Press Release Title: Senator Pervaiz Rasheed, Chairman Senate Standing Committee On Communications presiding over a meeting of the committee at Parliament House Islamabad

Press Release Date: 19th December, 2025

A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Communications was held at the Parliament House under the chairmanship of Senator Pervaiz Rasheed. Federal Minister for Communications, Mr. Abdul Aleem Khan, briefed the committee in detail on ongoing and planned development projects related to motorways, highways, service areas, and other road infrastructure across the country. The Federal Minister informed the committee that  the National Highway Authority (NHA) had an annual revenue of Rs. 66.8 billion, which had remained stagnant for the previous six years. He stated that since  June 2024, NHA has generated Rs. 108.9 billion in revenue, reflecting a 63 percent increase. He expressed confidence that by the end of his tenure, NHA’s revenue would reach between Rs. 400 and 500 billion, and that in the next fiscal year, its income would exceed allocations received under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP). Mr. Abdul Aleem Khan attributed the revenue growth to reforms such as the expansion of the M-Tag system, axle load management, and toll plaza improvements.  The Minister further informed the committee that by 2026, air ambulance services would be launched on all national highways to ensure timely medical assistance in the event of accidents. He added that properly equipped service areas are being constructed at intervals of 20 to 25 kilometers on motorways, providing washrooms and other essential facilities for travelers. He emphasized that these initiatives would be financed through NHA’s own revenue generation rather than government grants. Briefing the committee on ongoing projects, the Minister stated that work had commenced on the Mansehra–Kaghan Highway, while the PC-I for the Sukkur–Hyderabad Motorway had been approved and the project would be executed in five separate sections. He added that the Hyderabad–Karachi Motorway was being linked to Karachi Port to help prevent frequent accidents. Highlighting tourism-related initiatives, Mr. Abdul Aleem Khan stated that discussions were underway with the governments of Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa regarding the transfer of various mountainous roads to NHA, enabling the construction of quality infrastructure to promote tourism. He also announced that the Sialkot–Lahore project would be expanded from four lanes to a six-lane motorway. The committee was informed that feasibility studies for several major projects including Kharian–Rawalpindi (117 km), Sialkot–Kharian (69 km), Sukkur–Hyderabad (306 km), and Hyderabad–Karachi (160 km) have been completed.  Additionally, the PC-I for the Sialkot–Kharian Motorway has been forwarded by CDWP to ECNEC for approval, while land acquisition and related issues for the 153-kilometer Chitral–Shandoor Highway have been resolved. The Minister also apprised the committee that the Murree–Islamabad Expressway, Lyari Expressway, and the Thokar Niaz Baig to Ring Road section in Lahore have been upgraded. He added that new service areas had been established on both directions of the Murree Expressway, where none previously existed. Regarding connectivity improvements, Mr. Abdul Aleem Khan stated that the Lahore–Sialkot Motorway is being expanded from four to six lanes, and a six-lane motorway will also be constructed from Kharian to Rawalpindi. He noted that the completion of the Lahore–Kharian–Rawalpindi Motorway would reduce travel distance by 100 kilometers, resulting in significant fuel savings and smoother traffic flow. During the meeting, Senator Hidayatullah raised concerns over traffic congestion and frequent accidents on the Chakdara–Timergara and Chitral–Shandur road sections, recommending expedited and improved work on the most congested segments. The Federal Minister assured the committee of prompt action in this regard. The Minister also briefed the committee on the Ring Road and Park View issues, clarifying that the matter had previously been discussed in the Senate and that steps were taken to facilitate Park View. While the Chairman Committee expressed satisfaction with the briefing and stated that his concerns had been adequately addressed, a heated exchange of words occurred between the Federal Minister and Senator Palwasha Khan. Upon the Chairman’s request, the Minister apologized, after which the remaining agenda items were deferred to the next meeting. The meeting was attended by Senators Dost Ali Jaseer, Jam Saifullah Khan, Hidayatullah Khan, Bilal Ahmed Mandokhail, and Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan, along with the Federal Minister for Communications, Secretary Communications, and senior officials of the Ministry.