WEB DESK: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has sharply criticised the quality of infrastructure work in his home constituency, Sialkot, after heavy rains left Khadim Ali Road riddled with massive potholes.
In a post on X formerly Twitter, Asif highlighted the Pakistan Cities Improvement Investment Programme (PICIIP), a World Bank-funded project that has been under execution in Sialkot and Sahiwal for several years. He said that despite the loan amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars, the work reflected in Sialkot raised serious questions about quality and accountability.
یہ ایک پراجیکٹ ھے جس کا نام PICIIP ھے سینکڑوں ڈالر کا ورلڈ بینک کا قرضہ دو شہروں سیالکوٹ اور ساہیوال میں کئی سال سے کام ھو رہا ھے۔ کام کی کوالٹی کا آپ اس وڈیو سے اندازہ لگا لیں۔ یہ سیالکوٹ میں خادم علی روڈ ھے اور اسکے نیچے PICCIP کے ٹھیکدار نے پائپ ڈالے ھیں ۔ اس سے باقی کام کی… pic.twitter.com/UA019UFOSh
— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) August 29, 2025
“This is Khadim Ali Road in Sialkot, where the PICIIP contractor laid pipes. You can judge the rest of the project by this,” he wrote, sharing footage of the battered road. The minister added that although a disposal station had been constructed outside the city, it was still not functional.
Over 800,000 cusecs threaten Punjab, PDMA warns as Sutlej swells
Asif alleged that the contractor responsible for the project wielded significant political influence, even serving as a parliamentarian, making accountability more difficult.
“This is my constituency, so it is my duty to raise my voice,” he stressed, calling for scrutiny into the misuse of funds and negligence in execution. The rain damage has sparked fresh debate over transparency in foreign-funded development schemes.
The Defense Minister is often known for sharing his thoughts on X, and recently criticised the bureaucracy for complacency and their roles of deteriorating state structures.
Sialkot flooding
Earlier this week severe flooding in Sialkot forced the closure of all schools and colleges, with the government instructing strict enforcement for public safety. The floods also caused the collapse of Guna Bridge in Pasrur, cutting off road access between Sialkot and Pasrur. Flight operations at Sialkot International Airport were also suspended for after floodwaters entered from the southern side, though the runway and parking area were largely unaffected. Airport staff, aided by pumps and machinery, worked to drain water, with officials confirming equipment remains safe. Flooding severely impacted the Sialkot region for four consecutive days, forcing the closure of schools and colleges.