Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan has said that Afghan citizens who criticise Pakistan despite decades of hospitality should consider going to India.
He made the remarks during a media talk and a ceremony at the Motorway Police Training College, where he also discussed major motorway projects and reforms in the transport sector.
Speaking to the media, Aleem Khan said Pakistan has hosted Afghan citizens for four decades, offering them facilities similar to those available to Pakistani citizens.
“We kept Afghanistan as our guest for 40 years,” he said, adding that many Afghan children were raised in Pakistan during this period.
However, the minister said it hurts when some Afghan nationals speak against Pakistan despite the hospitality extended to them.
“If India is so loved, Afghans should go to India,” he said, adding that Pakistan would still provide a route for them to travel to India if they wished.
“We will open the door from wherever they want to leave,” he added.
Motorway Police passing-out parade
The federal minister also attended the 12th passing-out parade at the Motorway Police Training College in Sheikhupura as the chief guest.
During his address, he congratulated the officers and cadets who completed their training, expressing special appreciation for the female cadets who passed out. He paid tribute to the martyrs of the Motorway Police, saying their sacrifices for the country will never be forgotten.
“The nation will always remember the martyrs who sacrificed their precious lives for the beloved country,” Aleem Khan said.
The communications minister stressed that improving institutions requires better professional training. He said the newly trained cadets are about to step into the field of action, expressing hope that they would adopt passion and dedication as their guiding principles.
Aleem Khan urged the Motorway Police to become a practical role model, adding that modern technology will be used in training management and national highways operations.
Major motorway projects
The minister also highlighted several key infrastructure projects aimed at expanding Pakistan’s motorway network. He said the Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway will be inaugurated this year, and work on the project will begin within the next two to three months.
According to Aleem Khan, the motorway will be completed within two years and will connect Hyderabad to Karachi Port, creating an important transportation corridor.
He added that the motorway network will eventually connect across Pakistan, including Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Aleem Khan announced that the Sialkot-Kharian Motorway will be completed within a year. He also said travel between Lahore and Islamabad will cover around 280 kilometers, and efforts are underway to reduce the travel time between Lahore, Rawalpindi and Islamabad to about two and a half hours.
The government is also working on a major tourism-focused motorway project that will connect Mansehra, Kaghan, Naran and Babusar Top, eventually extending towards the China border.
Hyderabad-Karachi motorway
Another key project announced by the minister is the Hyderabad-Karachi Motorway, which will begin from Karachi Port.
He explained that trucks leaving the port will be able to use the motorway to travel across the country without entering Karachi city, helping ease congestion.
Baba Guru Nanak Expressway
Aleem Khan also spoke about the Baba Guru Nanak Expressway, which is being developed for religious tourism and the Sikh community. He said the project will connect the motorway network to Kartarpur and Nankana Sahib.
According to the minister, the expressway will be showcased internationally, and the Sikh community is expected to invest in the project.
He added that the Baba Guru Nanak Expressway will be inaugurated this year.
The federal minister emphasized the need to digitalize Pakistan’s motorway system. He said 90% of M-tags were adopted within a year, improving toll collection and traffic flow. Aleem Khan announced that barrier-free toll plazas will soon be introduced, allowing vehicles to pass without stopping and eliminating long queues.
The government is also planning to introduce helicopter rescue services on motorways across Pakistan. The minister thanked the air chief for cooperation in the helicopter rescue initiative, which aims to provide faster emergency response for patients and accident victims.
NHA revenue shows growth
Aleem Khan praised the efforts of the National Highway Authority (NHA) for expanding the country’s road network. He said the NHA generated Rs66.8 billion in revenue in June 2024, which increased to Rs109 billion by June 2025 within a year.
According to the minister, the authority is expected to collect more than Rs135 billion in revenue this year. He credited the entire NHA team for their tireless work in achieving this growth.
The communications minister assured that the government will provide the Motorway Police with the resources they need according to operational requirements.
He reiterated that strengthening infrastructure and modernizing transport systems remain key priorities for the government.
