ISLAMABAD: The NHA, FWO and commissioner Karachi, are directed by the Standing Committee on Communications to remove encroachments on service road of Lyari Expressway.

The committee expressed its serious concern over the fact that the government had already paid compensation to the land owners of the service road of Lyari Expressway but the land grabbers have again encroached the land of the service road.

The committee directed that comprehensive report should be submitted in next meeting. It was informed to the Standing Committee on Communications that there is serious traffic jam on M-1 toll plaza at Islamabad, said a press release.

It was observed that, previously, there was only one toll plaza. But now the Communications Division and NHA have started to collect toll at two places i.e. at the end of M-1 and at M-2. In this way due to double charge of toll the traffic jams has started to occur. The Standing Committee directed that there should be only one time toll receiving on whole of the Motorway. So, the Standing Committee directed that Communications Division should take necessary steps to solve the issue.

The committee was informed that the Communications Division and Finance Division have not yet paid increase in 20 percent allowance to Motorway Police as approved by the Prime Minister. The committee directed that the allowance should be paid to the employees of Motorway Police forthwith as approved by the Prime Minister of Pakistan in letter and spirit.

The Committee further directed that while paying the allowances to National Highway and Motorway Police the inflation rate should be kept in mind and all frozen allowances should be defreeze. 

The meeting was presided over by Chairman, Standing Committee of National Assembly on Communications, Muhammad Muzammil Qureshi and attended by Members National Assembly Sarzameen, Chaudhry Khalid Javid Warraich, Dr. Darshan, Nazir Ahmed Bughio, Salim Rehman, Engr. Hamid-ul-Haq Khalil, Naseema Hafeez Panezai and Shahjehan Muneer Mangrio. Secretary Communications and several senior civil officials were also present in the meeting.—PR