Constructing a single kilometer of road in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa costs approximately Rs. 70 million, provincial government officials informed the Senate Standing Committee on Economic Affairs during a meeting convened to review foreign-funded development projects.
The officials reported that the province has built 770 kilometers of roads at a total cost of Rs. 69 billion. However, Committee Chairman Senator Saifullah Abro pressed for an explanation when it emerged that an additional Rs. 43 billion had been folded into the overall expenditure. Officials clarified that the extra amount covered the construction of bridges linked to the road projects.
The committee also voiced sharp concerns over the awarding of construction contracts. Senator Abro questioned why only two or three firms had been awarded work despite the presence of several major construction companies operating in the province. Officials attributed the narrow field to a lack of participation from other firms in the bidding process, but the chairman — expressing unease over the transparency of competitive bidding — directed them to submit complete details of the tendering process.
ADB-funded road projects near completion
In a separate briefing, officials updated the committee on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Road Rehabilitation and Upgradation Project, which is backed by the Asian Development Bank. The initiative, signed in 2018, has so far rehabilitated and upgraded 249.5 kilometers of roads at a cost of $146.2 million and is on track for completion by October 2026. Among the roads already finished are the Kalam–Matiltan–Mahodand Road, Shah Alam–Sardar Yab Road, Risalpur–Jahangira Road, and Haripur–Hattar–Taxila Road.
Water and flood rehabilitation projects under scrutiny
The committee was further informed that water sector projects worth $387 million are being implemented with ADB support, while an additional $295 million in projects are being financed by the World Bank.
Officials said the ADB-funded Flood Emergency Rehabilitation Project — valued at Rs. 15 billion — is expected to wrap up by June 2027. Approximately Rs. 12.98 billion has already been spent, with work underway on 143 irrigation, drainage, and flood protection schemes, 79 of which have been completed.
However, committee members questioned the logic behind the selection of flood rehabilitation projects, arguing that reconstruction efforts did not always align with the areas hit hardest by flooding. Senator Rubina Khalid pointed out that Mardan received 16 road projects, while flood-ravaged Dir saw only 12 kilometers of roads built. Senator Hidayatullah echoed the concern, asking why nine roads were constructed in Peshawar — a city that was not significantly affected by the floods
