ISLAMABAD, Feb 26 (APP):The National Highway Authority (NHA) is currently administering 48 national highways, motorways and strategic roads spanning 14,480 kilometers across 118 districts of the country, reflecting the government’s strong commitment to enhancing connectivity and infrastructure development.
According to official sources, the NHA network extends through 118 out of 160 districts nationwide, playing a pivotal role in economic growth and regional integration.
The official shared province-wise details of the network, stating that in Punjab, out of 36 districts, 30 are traversed by NHA roads covering 4,080 kilometers. In Sindh, 26 districts out of 35 are connected with a total length of 2,566 kilometers. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 25 districts are covered with 2,392 kilometers of roads.
In Balochistan, the network spans 4, 443 kilometers across 27 districts, while in Gilgit-Baltistan it covers 854 kilometers.
In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, three districts are connected under the NHA framework, and in Islamabad Capital Territory, 54 kilometers of roads fall under NHA’s jurisdiction.
Th official further informed that currently 71 projects are included in the NHA’s Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) portfolio, funded through the Government of Pakistan, foreign loans and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements, with a cumulative value of Rs3.4 trillion. So far, an expenditure of Rs681.37 billion has been incurred on these projects.
Highlighting quality assurance mechanisms, he said the NHA ensures strict compliance with prescribed standards and specifications by appointing independent supervisory consultants. Dedicated Monitoring and Inspection (M&I) teams conduct oversight at various stages of construction.
Before issuance of the Defect Liability Certificate, the M&I teams thoroughly evaluate the quality of work, and only upon satisfactory performance is the contractor relieved of contractual obligations, he added.
He emphasized that under FIDIC provisions, “The Engineer” plays a vital role in impartial contract administration, quality control and timely completion of projects, while also facilitating dispute resolution.
He underscored that timely alignment of financial flows with project schedules remains critical, noting that delays in fund releases often impede completion of projects within stipulated timelines.