Senate refers Rs5 billion NHA payment issue to FIA...

Summary

• The committee reviewed the progress of the 765kV Dasu Islamabad transmission line and the Communications Sector CAREC Tranche III project.
• During its review of the 765kV transmission line, the committee examined the type testing system being used for the project and the implementation of recommendations made during its meetings on August 24, September 4 and September 14, 2026.
• The committee also examined pending payments for the 765kV Dasu Islamabad transmission line project covering Lots I to IV.

AI Generated Summary

Islamabad:  The Senate Standing Committee on Economic Affairs decided to refer serious questions regarding the 765kV Dasu Islamabad transmission line testing process to the Federal Investigation Agency and National Accountability Bureau. It also sought an investigation into the National Highway Authority’s release of about Rs5 billion in excess mobilisation advance for the CAREC Tranche III Rajanpur, DG Khan, DI Khan project.

The committee met at Parliament House on October 2, 2026 under the chairmanship of Senator Saifullah Abro. Senator Hidayat Ullah Khan, Senator Rubina Khalid, Senator Kamil Ali Agha and Senator Kamran Murtaza attended the meeting. The committee reviewed the progress of the 765kV Dasu Islamabad transmission line and the Communications Sector CAREC Tranche III project.

During its review of the 765kV transmission line, the committee examined the type testing system being used for the project and the implementation of recommendations made during its meetings on August 24, September 4 and September 14, 2026. The committee also sought details of action taken against contractors and consultants and questioned the slow progress of the project.

The committee was told that 88 towers required Forest NoC. Payments had been made for eight towers and work had started on those towers. For the remaining 80 towers, Forest and NHA NoCs were still required. The committee was informed that 10 towers under Lot I had been completed, while four towers under Lot II had been completed and 12 towers had been erected. Chairman Saifullah Abro ordered that demand notices for the remaining 80 towers be provided and sought details about their NoCs and the steps being taken to remove delays.

A major concern arose over the testing policy for the transmission line. The committee was told that the 2019 policy contained 40 STL laboratories, while eight more laboratories were shown as having been added in the 2023 policy. However, the committee found that only three of those eight were actually new; five were already included in the earlier list of 40 laboratories.