ISLAMABAD: The National Highway Authority (NHA) plans to advance four major infrastructure proposals under the public-private partnership (PPP) model as the government looks to attract private investment and strengthen the authority’s financial position.
The decision was discussed at a meeting in Islamabad chaired by Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan. Participants reviewed potential projects and agreed that the NHA should prepare business plans to assess their feasibility and investment prospects.
The proposed initiatives include a 169-kilometre section of the M-10 Motorway and a road link connecting Mansehra, Naran, Jalkhad, and Chilas with the Chinese border. The development of the Guru Nanak Expressway, intended to facilitate Sikh pilgrims, was also included in the discussions.
Officials further considered extending the Murree Expressway towards Kashmir, which could improve regional connectivity if the proposal advances.
Abdul Aleem Khan directed the NHA to prepare detailed business plans for the proposed schemes. He also emphasised the importance of improving the authority’s financial independence through investment arrangements that involve the private sector.
Muhammad Ali, the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Privatisation, assured the meeting of his cooperation in moving the proposals forward. Participants agreed to complete the initial preparatory work within one week and convene another meeting to review progress.
The proposed public-private partnership projects could create opportunities for private investment in Pakistan’s transport infrastructure. However, the initiatives remain at the planning stage, and further feasibility work and official decisions will determine their implementation.
