ISLAMABAD: The government is set to invite fresh bids for the construction of the Rs4.4 billion Mandra-Chakwal highway.

It is learnt that the National Logistic Cell, the Frontier Works Organisation and Habib Construction have been short-listed for the award of the contract.

The bids submitted by the three firms are likely to be opened next week and an official of the Pakistan Public Works Department said: “The NLC is expected to win the contract.”

Work on stalled road projects to begin soon

Former prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf had initiated the 64km road project in his constituency, but it was struck down by the Islamabad High Court in 2012.

Mr Ashraf was accused of violating rules in awarding the contract to the NLC.

But the Pak-PWD official said there was nothing wrong in the earlier contract because the NLC’s bid was lowest in terms of construction rates.

A few months ago, MNAs Tahir Iqbal and Raja Javed Akhlas had moved the court saying that precious lives were being lost in accidents because of the pathetic condition of the road.

The court vacated the stay and directed the government to invite tenders afresh.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd , 2014