Four NHA Projects Planned Under Public-Private Partnership

The National Highway Authority (NHA) and the Privatisation Commission have agreed to bring four projects under a public-private partnership (PPP) framework in the initial phase, aiming to improve the NHA’s financial autonomy and expand infrastructure development. The decision was taken at a meeting in Islamabad chaired by Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan and attended by the PM’s Adviser on Privatisation Muhammad Ali.

Projects

• A 169-kilometre section of the M-10 Motorway

• The Mansehra-Naran-Jhalkand-Chilas motorway

• The Guru Nanak Expressway, which Aleem Khan said could promote religious tourism among the Sikh community

NHA Targets

Aleem Khan said he aims to turn the NHA into an organisation valued between Rs500 billion and Rs1 trillion, and directed officials to prepare a comprehensive business plan. He called the rise in NHA revenue encouraging and said the government intends to reduce reliance on development programmes and government funding.

Other Points

• The Sialkot-Kharian Motorway (M-12) is already being built through a PPP.

• The meeting also considered extending the Murree Expressway towards Kashmir to promote tourism and connectivity.

• Adviser Muhammad Ali pledged full cooperation, and both sides will reconvene after one week to review progress.