ISLAMABAD:
A consortium led by a state-owned Chinese firm has approached Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani to stop a senator from obstructing an Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded highway expansion project — N-55 CAREC Tranche-III.
In a letter sent on August 26, 2025, the NXCC-RA-DC Joint Venture has said that a senator is attempting to derail the award of contracts for the dualization of 326 kilometers of the N-55 highway between Rajanpur, DG Khan, and DI Khan.
The NXCC-RA-DC Joint Venture comprises Ningxia Communications Construction Co Ltd, Rustam Associates, and Dynamic Constructors. The project, executed by the National Highway Authority (NHA), is seen as vital for regional connectivity and economic development.
According to a letter a copy of which has been seen by The Express Tribune, the joint venture claimed that it was lawfully declared the lowest evaluated bidder with a margin of Rs13.2 billion for all four construction lots after a transparent and ADB-approved process.
The consortium urged Chairman Gilani to protect the sanctity of the Senate from being used as a tool for “vested commercial interests” and to ensure the project moves forward without further obstruction.
In the letter, the Chinese firm said the losing bidders had reportedly engaged the senator to pressure government officials into reopening the concluded bidding process.
The senator was compelling officials to revisit the procurement despite the ADB’s No Objection Certificate (NOC) and the Federal Government’s sovereign commitment under its loan agreement with ADB to only engage a contractor acceptable to the lender.
“This misuse of parliamentary privilege and public office jeopardizes a nationally significant project, unfairly maligns dedicated public servants, and risks Pakistan’s reputation with international financial partners,” Chinese firm said.
The Rs146b N-55 CAREC project forms part of Pakistan’s commitments under the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) programme, co-financed by the ADB.
Any delays, observers warn, could impact Pakistan’s credibility with international lenders and slow progress on critical infrastructure aimed at boosting trade and connectivity.
Earlier this year, Mishal Pakistan, a partner institute of the World Economic Forum, also raised concerns over conflict of interest in parliamentary proceedings.
