The minister for communications in Pakistan, Abdul Aleem Khan, has outlined plans for major highway and motorway projects, alongside financial reforms at the National Highway Authority (NHA), during a meeting with business leaders in Lahore.
Addressing the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Aleem Khan said the government was seeking to improve national connectivity, strengthen trade routes and ensure greater financial discipline in road infrastructure development.
He congratulated the chamber’s newly elected leadership and pledged cooperation with the business community, describing industrial growth and trade as essential to Pakistan’s economic future.
The federal minister said the NHA was working to increase its revenue from Rs.66 billion to Rs.160 billion through improved financial management and revenue generation.
He added that administrative expenditure had been capped at Rs.50 billion, with the aim of directing more funds towards infrastructure development without placing additional pressure on the public budget.
According to the minister, 70 percent of the authority’s revenue was being reinvested in Balochistan, where the N-25 highway was among the key priorities.
He said 66 major projects, requiring a combined investment of Rs3 trillion, were being prioritized across the country to improve transport links.
The minister said expansion work on the Faisalabad Motorway was progressing without funding from the government budget.
He also highlighted the Sambrial-Kharian Motorway, which he said would shorten the Lahore-to-Rawalpindi journey by about 100km and save more than an hour of travel time.
Construction of the Lodhran Expressway was expected to be completed using the authority’s own resources, he added.
Aleem Khan said work on the Sukkur-Karachi Motorway was due to begin the following month, with three sections approved. The project is intended to improve access to Karachi Port and facilitate the movement of goods.
He also outlined plans to extend the Murree Expressway towards Azad Kashmir and explore further motorway links beyond Kaghan and Naran. These proposals, he said, could support tourism and improve trade connectivity with neighbouring regions.
Aleem Khan said the Ministry of Communications would work more closely with businesses to address operational concerns affecting trade and transport.
He directed officials from the NHA and Motorway Police to hold regular meetings with LCCI representatives and proposed appointing a focal person in the ministry to improve communication with the private sector.
He assured business leaders that their concerns would be considered in infrastructure planning.
The event, which was attended by the President, Senior Vice President and Vice President of the Chamber, also featured a special documentary showcasing Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan’s public service and philanthropic achievements.