QUETTA, Nov 10: Officials of the National Highway Authority said at a meeting here on Monday that lack of funds, interference by influential people and non-cooperation of some departments were responsible for the delay in completion of various national highway projects in Balochistan.

The meeting presided over by Balochistan Assembly Speaker Mohammad Aslam Bhootani was briefed by officials on the under-construction NHA projects in the province.

The speaker had summoned the three general mangers and other officials of the NHA after ministers and some members of the provincial assembly severely criticised NHA’s performance on the floor of the house.

The officials said that in many areas influential people were making different demands and not allowing construction of roads. They also complained about what they termed non-cooperative attitude of some officials of the provincial revenue department. Despite full payment made by the NHA, the department had not given possession of the required land, they added.

They also said that Wapda, Public Heath Engineering, PTCL and Sui Southern Gas Company had not removed their installations from the areas although NHA had made full payment for the purpose.

They said the federal government had not provided funds allocated for the Surab-Panjgur-Hoshab national highway and the contractor had stopped work on the project due to non-payment of dues.