Urdu Report Desk
The federal government has begun considering public-private partnerships to develop motorways and other infrastructure projects under the National Highway Authority (NHA), with the authority and the Privatisation Commission agreeing to advance four projects in the first phase.
The decision was discussed at a meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan alongside Prime Minister’s Adviser on Privatisation Muhammad Ali.
M-10 Motorway Project Proposed for Public-Private Partnership
During the meeting, officials proposed completing a 169-kilometre section of the M-10 Motorway under the public-private partnership model.
The participants also discussed several other infrastructure initiatives aimed at improving road connectivity and attracting private investment in national development projects.
Plan to Link Northern Areas with Chinese Border
Abdul Aleem Khan said the government wanted to connect the motorway route through Mansehra, Naran, Jalkhand and Chilas with the Chinese border.
He also said the Guru Nanak Expressway, which is important to the Sikh community, could be developed under the same public-private partnership model.
According to the minister, the project could help promote religious tourism among Sikh pilgrims visiting Pakistan.
NHA Aims to Strengthen Financial Independence
The communications minister welcomed the significant increase in NHA revenue, saying it was an encouraging development and indicated that the authority was moving towards financial independence.
Khan said he wanted to develop the NHA into an organisation worth between Rs500 billion and Rs1 trillion. The aim, he explained, was to reduce its reliance on government development programmes and public funding.
Other Motorway and Road Projects Discussed
The meeting also discussed the Sialkot-Kharian M-12 Motorway and a proposal to extend the Murree Expressway towards Kashmir, along with other infrastructure projects.
Abdul Aleem Khan directed NHA officials to prepare a comprehensive business plan for the proposed initiatives.
Follow-Up Meeting Planned Within a Week
Muhammad Ali assured the meeting of his full cooperation in advancing the projects under the public-private partnership framework.
The NHA and the Privatisation Commission agreed to complete the preliminary work promptly and hold another meeting after one week to review progress.
