Syed Ali Shah:Â
QUETTA: The Balochistan High Court (BHC) has directed authorities to expedite work on two major road infrastructure projects in the province: the Ziarat–Mor Kach–Harnai–Sanjavi Road and the Sibi-Harnai Road.
Highlighting the critical need for regional growth, the court stressed that timely coordination between the federal and provincial governments over funding arrangements is vital to avoid unnecessary delays.
​The directives were issued during the hearing of a constitutional petition by a division bench headed by Chief Justice Muhammad Kamran Khan Mullakhel and Justice Gul Hassan Tareen in Quetta on May 19.
​Procedural Progress on Ziarat–Mor Kach–Harnai–Sanjavi Road.
​According to reports submitted before the court by the National Highway Authority (NHA) and the provincial Planning and Development Department, major administrative milestones have been achieved:
​Design & Bidding: The detailed design and bidding documents for the Ziarat–Mor Kach–Harnai–Sanjavi Road have already been completed.
​Funding Allocation: Officials informed the court that the project is proposed to be funded under the federal Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), with Rs200 million allocated in the current cycle.
​Provincial Role: The Balochistan government’s role will mainly remain limited to facilitation and land acquisition.
​The Bottleneck: The NHA informed the bench that further field progress is currently awaiting a final decision from the provincial government regarding the exact cost-sharing formula.
​Delays Addressed on the Sibi-Harnai Road Project
​During the proceedings, officials also discussed the long-delayed Sibi-Harnai Road project.
​The NHA stated that the project’s PC-I has already been prepared and reviewed.
​Necessary revisions and third-party validations are currently underway to ensure structural integrity and fiscal transparency.
​Once completed, the road project is expected to vastly improve regional connectivity, benefiting trade, transit, and transportation across several districts of Balochistan.
​BHC Orders Against Bureaucratic Hurdles
​The Balochistan High Court observed that unnecessary delays in resolving financial and administrative matters severely hinder essential infrastructure and socio-economic development activities in the province.
​The division bench directed all relevant departments to complete outstanding procedural requirements without further delay. It emphasized establishing effective coordination channels to ensure the timely execution of both projects.
​The hearing has been adjourned until July 9, by which time the court expects comprehensive progress reports from the stakeholders.
