IHC appoints commission to inspect progress on Bhong Interchange project

ISLAMABAD, Jun 30 (APP): The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday appointed a commission to inspect construction work on the Bhong Interchange along the Multan-Sukkur Motorway and directed to submit a report on the project’s progress.

Justice Muhammad Asif issued the order while hearing a petition seeking implementation of a Supreme Court ruling regarding construction of the interchange.

The commission has been directed to visit the project site and report to the court on the extent of construction completed. The court also sought a detailed progress report from the National Highway Authority (NHA).

During the hearing, petitioner’s counsel Waqar Rana argued that only 100 million rupees had been allocated for the project in the current federal budget, alleging that authorities had delayed its completion for the past four years. He claimed that construction work was continuing but payments to the contractor were not being cleared and urged the court to direct the government to allocate sufficient funds.

Justice Asif questioned NHA officials over the pace of the project, asking why the work was not being completed.

Representing the NHA, counsel told the court that about 65 percent of the project had been completed and that no contractor payments were pending. He said the authority received Rs. 400 million for the project last year and had requested Rs. 1.1 billion for the current fiscal year. He added that the road portion had already been completed and construction was progressing.

The petitioner’s lawyer disputed the claim, maintaining that the project had remained stalled for four years. The NHA responded that construction began in October 2024 and was progressing according to schedule.

Officials from the Planning Division informed the court that their report had already been submitted and that the division was responsible for releasing funds, while execution of the project rested with the NHA.

After directing the NHA to submit a comprehensive report, the court adjourned further proceedings.