Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Senator Ahad Khan Cheema directed the National Highway Authority (NHA) to prioritise projects that are financially viable. During a meeting to review the NHA's financial status and a business plan, Cheema also ordered the agency to develop a practical commercial strategy.
The minister instructed the NHA to incorporate realistic commercial indicators into project planning documents, specifically the PC-Is. Projects must be categorised based on their funding requirements and financial viability, according to the minister.
Cheema stressed that obtaining external or commercial financing should not result in a reduction of the NHA's allocation under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP). The Finance Division’s Central Monitoring Unit (CMU) should receive project feasibility assessments early, as requested by the minister.
The NHA was urged to accelerate coordination with an Asian Development Bank (ADB) consultant regarding financial modelling, project mapping, and feasibility studies. Pakistan Railways has suspended officer leaves for a period of three months.
Authorities in Lahore will register FIRs for one of the most frequent traffic violations. Household items valued at Rs. 270,000 were stolen from the residence of a former prime minister.
