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Senate body for release of funds for NHA projects in KP
ISLAMABAD: The Senate Sub-Committee of the Standing Committee on Communications on Saturday directed the Ministry of Finance and Planning Commission to release sufficient funds for ongoing National Highway Authority (NHA) projects in Khyber Pukhtoonkhaw as many road projects were being delayed due to scarcity of funds.The sub-committee which met under the convenorship of Senator Zahid Khan here issued show-cause notices to Principle Secretaries to President and Prime Minister on their failure to attend the sub-committee meeting. However the sub-committee which had also decided to issue show-cause notice to Secretary Planning Commission Sohail Ahmed, decided not to do so on the recommendation of Ismail Buledi.
Senator Zahid Khan said that during past few months 3.7 billion have been allocated for road projects being built under Multan package but meager funds were released for Lowari Tunnel, Peshawar Northern By-pass and Hassanabdal-Mansehra Highway project.
He also said that in his area Timargarra-Chakdara road was in dilapidated condition and the people of the area were very unhappy over apathy of the NHA.
Minister for Communications Arbab Alamgir asked the committee to give some time so that he could visit Finance Ministry for allocation of Rs 2 billion for NHA projects in KhyberPukhtoonkhaw. The officials of Finance and Planning Division promised to release sufficient funds for road projects in next week.
On this assurance convener of the sub-committee Zahid Khan postponed the meeting till Friday next with the direction that funds should be released positively for the Khyber Pukhtoonkhaw projects.
The meeting was attended by Senator Ismail Buledi, Secretay Planning Commission Sohial Ahmed, Acting Chairman NHA Muhammad Junaid and senior officials of Ministry of Communications, Finance and Planning Commission.
Courtesy www.geo.tv