ISLAMABAD, May 20, 2026: A delegation of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank met Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan in Islamabad to discuss major motorway and infrastructure projects, including the Karachi-Hyderabad and Hyderabad-Sukkur motorways.
According to the Ministry of Communications, AIIB Vice President Konstantin Limitovskiy and Director General Xiaohong Wang discussed ongoing and proposed transport projects with the minister. The meeting focused on infrastructure financing, motorway development and emergency response services on national highways.
Abdul Aleem Khan said Pakistan considered partnership and investment with AIIB important for completing major transport projects. He said the government wanted to complete several key communication and infrastructure schemes within the next two years.
The minister described the Karachi-Hyderabad and Hyderabad-Sukkur motorways as among the most important projects for Pakistan’s economic development. He said the government would use available resources to complete the projects on time.
According to the ministry, the motorway section linked to Karachi Port is planned as an eight-lane route, while the Hyderabad-Sukkur section will have six lanes.
Lahore-Sialkot, Kharian-Rawalpindi motorways also discussed
The minister said the Lahore-Sialkot and Kharian-Rawalpindi motorway projects were also expected to be completed within two years.
He said the route would reduce the travel distance between Lahore and Islamabad by 100 kilometres, cut travel time by about one hour and help save billions of rupees annually in fuel costs.
Air ambulance service planned for motorways
Abdul Aleem Khan also said an air ambulance service and modern trauma centres would be established on motorways in collaboration with the Pakistan Air Force.
He thanked the Air Chief Marshal and said the service would be launched with the support of the PAF. The proposed helicopter-based emergency response system is aimed at improving rescue and medical support for motorway users.
The minister also invited the AIIB delegation to visit completed National Highway Authority projects. The delegation expressed interest in working with the NHA and said it would also visit Lahore.
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