ISLAMABAD: Taking notice of an inordinate delay in the launch of much-awaited multibillion-rupee 306km Sukkur-Hyderabad motor-way project, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday reprimanded senior officials of the National Highway Authority and directed them to launch the project on a war footing.

       Presiding over a meeting held to review progress on road projects, the PM also instructed to initiate construction of Thakot-Raikot section of Karakorum Highway, Babusar Tunnel and Khuzdar-Kuchlak road.

       Calling for ensuring transparency in awarding the contract, he formed a nine-member committee comprising the communications minister, the managing director of Public Procurement Regula-tory Authority and chairman of the Pakistan Engineering Council.

       Later, the Sukkur-Hyd-erabad motorway turned out to be a flagship project of the PTI government, but its contract became controversial because of the way it was awarded last year.

       Regarding the 250km Thakot-Raikot section of Karakorum Highway, the prime minister was apprised that the project’s feasibility study would be completed within seven months.

       Published in Dawn,June 17th, 2022