The federal government has approved a 70-kilometre extension of the Murree Expressway to Muzaffarabad, a move aimed at improving regional connectivity and providing modern transport infrastructure for residents of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
The decision was made during a special meeting of the National Highway Authority (NHA) chaired by Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan.
Speaking at the meeting, the minister said the proposed Muzaffarabad Expressway would provide residents of AJK with travel facilities comparable to those available on the Murree Expressway. The project is expected to reduce travel time, improve road safety, and facilitate smoother transportation between Punjab and Azad Kashmir.
During the session, Abdul Aleem Khan directed the NHA to prioritize the completion of ongoing development projects before initiating new schemes. He instructed the authority to ensure the timely completion of 25 priority infrastructure projects during the current fiscal year.
The communications minister also outlined his vision of strengthening the NHA’s financial performance, expressing the goal of transforming the authority into a self-sustaining organization capable of generating Rs300 billion to Rs400 billion in annual revenue through improved operational efficiency and infrastructure development.
The Murree Expressway extension is expected to boost tourism, improve trade and travel links, and enhance access to key destinations in Azad Jammu and Kashmir once completed.
