The long-delayed Ring Road project in Rawalpindi has once again become the center of controversy, casting doubt over whether it will be officially inaugurated on August 14. Although the main route has largely been completed, a fresh dispute over the no-objection certificate (NOC) for a planned service area has created new uncertainty surrounding the project’s launch.
The latest controversy has also led to major administrative changes, with the commissioner, deputy commissioner, and several other senior officials being removed from their positions for the second time since the project began.
The Ring Road project has experienced multiple setbacks over the years. During the tenure of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, construction was halted after changes to the original design and expansion of the route sparked controversy. That dispute resulted in the transfer of several government officials and significantly delayed progress on the project.
After taking office, the Punjab government announced a series of completion targets in an effort to speed up construction. Following Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s visit to the project site, deadlines were set for December 30, 2025, March 30, 2026, May 30, June 15, and later between June 18 and June 22 for the road’s inauguration. However, none of these timelines were achieved.
The sixth target date was fixed for August 14 after the completion of the main Ring Road route connecting Banth Interchange directly to the motorway, excluding the Thalian Interchange section. Construction work on eight toll plazas and 16 toll booths is still underway.
Despite the progress, another legal issue has emerged over the approval of a 102-kanal and 14-marla service area planned on both sides of the Ring Road. The dispute regarding the NOC has once again delayed certainty over the official opening ceremony.
In a related development, a division bench of the Lahore High Court suspended an earlier decision by a single bench that had upheld the NOC. The court has scheduled the next hearing in the case for July 16.
Following the latest controversy, former Commissioner Engineer Abdul Aamer Khattak, Deputy Commissioner Waqar Hassan Cheema, former Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) Director General Kunza Murtaza, and two other officials were transferred to the Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD).
Meanwhile, newly appointed Commissioner Salman Ghani, Deputy Commissioner Nadeem Nasir, and Abad Department Director General Rao Atif Raza have taken charge. As legal proceedings continue, the future of the Ring Road inauguration remains uncertain despite substantial progress on the project.
