Islamabad: Federal Minister for Communications, Privatization, and Board of Investment, Abdul Aleem Khan, has issued new directives aimed at enhancing the profitability and efficiency of the National Highway Authority (NHA). The minister emphasized the importance of self-sufficiency and integrity in transforming NHA into a resource-increasing organization, focusing on major motorway projects and asserting a zero-tolerance policy on corruption.
According to Press Information Department, during a high-level meeting at the NHA headquarters, Minister Khan outlined a series of strategic priorities and actions for the authority. Top of the agenda is the swift construction of the motorway from Sukkur to Karachi, along with the completion of key highways connecting Karachi to Quetta and Mansehra to Babusar Top. The minister highlighted these routes as vital for enhancing trade links with Central Asia, which he views as crucial for the nation’s economic benefit.
Minister Khan detailed his plan to overhaul the operational practices of the NHA to prevent wastage of government funds and combat corruption. He proposed that all new and ongoing NHA projects undergo third-party evaluations by multinational companies to ensure standards and transparency. The minister also mentioned that with enhanced resource management, the NHA could compete for international contracts in countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Additional directives from Minister Khan include enforcing regulations against overloading on highways, improving traffic flow with mandatory “M-Tag” usage on all motorways, including the Lahore-Sialkot sector, and a personal review of ongoing projects in Sindh and Balochistan to ensure timely progress. He also reviewed various projects across Balochistan, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including upgrades and new construction from Khuzdar to Kuchlak and other significant routes.
The meeting concluded with the decision to accelerate efforts and ensure that the National Highway Authority rises to meet these ambitious goals, reflecting the government’s commitment to infrastructure development and economic growth.