Federal Minister for Communications, Privatization, and Board of Investment Abdul Aleem Khan has instructed the National Highway Authority (NHA) to prioritize the construction of highways and identify new projects. He emphasized that there should be no compromise on the quality of highway and road construction, urging the NHA Chairman to assign honest and competent officers to these projects.
Chairing a high-level NHA meeting on Thursday, the federal minister highlighted the issue of funding, noting that simply spending money is not a solution. He urged government departments to take measures to increase their income. He also encouraged NHA officers to leverage their skills and expertise to develop project models for other countries, thereby boosting the Authority’s annual income.
Abdul Aleem Khan underscored the strategic importance of constructing the Gilgit-Khunjrab Motorway, which could enhance access to China and Central Asian states. Additionally, he stressed the significance of land connectivity through road and rail to Gwadar.
During the meeting, the federal minister received a detailed briefing on the Gilgit Package, which includes the construction of roads from Gilgit to Chitral, Shandoor, and Mansehra. He stated that improving security and facilities on these highways would increase tourism and travel. It was reported that the NHA would receive an additional 23 billion rupees this year, including funds for constructing new toll plazas and enhancing their operations. Projects in all four provinces were discussed, and several important decisions were made during this high-level meeting.
