Consortium Raises Alarm Over Political Hurdles in N-55 Dualization Project

A consortium of contractors working on a key Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded infrastructure project has written to Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, alleging that certain senators are misusing their positions to obstruct the award of contracts for the N-55 Expansion Project (CAREC Tranche-III). In the letter, the consortium, Ningxia Communications Construction Co. Ltd – Rustam Associates – Dynamic Constructors Joint Venture (NXCC-RA-DC JV), warned that political interference could derail the dualization of the 326-kilometre Rajanpur–Dera Ghazi Khan–Dera Ismail Khan highway. The project is considered vital for regional connectivity and economic growth and is being implemented by the National Highway Authority (NHA). According to the consortium, it was declared the Lowest Evaluated Bidder for all four lots of the project through a transparent, ADB-approved procurement process. However, rival companies allegedly owned by sitting senators, Matracon (linked to Senator Abdul Qadir) and Zahir Khan & Brothers (linked to Senator Ahmed Khan), lost the bidding. The letter alleges that Senator Saif Ullah Abro has since been using his parliamentary platform to pressure officials into reopening the bidding process despite ADB’s approval and issuance of a mandatory No Objection Certificate (NOC). “Despite comprehensive official clarifications, Senator Abro continues to disregard established facts, using his privileged position not to seek truth but to apply undue pressure for the commercial benefit of his colleagues,” the letter alleges. The consortium further cautioned that such conduct undermines the sanctity of parliament, threatens the timely completion of a strategically important national project, and risks damaging Pakistan’s credibility with international financial partners. The contractors urged Chairman Gilani to intervene and prevent the Senate from being “used as a tool for vested commercial interests.” They stressed that the federal government has already made a sovereign commitment under its loan agreement with ADB to engage only contractors acceptable to the bank. The N-55 expansion project is part of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) initiative and is expected to significantly enhance trade and connectivity across the region once completed.