Rawalpindi: In a significant development, Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan has mandated the National Highway Authority (NHA) to upgrade the Sialkot-Rawalpindi Motorway from four to six lanes to meet the anticipated traffic needs for the next 50 years.

According to Zameen.Com, the directive issued on July 12 includes a series of infrastructure enhancements. Minister Khan emphasized the importance of adapting to Pakistan’s population growth and ensuring that future transportation networks are robust and transparent. He has ordered the implementation of live cameras at all construction sites to facilitate real-time monitoring and maintain transparency throughout the development process.

The minister also stressed the economic implications of improved road networks, advocating for a focus on routes that bolster national economic growth. He called for a phased construction approach for the PKR 150 billion N25 highway project in Baluchistan, highlighting the need for third-party evaluations to ensure cost-effective road maintenance and construction strategies.

In addition to these directives, Minister Khan has instructed the NHA to work closely with the government of Gilgit-Baltistan to address ongoing challenges in communication infrastructure, pointing to the crucial role efficient transport networks play across the country.