In a significant move to enhance the country’s infrastructure, Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan announced on August 29 that all future motorways in Pakistan will be designed with a minimum of six lanes. This ambitious directive was shared during a meeting with the National Highways Authority (NHA), attended by senior NHA officials, including its chairman and the federal secretary for communications.
Khan stressed that the new motorways connecting Karachi to Sukkur and Sialkot to Kharian, and extending to Islamabad, are of utmost priority. He instructed that these key routes should be constructed with at least three lanes in each direction to accommodate increasing traffic volumes and future demands.
Highlighting the need for a robust road network, the minister called on the NHA to enhance revenue through the development of toll plazas that cater to heavy traffic, both public and private vehicles. He also emphasized the need for strict enforcement of axle load regulations, warning that any violations would face serious consequences.
Regarding revenue generation, Khan proposed that areas struggling with toll collection challenges might benefit from privatizing this aspect. He urged the NHA to establish annual revenue targets to boost both efficiency and financial stability, aiming for the institution’s self-sufficiency. The minister stressed that dependence on government funding alone is unsustainable. Instead, the NHA should leverage its resources and expertise to achieve financial independence, which will also support its mission to improve the nation’s transport infrastructure.
Khan also envisions a future where Pakistan’s transportation network not only meets domestic needs but also attracts international interest, potentially offering services to other countries and enhancing the country’s global standing.
In response to these directives, the NHA chairman acknowledged current challenges, including the fact that only 13% of toll tax is being collected from 57% of the highways. He assured that efforts are underway to address these issues through both immediate and long-term policy adjustments, in line with the minister’s new vision.
