Senior journalist Azaz Syed has claimed that Rawalpindi’s major Ring Road project has once again become controversial, with the Punjab government launching an investigation into alleged changes made to the project’s approved design.
According to Azaz Syed, sources said the Punjab government has sought the complete record of the Ring Road project from the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA). An initial inquiry report will be submitted to the provincial government.
He said sources indicated that if the preliminary report identifies irregularities, the matter will be referred to the Anti-Corruption Establishment. The Punjab government is also considering the formation of a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to investigate the case.
According to the sources cited by Azaz Syed, authorities are conducting a detailed review of the project’s no-objection certificates (NOCs), approved layouts, access roads, and other legal approvals.
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The sources further claimed that NOCs issued to provide access to private service areas have also come under investigation. The legal status of an alleged NOC dated January 28, 2026, along with related official records, is being examined.
According to RDA sources quoted by Azaz Syed, granting access to service areas affects the approved design and traffic management plan of the Ring Road project.
The investigation also includes scrutiny of records related to NOCs, access roads, land use, building plans, and approvals for petrol pumps.
🚨🚨راولپنڈی کا ایک بڑا منصوبہ رنگ روڈ ایک بار پھر متنازعہ ہوگیا ہے، ذرائع بتاتے ہیں کہ منصوبہ کے ڈیزائن میں مبینہ تبدیلی کا معاملہ سامنے آنے پر پنجاب حکومت نے تحقیقات بھی شروع کر دی ہیں،حکام کی جانب سے راولپنڈی ڈویلپمنٹ اتھارٹی سے رنگ روڈ منصوبے کا تمام ریکارڈ طلب کر لیا گیا… pic.twitter.com/RuTNjHvmwG
— Azaz Syed (@AzazSyed) July 11, 2026
Several officials, including Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Shahryar Shirazi, former Commissioner Amir Khattak, Assistant Commissioner Hakim Khan, and former RDA Director General Kunza Murtaza, have already been transferred.
Azaz Syed further stated that during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government’s tenure, the Ring Road project had also faced allegations of design changes. At that time, the then-prime minister ordered action against then-Commissioner Capt. (Retd.) Muhammad Mehmood, Deputy Commissioner Anwar ul Haq, and other officials.
According to the claims made by Azaz Syed, the Punjab government is currently investigating all aspects of the alleged second instance of design changes in the Rawalpindi Ring Road project.
