Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan has announced plans for a new highway connecting Kharian with Rawalpindi, which is expected to reduce the travel distance between Lahore and Rawalpindi by approximately 100 kilometres. The project is also expected to reduce travel time between Lahore and Islamabad from three and a half hours to around two and a half hours.
According to the minister, the proposed highway will connect major Punjab cities, including Gujranwala, Gujrat, Lalamusa, Kharian, and Jhelum, improving regional connectivity for commuters and transporters. He shared the details while speaking at the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI).
The minister also announced several other road infrastructure projects, including the expansion of the Lahore-Sialkot Motorway to six lanes and plans for new highways connecting Lahore with Gujranwala and Sahiwal. The government is also planning to upgrade the Grand Trunk (GT) Road into a six-lane highway.
Meanwhile, the Pindi Bhattian Motorway is being developed at a cost of Rs. 15 billion, while Rs. 5 billion has been allocated for remodelling T-Chowk. Work is also underway to redesign Chungi No. 26 near Islamabad Airport.
Aleem Khan said the National Highway Authority (NHA) had increased its annual revenue by Rs. 100 billion over the past year. The authority is also pursuing major projects, including the Karachi-Sukkur Motorway and an eight-lane motorway connecting Karachi Port with a dedicated route for container traffic.
The minister added that the ministry requires Rs. 3 trillion to complete its 66 development projects aimed at improving Pakistan’s road network and supporting economic activity.
