A Senate committee meeting turned heated after National Highway Authority (NHA) officials briefed lawmakers on the construction of a 16-kilometre motorway from Lahore to Raiwind, drawing sharp criticism from senators over perceived development bias.
During the Senate Standing Committee on Planning meeting, NHA officials informed members that the provincial government would fund the motorway, while the NHA is currently surveying the land. This led Senator Quratulain Marri to question, “Are you building a motorway just for one house?” — a veiled reference to former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s residence in Raiwind.
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Marri opposed further motorway projects in Punjab, saying other provinces like Sindh and Balochistan deserve priority. “Why not a motorway in Karachi, where there’s a port?” she asked.
Senator Manzoor Kakar echoed the frustration, pointing out that Punjab has seven motorways while Balochistan has none. “Out of 14 motorways, can’t Balochistan get even one? Do people not live there?” he said, expressing anger over the lack of infrastructure despite the province’s flood damage last year.
Kakar also criticized delays in the Sukkur-Hyderabad motorway and demanded accountability for neglected projects.
The committee concluded by calling for a full briefing on Balochistan’s road network and recommended pausing Punjab’s new motorway projects until other provinces are accommodated.
