2 weeks Ago By Our Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD - The national road network has been left to deteriorate with maintenance works suspended since early March, as a committee led by the federal secretary for communications failed to meet its deadline to propose reforms, raising concerns over growing administrative paralysis. All new maintenance work has remained suspended since 3 March 2025 after Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan directed a freeze on the budget, insisting on personal oversight of all expenditures. According to official briefing minutes, the suspension will continue until a transparent mechanism is devised.
Aleem Khan also raised concerns over budgetary discrepancies and the discretionary powers of the Member Engineering Coordination in the Annual Maintenance Plan (AMP). Consequently, the NHA suspended all ongoing and planned maintenance work. Previously, AMP was approved by the NHA Executive Board but now falls under the reformed National Highway Council, chaired by a private member to reduce political interference under IMF guidelines and the State-Owned Enterprises Act.
KP cabinet takes decisions on several vital matters Despite legitimate concerns, officials and experts argue that halting all maintenance is irrational. They urge the ministry to devise a transparent system without risking infrastructure deterioration. NHA spokesperson Mazhar Hussain could not be reached for comment.
Tags: roads network limbo.
