ISLAMABAD: Communications and Postal Service Minister Murad Saeed said on Monday that the launch of e-billing system would help the National Highway Authority (NHA) ensure transparency in its workings.
Addressing a ceremony after formally inaugurating the e-billing system at NHA, Murad Saeed said that e-billing system was part of the prime minister’s vision for ending the menace of corruption from all institutions.
“By launching the mobile application and now e-billing system, the NHA has opened all its record for the general public and media,” he stated.
The minister said that the NHA mobile app was launched to provide necessary information, particularly regarding projects’ implementation, execution and progress.
He said that concrete proofs of kickbacks in NHA projects would be sent to National Accountability Bureau (NAB), adding that the committee constituted to probe loans received in the last 10 years could also seek data for investigation.
He informed that the NHA generated Rs43.32 billion revenue during the first eleven months of fiscal year 2018-19, as compared to Rs28.64 billion in 2017-18, registering an increase of 51.25 per cent.
The ministry also recovered Rs7 billion during the said period and deposited the amount to the national kitty, he added.
“I have not spent a single penny of the national exchequer to cover my fuel expenses and have not even claimed any allowances. In contrast, ministers and parliamentary secretaries of the past not only used the NHA vehicles but also received hefty TA (travelling) and DA (daily) allowances,” he maintained.
He said that the NHA launched an anti-encroachment drive in 2018-19, where 3,347 encroachments were removed and resultantly 448.25-kanal land was recaptured.
He said under the Clean and Green Pakistan Programme, the NHA planted 757,926 trees along motorways and national highways during 2018-19, adding that from August 1 to 14 this year, NHA would launch a new plantation drive.
Referring to the recent visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to the United States, Murad Saeed said that Imran Khan contested the case of Pakistani nation and “the world has now acknowledged the sacrifices of Pakistan in the war against terrorism”.
He blamed the previous rulers for wasting national wealth for personal pleasure trips, saying that Imran Khan had set an example of austerity during his recent visit, which was very successful on the diplomatic front.
