The Federal Minister for Communications today declared he will not permit routine maintenance projects, citing them as frequent channels for corruption, and ordered officials at all levels to eradicate such practices to safeguard the national treasury.

The directive was issued during a high-level meeting at the Ministry of Communications where the minister also instructed the National Highway Authority (NHA) to proceed with establishing new toll plazas across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The minister underscored that enhanced revenue collection is vital for the sustainability of development projects and maintenance operations. He stipulated that all income generated from the new tolls within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be reinvested directly into the province”s road network. This measure is intended to ensure the region, a major hub for tourism, directly benefits from the funds collected from traffic originating across Pakistan.

To facilitate this initiative, the Secretary of Communications was tasked with formally engaging the provincial administration, specifically the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, to take them into confidence regarding the installation of the new tolling facilities on highways and motorways.

In a move to tighten financial oversight, the minister mandated a new verification protocol for projects with outstanding financial liabilities. He instructed that the Secretary of Communications must personally visit and physically inspect any project where pending liabilities exceed ten million rupees (one crore) before any approval for payment is granted.

Addressing recent reports of property damage, the minister announced a zero-tolerance policy towards vandalism at toll plazas. He ordered NHA officials to take immediate and stringent legal action against offenders, including the registration of First Information Reports (FIRs), to prevent future incidents of damage to government property.

Elaborating on his anti-corruption stance, the minister stated it was insufficient for a single official to be honest while their subordinates engage in corrupt activities, emphasizing a collective responsibility to curb financial misconduct.

The meeting, which included a briefing on periodic works and pending liabilities, was attended by Secretary Communications Mr. Ali Sher Mehsud and other senior officials of the ministry.