ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan chaired a meeting regarding the implementation of axle load management and directed that it should be strictly implemented on all motorways and national highways across the country in collaboration with provincial governments.

Presiding over a meeting, the minister received a detailed briefing on the enforcement of axle load regulations nationwide.

Inspector General, National Highways & Motorway Police (NHMP) briefed the federal minister, saying that axle load management on motorways was comparatively satisfactory but requires further reinforcement across national highways. Detailed assessments regarding infrastructure damage caused by vehicle overloading were also presented.

Emphasising zero tolerance for overloading, the minister directed that strict mechanisms be enforced to ensure axle load limits were strictly adhered to. He instructed the National Highway and Motorway Police, traffic police and the National Highway Authority (NHA) to maintain round-the-clock vigilance at all weigh stations.

To ensure strict compliance, the minister directed the establishment of a transparent and comprehensive accountability system to monitor weigh stations and eliminate enforcement loopholes.

He stressed that heavy financial penalties must be imposed on violators to remove any economic incentive for truck owners to exceed permissible loads.

Furthermore, the minister emphasised the need for a joint strategy with provincial transport departments to address enforcement challenges across provincial boundaries, alongside the immediate rectification of existing statutory gaps within the legal framework.

To streamline these execution plans, a dedicated working group will be constituted under the chairmanship of the secretary for communications.

The meeting was attended by Secretary Communications Ali Sher Mahsood, DG Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) Major General Abdul Sami, DG National Logistics Cell (NLC) Major General Rao Farrukh, Chairman NHA Captain (Rtd) Asadullah Khan and IG NHMP Sultan Ahmad Chaudhry. Representatives from provincial transport departments and key industry stakeholders were also present and submitted their policy recommendations during the session.

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2026