Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan has directed the National Highway Authority (NHA) to establish new toll plazas across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) to enhance revenue collection on national highways and motorways passing through the province.
The decision was made during a high-level meeting held at the Ministry of Communications, where relevant NHA members briefed the minister on periodic repair works, routine maintenance needs, and pending financial liabilities. As per the official press release, the minister emphasized that a stronger, more sustainable revenue stream is essential for keeping national road infrastructure in good condition.
Why New Toll Plazas in K-P?
K-P is home to some of Pakistan’s most important road corridors, including routes connecting the province to other regions and neighboring countries. These roads handle:
• Heavy commercial traffic, including cargo and trade vehicles
• Tourist traffic heading toward northern areas
• Daily commuting between major cities and towns
Despite this, revenue collection from existing toll plazas is often not enough compared to the cost of road repairs, expansion, and safety enhancements. By adding more toll plazas at strategic points, the government aims to:
• Increase NHA’s financial capacity
• Improve maintenance of highways and motorways
• Ensure timely completion of road projects in K-P
Read more: Punjab toll plazas go digital: Paper slips replaced with “One App, One System”
Coordination with K-P Government
Minister Abdul Aleem Khan instructed the communications secretary to take the K-P government into confidence regarding the establishment of new toll plazas. This step is important to:
• Address local concerns
• Ensure provincial-federal coordination
• Avoid misunderstandings over toll locations and revenue use
The minister’s direction reflects an effort to build political and regional consensus, especially in a province where public sentiment around federal projects can be sensitive.
Possible Impacts of New Toll Plazas on Commuters and the Economy
The decision to introduce more toll plazas will have a mixed impact:
Positive impacts:
• Better road quality due to increased funds for maintenance
• Improved safety, signages, and infrastructure over time
• Stronger regional connectivity, supporting trade and tourism
• Potential for faster completion of ongoing and future projects
Challenges and public concerns:
• Higher travel costs for regular commuters, transporters, and logistics companies
• Possible resistance from locals if they feel roads are being overcharged without visible improvement
• The requirement for transparent use of toll revenue, so masses can see that what they pay is reinvested in the same region
Read more: Inflation, new Thalian interchange and toll plazas add Rs 12 billion to cost of Rawalpindi Ring Road
Call for Transparency and Fairness
For the new toll plazas to gain public acceptance, it will be much important that:
• Toll rates remain reasonable and justified
• Revenue is clearly linked to maintenance and development in K-P
• Local stakeholders, including transport unions and business communities, are consulted
• Modern systems like electronic toll collection are introduced to reduce congestion and leakages
If implemented with transparency and fairness, this initiative could assist in transforming highways and motorways in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa into safer, smoother and more reliable routes—supporting both the local population and the national economy.