ISLAMABAD: State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Sheikh Aftab Ahmad on Friday spilled the beans on why the ruling party leadership was more focused on mega projects meant for infrastructural development.

“Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has a vision for the country’s development. All over the world, countries which have best network of roads are considered developed. Therefore, the government is also following same vision and we want to show the world our development through construction of best roads.”

The minister made this statement while responding to a calling attention notice moved by the PTI lawmakers. The minister said it was only the PML-N government which paid attention to this crucial area of road’s development.

Ghulam Sarwar Khan raised the question as to why the communication division was being run without a fully designated minister.

“On one side the government says it considers the communication division crucial for development, but for the past two-and-a-half years, it’s being managed without a full-fledged minister,” he asked.

The PTI lawmaker highlighted alleged irregularities and corruption of Rs137 billion committed in NHA projects like Larkana package, Sukkur-Jacobabad, and land acquisition for Karachi-Lahore Motorway.

In response, the minister said these irregularities had been highlighted in audit objections and the government will take action.

Published in Dawn, February 20th, 2016