ISLAMABAD, Aug 08 (APP): National Highway Authority ( NHA) on Wednesday contradicted a baseless and unjustified allegation on various social media handles, stating, that the authority had incurred expenditure amounting to Rs. 650 million on the temporary diversion of Pinjra Bridge on National Highway N-65, Balochistan.

In a statement, the NHA said that this absolutely baseless allegation was tarnishing the image of the department.

During monsoon 2022, Balochistan received unprecedented 450 per cent rainfall higher than the national 30-year average, resulting into hill torrents, flash floods and inundations in several districts in North-East Balochistan, especially in Hub-Uthal-Bela Section of National Highway N-25, Khuzdar-Shahdadkot Section of M-8 and Quetta-Sibi-Dera Allah Yar Section of National Highway N-65. These damages include the collapse of Pinjra Bridge N-65, Hub Bridge, Lunda Bridge N-25 and Mando Bridge M-8.

Moreover, approaches and embankments of Kanta Bridge, Bagar Nala Bridge, Sardi Wala Bridge, Baleli Bridge and a number of Culverts on N-25 were also damaged.

The National Highway Authority immediately mobilized resources and required machinery for the temporary restoration of the road network and traffic was restored on all highways by providing detours and backfilling on damaged portions through RMA (Road Maintenance Account) Funds.

It is pertinent to mention that National Highway Authority has incurred only an amount of Rs. 27.33 million from August 2022 till date on emergency works i.e. temporary diversion of Pinjra Bridge on N-65.

In addition, the procurement process of the re-construction of Pinjra Bridge has been initiated, pre-qualification documents have been received in May and construction work will commence in October, 2023.

National Highway Authority has strongly refuted this fabricated allegation and requested that such unjustified allegations may not be considered correct.

ISLAMABAD, Aug 8 (APP): Military awards were conferred on naval personnel here at the Pakistan Navy Investiture Ceremony 2023 on Tuesday.

Chief of Staff (COS) Vice Admiral Naveed Ashraf was the chief guest at the ceremony, a Pakistan Navy news release said.

Commodore Syed Naved Ahsan and Commodore Amir Hanif received Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military), while Captain Dr Amjad Nawaz, Commander Rizwan Ahmad, Lieutenant Commander Muhammad Imran, Lieutenant Commander Faisal Ayub and Lieutenant Commander Syed Muhammad Hasan Rizvi were the recipients of Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (Military).

Two awards of TK(M)-II and nine awards of TK(M)-Ill were also conferred upon CPOs and sailors of Pakistan Navy whereas letters of commendation from the Chief of the Naval Staff were awarded to 17 officers, CPOs/ sailors and Navy civilians.

The ceremony was attended by officers of the Pakistan Navy.