In a decisive high-level review meeting of the National Highway Authority (NHA), Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan moved to align national infrastructure goals with immediate public relief. Acting on the special directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Minister used the session to officially rescind the 25% quarterly increase in toll taxes, freezing all adjustments for the 2025-26 fiscal year. During the same strategic briefing, the Minister transitioned to the government's long-term vision, declaring the Karachi Port-Hyderabad M-10 Motorway as the "economic lifeline" of Pakistan.
?The Minister emphasized that the M-10 will be an expansive 8-lane project, essential for strengthening port connectivity and decongesting urban heavy traffic. To ensure the highest standards, he directed the NHA to immediately engage international consultants and top-tier engineers for feasibility studies and preliminary work. To further modernize the travel experience and stimulate local trade, the project will include modern rest areas and shopping facilities developed every 10 kilometers along the motorway.
?During the session, Minister Aleem Khan dismissed claims of the NHA’s financial instability as a "misleading narrative," asserting that the authority is strictly focused on sustainable and high-standard projects. The meeting also highlighted significant international support, noting that the OPEC Fund for International Development recently approved a 230 million dollar loan for Section 3 of the Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway. The Minister concluded by stressing that all resources must be utilized transparently to complete the M-10 project within a projected two-year timeframe, ensuring maximum benefit for the common citizen.
