Federal Minister of Privatisation and Investment Board and Communications Abdul Aleem Khan has directed the National Highway Authority (NHA) to transform the Lahore-Sialkot Motorway into a barrier-free corridor.

This directive underscores the government's commitment to modernizing the country's road network to meet future demands effectively.

During a high-level meeting chaired by Minister Abdul Aleem Khan, discussions also focused on upgrading the Sialkot-Rawalpindi Motorway from four lanes to six, aligning infrastructure projects with long-term national needs rather than current demands alone.

Stressing the strategic importance of highways and motorways as national assets, Minister Khan highlighted the necessity of constructing roads that not only cater to immediate transport needs but also promise long-term economic benefits.

Furthermore, in Balochistan, the completion of the N25 highway in phases, costing approximately Rs150 billion, was deliberated upon as part of ongoing efforts to bolster connectivity across the region. Minister Khan instructed the NHA to engage with the Gilgit-Baltistan government to address pertinent issues affecting ongoing projects, demonstrating a proactive approach towards resolving regional infrastructure challenges.

The meeting also saw directives issued to incorporate live surveillance cameras on highways and construction sites, integrate all projects into the Kodish Board for streamlined reporting to the Prime Minister, and implement third-party evaluations of highway maintenance projects to ensure quality and accountability.

The initiatives discussed are part of Pakistan's broader vision to enhance connectivity, facilitate economic growth, and ensure sustainable development through robust infrastructure investments, particularly in alignment with projects linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).