The Punjab government has initiated a formal inquiry into allegations that the approved design of the Rawalpindi Ring Road (RRR) project was altered and that privately owned service areas were granted unauthorized access along the controlled-access corridor. Several senior officials are under scrutiny over alleged procedural irregularities and possible breaches of government regulations.
Inquiry Tasked to Additional Chief Secretary
Official sources confirmed that Additional Chief Secretary Punjab Ahmad Raza Sarwar has been assigned to conduct a preliminary inquiry and submit a report to the provincial government. The investigation will determine whether there is prima facie evidence of corruption, breaches of standard operating procedures (SOPs), or other administrative irregularities. If sufficient evidence is found, the matter is expected to be referred to the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) for a comprehensive investigation.
As part of the inquiry, the Additional Chief Secretary recently visited Rawalpindi and examined official records at the office of the Director General of the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) in the Government Officers’ Residence (GOR) complex. The records reviewed included no-objection certificates (NOCs), approved layouts, access roads, and planning approvals related to the project.
Controversy Emerges in Lahore High Court
The controversy surfaced during proceedings before the Lahore High Court (LHC)’s Rawalpindi Bench. The RDA filed a writ petition and a subsequent intra-court appeal challenging the legality of an alleged NOC issued on January 28, 2026. In its appeal, the RDA argued that the Ring Road is an ECNEC-approved controlled-access highway and that any additional entry or exit point, service road, or access connection requires prior approval from the competent government authorities and relevant technical forums.
The authority further maintained that no record of the alleged NOC dated January 28, 2026 could be traced in official files, departmental records, or dispatch registers. According to the RDA, permitting an additional access point would fundamentally alter the project’s approved design, engineering framework, traffic management plan, and controlled-access system. The RDA emphasized that it is merely the implementing agency and has no authority to alter the approved route, design, interchanges, or controlled-access framework on its own accord.
Petitioner’s Claims and Investments
The petitioner, however, contended before the court that the NOC had been lawfully issued, enabling approvals for land-use conversion, commercial building plans, petrol filling stations, and other developments. Court records reveal that the petitioner acquired 46 kanals and 13 marlas of land on the northern side of the project and 56 kanals and one marla on the southern side. The petitioner claimed to have paid more than Rs31.784 million in government dues and building fees and invested over Rs753.2 million, including third-party contractual commitments, in developing commercial service areas.
Implications and Next Steps
The outcome of the preliminary inquiry will determine whether the matter escalates to a full ACE investigation. The case highlights the tension between private development interests and the integrity of major infrastructure projects. The RDA’s stance underscores the importance of adhering to approved designs and controlled-access protocols for highways. The Punjab government’s swift action signals a commitment to accountability and transparency in public works.
