Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan announced that the National Highway Authority (NHA) achieved a revenue increase of Rs50 billion over the past year. He shared this during a session in the Senate.
The minister said Pakistan can generate more revenue by improving road infrastructure in tourist regions. He added that the NHA is ready to take control of roads in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir. This move aims to unlock the tourism potential in these areas.
Abdul Aleem Khan emphasized that upgrading roads in scenic locations can boost national revenue. The summer holiday season sees a high influx of tourists, which creates an opportunity to increase income through better infrastructure.
The minister said the NHA has asked provincial and Azad Kashmir authorities to transfer road management. Once handed over, the NHA will work on refurbishing these roads to improve safety and access.
Regarding infrastructure projects, Khan provided an update on the Lowari Tunnel. Package One of the tunnel, covering 6.18 kilometers, was completed in 2010. Package Two, which includes 14.6 kilometers and the South Access road of 7.3 kilometers, was finished in December 2020.
On the internal administration front, Abdul Aleem Khan promised to take strict action against any violations of deputation rules within the NHA. He said that if any appointments are found to be against Supreme Court orders, those individuals will be removed immediately.
Khan assured that these actions will be taken without any personal bias. His statements reflect a commitment to transparency and good governance within the NHA.
This revenue growth and focus on improving road infrastructure highlight the NHA’s key role in supporting Pakistan’s economic development and tourism sector.
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