Federal Minister for Communications, Privatization and Board of Investment Abdul Aleem Khan has said that in future, no motorway will be constructed with less than 6 lanes at two-way while the Motorways from Karachi to Sukkhar and Sialkot, Kharian to Islamabad will be the top priority of the National Highway Authority. He further directed that these two Motorways should also be constructed in at least three lanes on one side so that these can fulfill the needs of the future. These views were expressed by Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan in the departmental briefing of National Highway Authority where Chairman NHA, Federal Secretary Communications and other senior officers were present. Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan observed that a network of high-quality roads and highways is being laid in the country, National Highway Authority should collect maximum revenue by constructing toll plaza for heavy traffic, public and private transport. He said that to strictly ensure the restriction of axle load on these roads and motorways which should not be violated at all. Abdul Aleem Khan further said that it is inevitable to dismiss the corrupt and incompetent staff from the National Highway Authority. He further said that in those areas where there are problems in revenue collection, it can be solved by handing over the toll collection to the private sector. Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan directed that every year the National Highway Authority should set its annual revenue targets which will surely not only increase the efficiency and revenue of this Institution but also bring a clear and positive difference. Federal Minister for Communications said that only taking huge funds from the Government and other Institutions and spending them is not a expertise but the available resources, professional skills and manpower have to be utilized by adopting a policy of self-reliance while NHA should be a financially stable and independent entity in the future. Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan said that improving the means of transportation is one of our priorities while creating a business model compatible with modern requirements has become inevitable as well. By introducing a new vision in NHA, we should not only enhance our capacity globally by offering our expert services to other countries but also earn a significant amount of foreign exchange from it which speaks volumes for Pakistani institutions, he added. Chairman National Highway Authority while giving a briefing to Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan told that in the current situation it is a bitter reality that only 13% of toll tax is being collected from 57% of NHA highways which is very less while the integrated plan is a dire need which can increase revenue manifold. He further informed that the process of refinement has been started in the light of the instructions of the Federal Minister for Communication and measures are being proposed for short and long term policy, in this regard.
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