• Calls for a uniform outsourcing policy with reviews every three months
• Targets Rs500bn annual revenue; Rs50bn increase recorded last year

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan is planning to lease out precious right-of-way (RoW) of motorways and national highways to “generate funds”.

“A coordinated and uniform policy should also be implemented for the commercial use of NHA (National Highway Authority) land on both sides of motorways and national highways, which should be outsourced and reviewed every three months,” the minister was quoted as saying in an official press release issued by the NHA after he presided over a meeting on the authority’s affairs.

Several years ago, the then management of the NHA had also leased out RoW of the many motorways, including the M2 (Islamabad-Lahore Motorway), after which a mashroom growth of commercial outlets could be witnessed in rest areas along the road.

The communication minister directed the NHA to ensure an integrated audit system, improve financial discipline, and adopt fundamental reforms aimed at transforming the organisation into a profitable, self-sustaining institution with an annual revenue target of Rs500 billion.

Chairing a high-level meeting at the NHA Headquarters, the minister expressed satisfaction over an unprecedented increase of Rs50bn in NHA’s own resources within the past year, terming it a historic milestone, adding that the authority would continue to enhance revenue each year.

He said the release of funds in the name of patchwork and repair was being stopped, as such funds were often misused for corruption.

“Now, instead of repairing in pieces, new construction of the roads will be undertaken so that it can have long-term benefits and proper utilisation of funds,” he added.

The minister further said the NHA should be restructured on the pattern of the corporate sector, seek support from qualified professionals from the private sector, and offer them attractive packages.

He stated that the performance of NHA officers would have to be evaluated against assigned targets, and those who met the targets would be rewarded with cash incentives.

He also ordered the permanent removal of encroachments on NHA

land and directed officials to focus resources and attention on the implementation of new projects, ensuring their timely completion.

The federal secretary for communications and the NHA chairman briefed the meeting on progress regarding the tasks assigned by the minister and the infrastructure development work completed so far.

Published in Dawn, September 27th, 2025