Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court has given the Planning Division a final opportunity to release funds for the construction of the Bhong Interchange on the Multan-Sukkur Motorway and warned that the Planning Division Secretary could be summoned and charges framed if the funds are not released.

The court will hear the case again on September 8. Justice Muhammad Asif is hearing the matter.

During the previous hearing, the court had expressed displeasure over the non-release of funds for the project and directed the concerned officials to convey to the secretary that this was the final deadline for releasing the required funds.

The petitioner, Rais Munir, and his counsel Waqar Rana will appear before the court at the next hearing.

During the proceedings, lawyer Waqar Rana said the matter concerned implementation under Article 187 and that the National Highway Authority (NHA), Planning Division and Finance Division had earlier committed to completing the project within one year.

He said the project should have been completed around two and a half years ago, but funding had not been released by the Finance and Planning authorities. He informed the court that approximately 50 percent of the project had been completed.

The NHA's counsel said the project was part of the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) and that the authority was responsible for its implementation. He said NHA had demanded Rs900 million for the project for the next financial year but had not yet received the funds.

Counsel for the petitioner requested the court to constitute a commission to inspect the project site, stating that the incomplete interchange was being used illegally and could pose a serious risk to the lives of commuters. He said traffic police had also raised concerns regarding the safety risks.

The lawyer further argued that the Planning Secretary and Finance Division were committing contempt of court by failing to implement the directions concerning the project.

The court observed that only one year had originally been given for completion of the project, whereas three years had already passed.

The law officer requested the court not to summon the secretary at this stage and assured the bench that instructions would be sought.

Justice Muhammad Asif directed the law officer to inform the secretary that the court was granting a final opportunity for release of the funds, warning that failure to comply could result in charges being framed.

The court subsequently granted the Planning Secretary a final deadline for releasing funds and adjourned further hearing of the case until September 8.