Islamabad,(Parliament Times): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday commended Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan and his team for significantly increasing the revenue of the National Highway Authority (NHA), while also improving safety measures, service areas and overall management of the country’s motorways and highways.
The prime minister expressed these remarks while chairing a meeting to review the performance of the National Highway Authority.
During the briefing, participants were informed that the authority’s revenue increased from Rs66.8 billion in 2024 to Rs109 billion in the fiscal year 2025, reflecting a 63 percent rise. Officials said the improvement was achieved through better toll tax collection and administrative reforms implemented under the prime minister’s directives.
The prime minister noted that the transparent and open auction of toll plazas was a positive step and instructed authorities to maintain the highest quality standards in the repair and maintenance of motorways.
The meeting was also told that the use of M-Tag on motorways rose significantly from 20 percent in 2024 to 81 percent in 2025, which has helped streamline traffic flow and toll collection.
Officials further informed the meeting that compliance with axle load limits had reached 90 percent on highways and 95 percent on motorways, helping reduce road accidents, minimise stress on infrastructure and extend the lifespan of roads.
Participants were also told that alongside the improvement of existing service areas on motorways, new service areas are being developed on national highways to facilitate travellers.
The prime minister was informed that an air ambulance service will be launched on motorways later this year, while Rescue 1122 services are already available at all motorway interchanges around the clock.
The meeting also reviewed several completed infrastructure projects, including the upgradation of Lyari Expressway, Thokar Niaz Baig (N-5), and the Islamabad–Murree Expressway, which were completed through NHA’s own budget.
Appreciating the efforts of the communications ministry, the prime minister directed that all ongoing infrastructure projects be completed within their stipulated timelines.
The meeting was attended by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan, and other senior government officials.