Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan has endorsed a stern directive to officers of the National Highway Authority (NHA), urging them to accelerate work on all ongoing projects and ensure their completion without further delays. Emphasizing that no more relaxation and time will be given, Federal Minister declared this as the final notice for the officers, asking that severe disciplinary action will be taken in cases of negligence, inefficiency or unwarranted delays. Chairing a high-level meeting at the NHA Headquarters, Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan stressed the need to swiftly complete construction, repair and expansion projects related to Highways and Motorways. He directed that the main highway connecting Gwadar Port must be completed by March 2026 while also calling for expedited work on the strategic Hoshab-Awaran-Nall Highway in Balochistan.
In Karachi, the Federal Minister instructed for the early completion of the Lyari Expressway, ensuring high construction standards, development of green areas and tree plantation along the vacant land of NHA. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he ordered faster progress on the Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad Expressway. Abdul Aleem Khan further directed NHA to initiate indiscriminate operations to eliminate encroachments along Highways and present him an implementation report in this regard. He emphasized that the Prime Minister himself will inaugurate the major projects of NHA therefore they must be fully completed in all respects. Based on his recent field visits, Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan instructed the development of well-equipped rest areas along the Islamabad Murree dual carriage Expressway to cater to tourist needs including family washrooms and refreshment facilities. Federal Minister also called for a nationwide survey of existing roadside spaces along NHA Highways and ordered their reallocation through new contracts, aligned with regional requirements.
During the meeting, Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan was briefed on NHA’s revenue streams and other key matters. He directed that all NHA projects like toll plazas should be offered through open bidding, ensuring transparent participation for all citizens. He also instructed to launch a public awareness campaign to promote this initiative. The meeting was attended by the Federal Secretary for Communications, CEO of NHA and senior officers from Lahore, Karachi, Quetta and Peshawar via video link who briefed the Federal Minister on the current status of projects within their respective zones.
