Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a high-level meeting in Islamabad on Wednesday to assess the performance of the National Highway Authority (NHA), with particular focus on the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (Carec) Tranche-III project. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has cautioned that a $360 million loan could lapse next year if delays persist.

The meeting followed directives from the Senate Standing Committee on Communications, which ordered the NHA to begin work on the project within 15 days to safeguard foreign funding. According to a document from the Prime Minister’s Office, the session included Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan, Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal, senior federal secretaries, NHA Chairman retired Capt Asad Ullah Khan, and officials from the audit department, Public Procurement Regulatory Authority, and PMO.

An NHA source said officials would brief the prime minister that all deficiencies highlighted by parliamentary committees have been resolved. The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council has cleared the execution process, while the Islamabad High Court has instructed the authority to award the contract without further delay.

Officials cautioned that restarting the tendering process, including bidding and approvals, could take more than a year and potentially double costs due to escalation. Lawmakers have stressed the urgency of removing discrepancies to prevent the loss of the $360 million loan earmarked for the Carec project.

The meeting reflects the government’s push to accelerate infrastructure development and ensure timely use of international loans at a time when Pakistan faces mounting economic and development challenges.