A dignified ceremony was held at the Motorway Police Headquarters Auditorium to observe Police Martyrs' Day (Youm-e-Shuhada-e-Police). Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan attended the event as the Chief Guest alongside Inspector General (IG) Motorway Police Sultan Ahmad Chaudhry. Upon arrival, the Federal Minister and IG Motorway Police laid floral wreaths at the Martyrs' Memorial (Yadgar-e-Shuhada) and offered Fateha to honor the supreme sacrifices of the fallen heroes.
Addressing the gathering, Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan stated that August 4th marks a crucial day in the country's national history. Paying rich tribute to all police martyrs, he emphasized that the historic martyrdom of Safwat Ghayoor remains a beacon of guidance for all security forces. He added that the sacrifices of all martyrs, including 59 brave officers of the Motorway Police, are unforgettable, praising the force as a role model for the entire nation. To safeguard patrolling officers, Abdul Aleem Khan announced that modern police stations, dedicated parking facilities, and emergency ambulance services are being established in close proximity to toll plazas. Highlighting the financial self-reliance and organizational growth of the National Highway Authority (NHA), Abdul Aleem Khan highlighted that NHA revenue has doubled from PKR 66 billion in 2024 to over PKR 127 billion in 2026. He underscored that complete financial independence has enabled Pakistan to expand its national highway and motorway network using indigenous resources, entirely free from outside dependence.
Federal Minister outlined key ongoing and prospective infrastructure initiatives expanding across Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan. The Murree Expressway (IMDC) extension up to Muzaffarabad will provide international-standard travel facilities to the public while the MNJC Motorway will serve as an ideal alternative to the Karakoram Highway (KKH), strengthening strategic connectivity with China. Additionally, the Sialkot-Kharian-Rawalpindi Highway will shorten the distance between Islamabad and Lahore by 100 kilometers and save over an hour of travel time. In Karachi, the M-10 and Lyari Expressway continue to streamline trade freight from Karachi Port, while physical work on the M-6 motorway will commence shortly. Furthermore, construction on the "Guru Nanak Expressway" connecting Kartarpur and Nankana Sahib is underway to promote religious tourism and interfaith harmony for the global Sikh community. Infrastructure work is also actively progressing on tourist routes in Gilgit, while the N-25 highway is targeted for completion next year. In Balochistan, M-8 motorway projects will significantly bolster regional connectivity and cross-border trade with Iran.
Speaking at the event, IG Motorway Police Sultan Ahmad Chaudhry paid rich tributes to the sacrifices of the martyrs and reiterated the department's firm resolve, stating that the Motorway Police will always stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the families of the martyrs and ensure they are never left alone.
