Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has received the official inquiry report on alleged irregularities in the Rs. 170 billion ADB Road Project under the CAREC Tranche-III program. According to officials, a final decision on the findings is expected in the coming days.
The ADB Road Project has drawn attention due to concerns about ghost tendering and violations of public procurement rules. The project, part of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) initiative, is designed to strengthen regional connectivity and transport links. However, serious questions have been raised about transparency in its implementation.
The matter has already been reviewed by five standing committees of both the National Assembly and Senate, along with the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA). The inquiry committee was asked to assess whether proper due diligence was followed and if any delays or blacklisting practices were mishandled. It also examined how grievances were addressed throughout the process.
In August, eight senior officials of the National Highway Authority (NHA) were suspended as the investigation began. Despite these actions, senators have expressed concern over delays in document submissions by NHA, suggesting that incomplete records may hinder the inquiry committee’s ability to reach a fair conclusion.
Earlier, the Senate’s Economic Affairs Committee had recommended blacklisting a joint venture of three construction companies after finding the bidding process technically invalid and allegedly manipulated.
The ADB Road Project, backed by the Asian Development Bank, covers four major road segments from Rajanpur to Dera Ismail Khan. These sections remain under scrutiny as the government considers its next steps based on the committee’s findings.
Authorities have stated that the outcome of the inquiry will determine whether new tenders will be issued or existing contracts reviewed. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring accountability and transparency in all future ADB-financed infrastructure projects.
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