Mansehra to Jalkhand: ‘Motorway project to serve as alternative to Karakoram Highway’

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan has said that the proposed motorway project from Mansehra, Naran, Kaghan, and Babusar Top to Jalkhand (MNJ) would serve as an alternative to the Karakoram Highway.

The federal minister made this statement during his meeting with Governor of Gilgit-Baltistan Syed Mehdi Shah on Thursday. Abdul Aleem Khan said that the motorway would not only serve as an alternative to the Karakoram Highway but also reduce travel distance by 100 kilometres. He added that by facilitating easier travel and promoting tourism, the project would be a game-changer for the region.

During the meeting, matters of mutual interest — particularly infrastructure development and improvement of road networks — were discussed in detail. Both leaders expressed satisfaction over Pakistan’s recent diplomatic achievements and congratulated each other. The governor highlighted various issues related to the communications sector in Gilgit-Baltistan. In response, Abdul Aleem Khan assured full cooperation and promised the provision of Emergency Service 1122 on highways in the region. He further stated that the government aims to improve roads in tourist areas on a priority basis to attract more visitors, thereby creating employment and business opportunities for local communities.

He reiterated the commitment to ensuring uniform development across the country and prioritizing the construction of quality road infrastructure in all regions, especially in the Northern Areas.

The G-B governor expressed satisfaction with the performance of the National Highway Authority and appreciated the federal minister’s support for the development of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026