Federal Minister for Boards of Investment, Communications and Privatization Abdul Aleem Khan chaired a high-level meeting at the National Highways Authority (NHA).
Federal Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan has announced a comprehensive new task and departmental action plan for the National Highway Authority (NHA).
The meeting focused on accelerating the construction and repair of critical road infrastructure across Pakistan, particularly emphasizing the need for safe and standard highways.
Minister Khan outlined the construction of a standard and safe expressway from Karachi to Sukkur as a top priority.
He also directed the immediate construction of roads from Karachi to Quetta and from Mansehra to Babu Sir Top to improve connectivity and security in these regions.
Stressing the need for financial independence, Minister Khan urged the NHA to raise its funds through revenue generation and not rely solely on government funding.
“Government funds will not be wasted, there will be zero tolerance for corruption,” he emphasized. The aim of this directive is to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of funds.
To maintain road safety and infrastructure integrity, NHA will enforce strict truck weight regulations that will prohibit vehicles with loads exceeding the specified limits from using the highways. This measure is expected to reduce road wear and improve the safety of all motorists.
Abdul Aleem Khan called for a change in the attitude of the NHA and urged the organization to work with integrity and dedication to become a recognized entity for the country and its citizens. He stressed the importance of ensuring NHA’s profitability and ensuring that staff and officers receive competitive salaries and packages.
The Federal Communications Minister emphasized the strategic importance of expanding Pakistan’s road network to connect Central Asian countries. The vision includes NHA’s potential to secure contracts in international markets such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Minister Khan ordered that all highways, including the Lahore-Sialkot highway, be equipped with M-Tag systems that will streamline toll collection and increase efficiency. He also ordered third party evaluations from MNCs for various projects to ensure quality and adherence to international standards.
The meeting included a detailed briefing on road construction and repair in Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Minister Khan’s directives aim to transform the NHA into a financially independent, transparent and efficient organisation, capable of competing with the private sector and contributing significantly to the country’s infrastructure development.
