Lahore: Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan has issued a final directive to officers of the National Highway Authority (NHA), calling for immediate acceleration of ongoing infrastructure projects and warning that no further delays will be tolerated.
Chairing a high-level meeting at the NHA Headquarters, the minister emphasized that this was the last warning for officers responsible for delayed or underperforming projects. “No more relaxation or extensions will be granted,” he stated, adding that strict disciplinary action would be taken against negligence, inefficiency, or unwarranted delays in project execution.
The meeting was attended by the Federal Secretary for Communications, the CEO of NHA, and senior officials from Lahore, Karachi, Quetta, and Peshawar, who joined via video link to provide updates on project progress in their respective zones.
Abdul Aleem Khan underscored the urgency of completing key construction, repair, and expansion initiatives involving highways and motorways across the country. He specifically directed that the main highway linking Gwadar Port be completed by March 2026, and urged swift progress on the Hoshab–Awaran–Nall Highway in Balochistan — a route of strategic importance.
In Karachi, the minister called for expedited completion of the Lyari Expressway, instructing that all work meet high construction standards and include greenbelt development and tree plantation along NHA-owned land.
He also reviewed the status of the Mansehra–Naran–Jalkhad Expressway in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, ordering faster work to improve regional connectivity. In addition, the minister instructed the NHA to launch indiscriminate operations against encroachments along national highways and submit a detailed implementation report.
Based on recent field visits, Abdul Aleem Khan directed the development of fully equipped rest areas along the Islamabad–Murree Dual Carriageway to support tourism. These facilities are to include family washrooms, refreshment options, and other amenities tailored to public needs.
The minister also called for a nationwide survey of roadside spaces managed by NHA, with the goal of reallocating them through transparent new contracts that address local and regional requirements.
During the briefing, the minister reviewed NHA’s revenue streams and operational practices. He instructed that infrastructure assets such as toll plazas be offered through open bidding processes to ensure transparency and inclusive participation. He further directed the launch of a public awareness campaign to inform citizens about these measures.
Abdul Aleem Khan noted that the Prime Minister is expected to inaugurate several major NHA projects, and therefore, all work must be completed comprehensively and on schedule.
The meeting reflected the government’s ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure delivery, enhance transparency, and strengthen public accountability in large-scale development projects.
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