The Federal Minister for Communications has directed that new toll plazas be established across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province to enhance revenue collection on highways and motorways within the province.
He was chairing a meeting where concerned members from the National Highway Authority (NHA) briefed the Minister regarding periodic works, routine maintenance, and pending financial liabilities at the Ministry of Communications, Islamabad. During the meeting, approval of pending liabilities for various projects was also sought.
The Minister directed the Secretary Communications to take the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa into confidence and formally communicate with the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary KPK regarding the establishment of new toll plazas across highways and motorways in the province.
The Minister stated that revenue collection is essential for the continuation of developmental projects and maintenance activities. He emphasized that the revenue generated from these toll plazas will be reinvested in road network across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, ensuring that the province directly benefits from the funds collected within its jurisdiction—especially from tourism-related traffic coming from all over Pakistan.
The Minister further directed the Secretary Communications to personally visit projects with pending liabilities to assess whether approvals should be granted. He instructed that all projects with pending liabilities exceeding one crore rupees (10 million rupees) shall be physically verified by the Secretary Communications and his team before approvals are granted. Payments shall only be made after thorough physical inspection.
Responding to reports of vandalism at certain toll plazas, the Minister made it clear that any such acts of damaging toll facilities or government property will not be tolerated. He directed NHA officials to take immediate and strict legal action against those involved, including the registration of FIRs to deter future incidents.
The Minister further added that he would not allow routine maintenance projects, as such projects often enable corruption. He stressed that officials at all levels must curb corrupt practices to protect the government exchequer. It is not enough, he noted, for one official to be upright while allowing subordinates to continue corrupt practices.
Secretary Communications Mr. Ali Sher Mehsud and other senior officials were also present during the meeting.
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