lawmakers alleged years of neglect while the Ministry of Communications countered with data showing the province receives a majority of national road development funds, subsidized by other regions.
The 15th gathering of the Standing Committee on Communications, chaired by MNA Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani, became a forum for sharp disagreement when MNA Jamal Shah Kakar asserted that critical maintenance work in Balochistan had been suspended for two years and tendered projects had not even begun. He specifically cited the Quetta-Zhob, Quetta-Loralai, and Quetta-Sibi road projects as examples of the delays.
In its briefing, the Ministry of Communications presented a starkly different picture, informing the panel that while Balochistan contributes a nominal share of toll revenue, it is the beneficiary of 56 percent of the total Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) allocation. Officials detailed that of the Rs. 226.98 billion PSDP for 2025-26, a substantial Rs. 128.8 billion is designated for the province. The ministry also claimed that development there is subsidized by revenue from Punjab and Sindh and that toll plazas in Balochistan had been subjected to attacks.
Committee members vehemently rejected these assertions, attributing the lower toll collection to Balochistan’s smaller population and demanding the ministry provide verified details of any alleged attacks. They underscored that the province, which constitutes 43 percent of Pakistan’s landmass and has historically supplied natural resources nationwide, requires significant infrastructure investment.
To resolve the impasse, the committee directed the National Highway Authority (NHA) to prioritize the completion of all ongoing projects before initiating new ones. It also recommended arranging a dedicated meeting between Balochistan’s representatives and the NHA to address the outstanding issues.
The session also turned its attention to matters in Sindh. The Secretary of the Works and Services Department confirmed the province had paid its financial share for projects, with payments for land acquisition currently in progress. The committee requested a detailed report on the Sukkur-Hyderabad Road (M6), including updates on corruption investigations related to land acquisition.
Concerns regarding administrative stability were also voiced, particularly the frequent transfers of the NHA Sindh Member. The panel recommended a permanent appointment to ensure continuity on joint ventures like the longdelayed Indus Highway. It also urged the urgent construction of bridges along the Indus Highway to prevent accidents.
On the subject of toll collection, the Parliamentary Secretary for Communications assured that local residents would receive exemptions on the Karachi-Hyderabad Road, leading the committee to close the issue. However, the panel expressed dissatisfaction with the ministry’s handling of the Toll Plaza Rationalization and Equity Bill, 2025, criticizing a lack of stakeholder consultation and directing officials to submit a detailed report within 15 days.
The proceedings were attended by committee members Shamsher Ali Mazari, Haji Jamal Shah Kakar, Nazir Ahmed Bhugio, Mir Shabbir Ali Bijarani, Ramesh Lal, Syed Hafeezuddin, Muhammad Usman Badini (via video link), and Hameed Hussain, along with parliamentary secretaries and senior ministry officials.