ISLAMABAD: The federal government is considering public-private partnerships (PPPs) to develop major motorway and highway projects, with the National Highway Authority (NHA) and Privatisation Commission agreeing to identify four projects for private-sector participation in the first phase.
The decision was discussed at a meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan, attended by Adviser to the Prime Minister on Privatisation Muhammad Ali and senior officials from both organisations.
The meeting reviewed potential infrastructure projects, investment opportunities and strategies to attract private investors to Pakistan’s motorway network.
Aleem Khan proposed developing a 169-kilometre section of the M-10 motorway through a public-private partnership arrangement, aiming to reduce dependence on government development funding.
He also outlined plans to connect the proposed Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad-Chilas motorway corridor with the Chinese border, highlighting its potential importance for regional connectivity.
The minister noted that the Sialkot-Kharian M-12 motorway was already being developed under a public-private partnership model.
Discussing other potential projects, Aleem Khan said the proposed Guru Nanak Expressway could be developed through private-sector participation to facilitate Sikh religious tourism.
He said the expressway could improve access to religious destinations and create opportunities for tourism-related economic activity.
The minister also proposed extending the Murree Expressway towards Kashmir, saying improved road connectivity could support tourism and economic development in the region.
Aleem Khan directed NHA officials to prepare comprehensive business plans for commercially viable projects and prioritise schemes capable of attracting private investment.
He said the authority’s improving revenue performance was encouraging and reflected progress towards greater financial independence.
The minister expressed his ambition to transform the NHA into an organisation with financial capacity worth Rs500 billion to Rs1 trillion, reducing its reliance on government development programmes and budgetary allocations.
He emphasised that private-sector participation could help accelerate infrastructure development while easing pressure on public finances.
Adviser Muhammad Ali assured the NHA of the Privatisation Commission’s full cooperation in preparing projects and facilitating private-sector investment.
The meeting agreed that the NHA and Privatisation Commission would complete preliminary work on the proposed projects and reconvene after one week to review progress.
Federal Secretary for Communications, the NHA chairman and senior Privatisation Commission officials also attended the meeting.
The initiative forms part of the government’s efforts to explore alternative financing arrangements for transport infrastructure while expanding motorway connectivity and strengthening the NHA’s financial sustainability.