ISLAMABAD: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC), eliminating the audit observations on Lahore-Abdul Hakeem Motorway section, has commended the performance of National Highway Authority (NHA) officers for maintaining transparency and early completion of the project.
The meeting of PAC was held on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Syed Khurshid Shah in the committee room of National Assembly.
In the meeting, audit observations raised by the Audit Works DG were presented before the committee regarding the 230km Lahore-Abdul Hakeem section of eastern corridor of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is going to be inaugurated before time in May 2018.
NHA Chairman Jawwad Rafique Malik gave detailed replies to the audit observations and presented a complete record to the committee. The PAC eliminated the audit observations and declared the contract as per rules.
Jawwad further told the committee that in 2015-16, NHA made a saving of Rs122 billion in two contracts. He added that one contract was of the government of Pakistan while the other was related to a soft loan from China Exim Bank.
According to estimates, if these contracts had been awarded on available rates, there would not have been any objection to NHA. But the team of NHA worked devotedly and saved a huge amount through competition.
The NHA chairman further informed that the contract was awarded to the company on merit for zero corruption.
On the occasion, the committee members expressed confidence in NHA and appreciated its performance for completing the project before time and as per international standards.
It is important to mention here that Lahore-Abdul Hakeem section of motorway will be completed three months ahead of the scheduled time and will be opened to traffic.