Aleem informs FCCI members: NHA being restructured under new business model

FAISALABAD: The National Highway Authority (NHA) is being restructured under a new business model that will enable it to generate its own financial resources and rebuild all major highways across the country over the next ten years.

Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan stated this while addressing a gathering of businessmen and industrialists at the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI). He said work was underway to expand the Pindi Bhattian–Faisalabad Motorway from four to six lanes, adding that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was expected to inaugurate the project in December.

The minister said that when he took charge of the ministry two and a half years ago, the NHA’s annual revenue stood at Rs66 billion, which had increased to Rs160 billion within a year. He added that the expansion of the M-4 Motorway was being financed through these internally generated resources, while several other road projects would also be undertaken using the same funds.

He pointed out that Rs230 billion had been allocated to the NHA under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), but the authority actually received only Rs160 billion. Of this amount, Rs112 billion was spent on road projects in Balochistan. He said that approximately Rs3,000 billion would be required to complete the NHA’s 66 ongoing and planned projects.

Explaining the new business model, Abdul Aleem Khan said the NHA was focusing on generating its own resources to improve the country’s road infrastructure and connectivity. He disclosed that the six-lining of the M-4 Motorway would cost approximately Rs15 billion, which would be financed entirely from the NHA’s own resources.

The minister acknowledged that motorway facilities, particularly quality rest areas and washrooms, had remained inadequate across the country. He announced that modern rest areas would be established at intervals of every 20 to 25 kilometres before June next year. Fruit-bearing trees would also be planted along motorways, according to the climate and agricultural suitability of each region. For instance, kinnow trees would be planted near Sargodha and mango trees in the Multan region.

He said land would be leased to interested parties for plantation without charging any rent. However, once the trees started producing fruit, a mechanism would be introduced to ensure financial benefits for both the plantation partners and the NHA. Referring to the Gilgit-Skardu Road, which stretches approximately 160 to 180 kilometres, he said protective shelters were being constructed to safeguard the road against landslides.

He also discussed the Kartarpur and Nankana Sahib Road projects, stating that the Sikh community would bear the entire construction cost of the road, while international-standard hotels would also be developed in Nankana Sahib.

Discussing other infrastructure projects, he said Satiana Road was owned by the Punjab government, but the federal government would contribute wherever its support was required.

Responding to a question, the minister admitted that Pakistan Post was currently operating at a loss. However, he said a business plan was being developed to revive the organisation, as approximately 22,000 families were associated with it.

FCCI President highlights connectivity and business community’s concerns.

Earlier, FCCI President Arif Ehsan Malik welcomed Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan to the chamber and said that the FCCI was one of the city’s leading business organisations, representing more than 128 trade bodies and over 20,000 members. He said the chamber was serving the business community through regular, independent and transparent elections in accordance with democratic traditions.

Welcoming the commencement of work on the Pindi Bhattian Interchange project, he thanked the federal minister and urged him to ensure its completion by the end of December to reduce travelling time and distance between Faisalabad and other parts of the country. He also emphasised the need to construct an interchange connecting Satiana Road with the M-3 Motorway, describing it as essential for promoting industrial and commercial activities.

Arif Ehsan Malik said that a recycling industry was already operating in the Satiana Road area, while a proposal was under consideration to develop the region as Pakistan’s first “Circular City”. The initiative was expected to attract foreign investors and organisations associated with the European Green Deal, making improved road connectivity indispensable.

The FCCI president stressed that efficient and uninterrupted access to seaports was vital for the transportation of Faisalabad’s imports and exports. He pointed out that transport strikes in the past had kept freight vehicles stranded for several days, causing substantial losses to national exports. He proposed a clear policy and special arrangements to ensure the uninterrupted movement of export consignments during such situations.

He also called for proper maintenance of safety barriers along motorways, improved plantation and transparency in toll tax policies. He said road users and transporters should be informed well in advance before any increase in toll charges so that they could plan their operational expenses accordingly. Regarding axle-load regulations, he proposed establishing an effective weighing system at motorway entry points to ensure that overloaded vehicles were required to offload excess weight before being allowed to proceed.

Highlighting the issue of smog caused by the burning of crop residues near motorways, he suggested that the relevant NHA staff identify such locations and share the information with concerned authorities for appropriate action against violators. He said this would improve motorway safety and support the government’s efforts to control smog.

Arif Ehsan Malik also requested the federal minister to appoint a focal person in the Ministry of Communications for regular coordination with the FCCI, enabling the business community’s suggestions, complaints and feedback to reach the relevant authorities promptly. He further stressed the need to improve motorway helpline so that travellers could receive timely information about road closures, reopening and weather conditions.

Former President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Mian Muhammad Idrees, said that Pakistan currently enjoyed good connectivity. However, he proposed establishing a toll plaza on Satiana Road, which, he said, would help reduce the distance between Faisalabad and Lahore. He added that certain issues between the Punjab and federal governments needed to be resolved to move the proposal forward.

FCCI Group Leader and former president Mian Javed Iqbal described the minister’s address as highly encouraging at a time when the business community was facing an economic slowdown. He said the minister’s vision presented a promising picture of Pakistan’s future. Appreciating the completion of the M-4 project, he said Abdul Aleem Khan had set a commendable example and urged him to provide direct connectivity between Satiana Road and the M-3 Motorway. He requested the minister to arrange a joint meeting with the Punjab government or take other necessary steps to resolve the issue.

Mian Javed Iqbal also proposed making motorway-adjacent land available to the private sector for installing solar panels. He said the initiative could help meet the country’s energy requirements while generating additional revenue for the NHA. Earlier, a question-and-answer session was held in which former FCCI president Rana Muhammad Sikandar Azam Khan, Syed Zia Alamdar Hussain, Rehan Naseem Bharara, Engineer Rizwan Ashraf, Mian Tanveer Riaz and Sanaullah Niazi participated.

At the conclusion, FCCI Vice President Muhammad Yaseen presented a vote of thanks to the guests. Mian Muhammad Idrees, along with FCCI President Arif Ehsan Malik and Mian Javed Iqbal, presented an honorary shield to Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan.

The minister also joined FCCI members for a group photograph and recorded his remarks in the visitors’ book. FCCI Senior Vice President Mian Muhammad Saeed was also present on the occasion.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026