ISLAMABAD: The National Highway Authority (NHA) has decided to commence work on the expansion of the Lahore-Sialkot Motorway, as the existing road will be extended from a two-lane to a three-lane facility.
The decision was taken on Wednesday during a high-level meeting of the NHA, which was chaired by Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan. The meeting also took some other key decisions regarding the improvement of the country’s motorway network.
During the meeting, it was formally decided to commence work on expanding the Lahore-Sialkot Motorway from a two-lane to a three-lane facility. Similarly, the minister issued directives to accelerate construction on the Sialkot-Kharian and Islamabad Motorway, confirming that these routes will also be developed as three-lane dual carriageways.
Abdul Aleem Khan emphasised a new policy standard, stating that no future motorway project would be constructed with fewer than three lanes on each side, totalling a six-lane configuration.
He underscored that infrastructure planning must proactively address the nation’s future travel requirements rather than just current demand.
He further instructed the NHA to expedite work on the Sialkot-Rawalpindi Motorway in collaboration with the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO). He noted that the completion of this vital link would significantly reduce the traffic burden on the M-2 and drastically improve the travel experience between Lahore and Islamabad.
By providing a more direct route, the distance between the two major cities will be reduced by approximately 100 kilometers, saving commuters at least one hour of travel time, he added.
In a move to bolster religious tourism, the meeting also reviewed plans to link Kartarpur and Nankana Sahib directly to the Motorway network. These new highways will also feature three lanes and high-standard safety fencing to ensure secure and efficient transit for pilgrims.
Highlighting the economic potential of religious tourism, Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan remarked that these initiatives would encourage a large influx of the Sikh community from Europe, North America, and beyond. To accommodate these visitors, the Government envisions the development of 3, 4, and 5-star hotels alongside modern shopping malls near these holy sites.
The minister pointed out that such infrastructure presents a massive opportunity for foreign investment in the hospitality sector.
The Minister directed the NHA to organise investment roadshows in the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, and Europe to attract international investors. Abdul Aleem Khan concluded that by combining superior communication infrastructure with world-class facilities, Pakistan would effectively project a “soft image” to the global community.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026