Islamabad: An important meeting of the National Highway Authority (NHA) took place under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan, where significant decisions were made to modernize the country’s communication network. Minister Khan announced the construction of a new motorway, the Mansehra-Naran-Jhalkhand-Chilas (MNJC) Motorway, which will serve as a safer and shorter alternative to the Karakoram Highway, reducing the travel distance by up to 120 kilometers.

According to Press Information Department, this ambitious project, which will span 172 kilometers, is set to be completed in two phases. The first phase will see the motorway built from Mansehra to Kaghan, Naran, and Babusar Top, while the second phase will extend it from Babusar Top to Chilas. A key feature of the project is the construction of the Babusar Tunnel, which, at 13.5 kilometers, will be the longest tunnel in Pakistan. The motorway is initially designed as a four-lane road, with the potential to expand to six lanes, and will include modern rest areas and specialized trucking terminals.

Federal Minister Khan highlighted the economic potential of the MNJC Motorway, emphasizing its role in reducing transit times and costs for trade between the Arabian Sea and China. By connecting Western China to Karachi and Gwadar ports, the new route is expected to enhance the development of the Gwadar Port and facilitate more efficient trade, offering a strategic advantage for the region. The meeting concluded with directives to finalize the technical aspects of the project promptly.