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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to make a crucial decision on the Rs. 170 billion CAREC Tranche-III road project, following the submission of an inquiry report detailing alleged irregularities and ghost tendering in the scheme. The Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) project, funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), aims to strengthen Pakistan’s regional road connectivity but has recently come under scrutiny over transparency and compliance concerns.
The controversy began months earlier when reports surfaced of violations in the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules and manipulated bidding procedures. Five standing committees of Parliament and the PPRA have reviewed the matter, while eight senior NHA officials were suspended in August pending investigation.
According to official sources, the Prime Minister is expected to decide within days, after evaluating the committee’s findings on issues such as delayed contracts, lack of due diligence, and blacklisting practices. The Senate’s Economic Affairs Committee had earlier recommended blacklisting a joint venture of three firms found responsible for a technically invalid bidding process.
A senior government official told,
“The Prime Minister’s decision will set a precedent for future infrastructure projects and public procurement transparency.”
The CAREC Tranche-III project covers four key road segments from Rajanpur to Dera Ismail Khan, an important trade route linking southern Punjab with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Once completed, it is expected to enhance regional trade and boost economic integration with Central Asia. However, final progress now depends on the outcome of this high-level review.
The government’s verdict on the inquiry will determine whether the project proceeds under its current framework or faces restructuring to restore donor and public confidence.
