ISLAMABAD, Oct 24 (APP):Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan on Saturday said the National Highway Authority (NHA) had increased its annual revenue from Rs66 billion to Rs160 billion and was undertaking highway, motorway and expressway projects using its own resources.
Addressing the business community at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), he said the government had laid the groundwork over the past two and a half years to strengthen the NHA financially and improve its institutional performance.
Abdul Aleem Khan said that a modern highway network will help ensure national development and promote commercial activities across the country.
Highlighting major achievements of the Ministry of Communications, the minister told that work was progressing rapidly on the expansion of the Faisalabad Motorway, Lodhran Expressway and the N-25 Pakistan Expressway in Balochistan.
Aleem Khan recalled that when he assumed charge of the Ministry 2.5 years ago, the department did not even have Rs1 billion available from its own resources. He said that, by the grace of Allah Almighty, several projects had now been launched across the country without relying on Government funding. He said work was underway on the Sambrial–Kharian Motorway which would reduce the distance between Lahore and Islamabad by 100 kilometres and save approximately one hour of travel time while also directly benefiting communities along the route. Similarly, construction work on the Sukkur–Karachi Motorway is scheduled to begin next month. The motorway will comprise three sections and will be connected to Karachi Port.
The minister informed the business community that the NHA was using 70 percent of its total revenue only in Balochistan. He added that, to achieve savings and improve efficiency, the authority’s annual expenditure had been capped at Rs.50 billion instead of Rs.66 billion. He explained that 66 projects, with an estimated cost of Rs.3,000 billion, required for pending construction while we are increasing the authority’s own revenue had become essential to make these projects possible.
He said that the NHA had been put on a path towards financial stability, institutional practices had been transformed and new highways were now being constructed.
During his address at the Lahore Chamber, the minister said that the renovation and beautification of the Islamabad–Murree Expressway had already been successfully completed during his tenure. He added that this Expressway would be extended to Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir with similar standards. He further stated that the government intended to upgrade the Mansehra–Naran–Jalkhad–Chilas Road into a motorway and connect it to China. This project, he said, would also promote trade with other countries, as well.
Upon his arrival at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, President Ali Hassam Asghar and others warmly welcome him and presented a special documentary highlighting Abdul Aleem Khan’s political and philanthropic contributions. The documentary was warmly appreciated by the audience.
Addressing the gathering, Abdul Aleem Khan said that being a Member of the Chamber was an honour for him and that he had come among his own family. He congratulated newly elected President Ali Hassam Asghar and other office-bearers and assured them of his full cooperation in resolving any issues relating to the National Highway Authority and the Ministry of Communications.
The minister also announced that he would soon visit the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce to share the good news regarding the completion of the expansion of the Faisalabad Pindi Bhattian Motorway.
Responding to a question, Abdul Aleem Khan urged the Business Community to step forward in the national interest despite the challenges and support ongoing efforts to improve motorway safety by discouraging speeding and overloading. He said that although his position in public office was temporary, he was determined to contribute as much as possible to securing a better future for the country.
Abdul Aleem Khan assured the Business Community that no project would be undertaken by his Ministry that was unsuitable for the business sector. He added that extensive meetings had recently been held to address the concerns of Goods Transporters and that these discussions were producing positive results.
During the session at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ijaz Ghori and Riaz Tajik highlighted issues concerning Goods Transportation while Hamid Raza presented the vote of thanks. Senior Vice President Sardar Usman Ghani, Vice President Khadim Hussain, Abu Zar Shad, Malik Zaman Naseeb, Chaudhry Muhammad Amjad and Member of the Punjab Provincial Assembly Muhammad Shoaib Siddiqui also attended the event.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
