Islamabad: The Senate Functional Committee on Problems of Less Developed Areas, chaired by Senator Agha Shazaib Durrani, met at the Parliament House to review the implementation of ongoing infrastructure projects and departmental accountability. Senators Nadeem Ahmed Bhutto, Muhammad Aslam Abro, and Danesh Kumar attended the meeting.

The Committee expressed strong displeasure over the absence of the NTDC Chairman, terming it a 'sign of indifference towards the problems of less developed regions.' Chairman Durrani directed that the NTDC Chairman must attend the next meeting without fail.

While reviewing the North Access Road (NAR) project, the Committee was informed that progress on the 7.3 km section had been stalled due to a court stay order. However, under RMA funds, a fresh contract was awarded on August 5, 2025, with 85% work completed and finalization expected by end of October 2025.

Discussing development in Chitral, NHA briefed that contracts for Ayun, Bamboret, and Reshun roads had been awarded but land acquisition issues persisted. Senator Falak Naz offered assistance, and Chairman Durrani directed that she be included in all future consultations with provincial authorities to expedite administrative resolutions.

The Committee also examined the proposal for direct motorway access to Peshawar Airport, questioning, 'Why not construct a flyover from M-1?' NHA responded that while a flyover was costly, an additional lane and dedicated loop at the M-1/M-2 interchange were being designed to facilitate access. Chairman Durrani emphasized, 'This must be prioritized.'

Reviewing progress on the N-55 project, the Committee noted delays despite a Fact-Finding Inquiry Committee report submitted in April 2025. While charge sheets were issued to BS-20 officers and inquiries initiated for others, no suspensions had been made. Chairman Durrani demanded complete service records and remarked, 'Officials under inquiry cannot continue working unchecked.'

NHA reported 75% completion of the N-55 project, with a target date of December 31, 2025. The Chairman, however, warned that 'presenting unverified figures before Senate forums is unacceptable.'

Taking up the Petaro-Sehwan (N-55) Additional Carriageway, the Committee noted 92% physical progress but condemned the 240-day delay in submitting the As-Built Survey Report. Chairman Durrani questioned, 'Why hasn't the report been submitted when the Committee gave a 30-day deadline?' A site visit was ordered within 15 days to verify compliance with earlier recommendations.

Addressing the impact of climate change and floods, members urged the adoption of resilient materials and designs for future infrastructure projects.

Highlighting fiscal discipline, Chairman Durrani cautioned that annual development schemes worth Rs. 120 billion were being proposed without ensuring completion of existing ones. He asserted, 'No new projects should be lined up until ongoing schemes are completed.'