A Senate Subcommittee on Communications has initiated a scathing review of the National Highway Authority (NHA), recommending the blacklisting of a Chinese firm, NXCC, and its local partners. The subcommittee, chaired by Senator Kamil Ali Agha, alleges that the company’s bid for a major NHA contract was fraudulent and has called for immediate legal action. This aggressive stance follows a meeting where committee members expressed strong outrage over the NHA’s decision to award a contract to a company with a questionable history.
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The inquiry was prompted by concerns that the NHA had awarded a contract to a previously blacklisted entity. During the subcommittee session at Parliament House, the absence of the Federal Minister, Secretary, and Chairman of the NHA was met with sharp criticism from the lawmakers. Committee members saw their non-attendance as a sign of disrespect and an attempt to evade accountability.
Senator Saifullah Abro was particularly vocal, stating that the Chinese firm, NXCC, was “making a mockery of the government of Pakistan.” He didn’t mince words, directly implicating the Communications Secretary and the Chairman of the NHA in the scandal. Senator Abro also highlighted another controversial aspect of the deal: the reported tax exemptions granted to NXCC and its local partners, an issue the subcommittee has urged the NHA to address immediately.
Chairman Agha’s message was clear and uncompromising: “If the NHA’s hands are clean, then action must be taken against the company.” He stressed that it is the NHA’s core responsibility to ensure a transparent and thorough investigation into the matter. This aggressive push from the Senate subcommittee signals a zero-tolerance policy for corruption and a firm resolve to hold both foreign firms and government officials accountable for their actions. The recommended blacklisting and legal action against NXCC and its partners could set a significant precedent for future public-private partnerships in Pakistan.
