Federal Minister for Communications, Abdul Aleem Khan, has issued strict directives to retrieve all illegally occupied state land belonging to the National Highway Authority (NHA), declaring a zero-tolerance policy against land grabbers.
"Not a single inch of NHA land should remain under illegal occupation anywhere in the country," the Minister asserted while chairing a high-level meeting of the National Highway Authority today.
The meeting was attended by the Federal Secretary for Communications, Chairman NHA, and senior management officials who provided detailed briefings on nationwide development projects.
Expressing concern over the dilapidated condition of National Highway N-5, Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan ordered its immediate restoration and mandated the swift completion of patch-work on the Lahore–Gujranwala section of the GT Road.
Reviewing the progress of key infrastructure developments, the Minister was informed that 21 percent of work on the Sambrial–Kharian Motorway (M-12) has been completed. Taking notice of the progress, he announced that the M-12 project shall be be completed six months ahead of its original target date in 2028. He also reviewed the expansion of the Faisalabad–Pindi Bhattian Motorway (M-4) and the 40 km Rawalpindi–Hassan Abdal highway, the 70 km Ranipur–Rohri section, and the 31 km Nowshera–Peshawar Road on N5 that are to be restored in collaboration with Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). Furthermore, he directed NHA officials to resolve all pending departmental matters related to the Kharian–Rawalpindi Motorway under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model without delay.
To enhance commuter safety and convenience, Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan directed that proper rest areas be established at designated intervals across all highways and motorways. To ensure strict compliance and quality maintenance, the Minister directed the appointment of a dedicated General Manager tasked exclusively with supervising, upgrading, and reporting on rest areas nationwide. He also emphasized aesthetic enhancements, ordering top-tier landscaping and green belts along motorway center medians.
Announcing an intensive field inspection schedule, the Minister revealed he will visit Faisalabad this week for on-site reviews, followed by inspections of the Layyah–Taunsa, Multan–Mianwali, and Lodhran–Multan highway projects.
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