Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan has given all relevant instructions to the National Highway Authority (NHA) to expedite work on five major motorway and highway projects, signaling a renewed commitment to improving connectivity across the country.
Aleem Khan emphasized in the meeting that infrastructure progress must have to align with the rising expectations of the public and the growing demands of commerce. He specifically called for swift advancement on the M-6 Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway, M-10 (Karachi Northern Bypass), and the scenic Naran-Kaghan route, among others.
NHA to Invest Rs 150 billion
The NHA is about to invest a substantial Rs. 150 billion from its own resources in the current fiscal year. Out of this, Rs. 100 billion has been allocated just for the Karachi-Quetta-Chaman (N-25) highway, which is considered to be a critical lifeline for Balochistan’s trade and development, with construction expected to begin soon.
Motorway Projects to be Built with at Least 6 Lanes
Minister Khan made it clear that all future motorway projects must be built with at least six lanes, guaranteeing they meet long-term traffic needs and can accommodate Pakistan’s growing logistics demands. He reiterated the strategy of the government of pursuing public-private partnerships to captivate private investment and share the burden of mega infrastructure projects.
Read more: New Karakoram Highway 62km section will have 15 tunnels and nine bridges
No Time for Delays
“There is no time for delays,” he said. “The people demand to see real results—safe, wide, and modern roads that connect regions and power the economy.”
He highlighted that increasing revenue generation of NHA, which is depicting growing public trust and effective governance. Now, he said, is the time to deliver.
Various Projects Reaching Almost 90% Completion
Several priority projects are expected to reach almost ninety percent completion within the year, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif anticipated to inaugurate completed sections as they hit key milestones.
All pending highway proposals for Gilgit-Baltistan were ratified, addressing the long-standing infrastructure gaps in the mountainous region.
Another Focus is on Balanced Development
Aleem has kept on focusing on the importance of balanced development, urging planners to align projects with regional requirements instead of political considerations.
He also cleared up misconceptions surrounding the Lahore-Kasur road project, confirming that it has no connection to Raiwind, in response to circulating rumors.
As Pakistan has to encounter a number of challenges in trade, mobility, and rural connectivity, this renewed highly focuses on fast-tracked, inclusive and future-ready infrastructure is considered to be a significant step toward unlocking national growth.