Islamabad:Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the implementation of a third-party audit for all ongoing projects of the National Highway Authority (NHA). This directive was made during a meeting concerning NHA matters held in Islamabad.
According to Radio Pakistan, the Prime Minister emphasized the need to develop a strategy for constructing national highways, motorways, and expressways through public-private partnerships. He highlighted the significance of improving transportation infrastructure for the country's development and prosperity, noting the government's priority to connect remote areas, enhance travel facilities, and create business and employment opportunities.
The meeting revealed that NHA's revenue increased from 109 billion rupees to 130 billion rupees in the last fiscal year and is expected to reach 160 billion rupees in the current fiscal year. Several projects are being financed by NHA's own revenues, including the Sialkot-Kharian Motorway (M-12), Kharian-Rawalpindi Motorway (M-13), Peshawar Northern Bypass, and others.
It was noted that work on the Pakistan Expressway (N-25) is progressing swiftly, and sixteen projects are nearing completion, soon ready for inauguration. These include upgrades and remodels of various sections of GT Road (N-5) and other significant road projects.
The meeting also discussed the upcoming foundation laying for several projects, such as the Kharian-Rawalpindi Motorway (M-13) and Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway (M-6), among others. The Sialkot-Kharian Motorway (M-12) and Kharian-Rawalpindi Motorway (M-13) are being constructed under public-private partnerships.
Additionally, a Guru Nanak Expressway project is under consideration to connect Sikh religious sites like Kartarpur and Nankana Sahib, and a proposed Mansehra-Chilas Expressway via Naran aims to reduce the distance between Mansehra and Chilas by 146 kilometers.