The National Highway Authority (NHA) has decided to regulate commercial activities along both sides of the country’s highways, following instructions from Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan.
Opportunities for private sector businesses will be made available across all four provinces, with bids for firms with an annual turnover of Rs300 million set to open on February 25.
This initiative is part of the Federal Minister’s vision to transform the NHA into a modern and self-sufficient organization. Following toll plazas, the right-of-ways (ROWs) along national highways will be leased to private firms to formalize commercial activity and boost revenue. Advertisements have already been issued to ensure transparency and attract qualified participants.
According to the advertisements, ROWs along highways from N5 to N80 will be offered on lease. Locations include Karachi, Hyderabad, Quetta, Lasbela, Bhakkar, Rahim Yar Khan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, and Multan.
Leasing will also take place along highways in Lahore, Wazirabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Kohat and Abbottabad. Pre-qualified firms’ financial bids will be opened on February 25, presenting a lucrative investment opportunity for companies with an annual turnover of Rs300 million.
NOCs and annual lease fees for hotels and petrol pumps on national highways will be outsourced. This step will create more business opportunities for the public along highways in all four provinces.
The leasing of ROWs to the private sector will strictly follow PPRA rules and regulations, ensuring increased NHA revenue and discouraging unauthorized commercial activities and encroachments along highways.
