Pakistan Seeks Investment From International Sikh Community for Guru Nanak Expressway

The Pakistani federal government has reached out to Sikh communities residing in the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States, seeking investment in the proposed Guru Nanak Expressway. Federal Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan, speaking at a National Highway Authority (NHA) gathering, emphasized that the expressway would adhere to international standards and enhance access to sites of religious and historical significance to Sikhs.

He highlighted the project as a potential attractive investment, given its religious, historical, and economic importance.

The invitation is aimed at drawing foreign capital for the ambitious venture. However, no specific investment figures or construction schedule have been disclosed. The meeting also addressed several other highway initiatives, such as the Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhand-Chilas route. Aleem Khan mandated the NHA to carry out a feasibility study for the 123-kilometer Mansehra-Naran segment, positioning it as a model project.

The minister also underlined that the proposed three-lane highway could bolster tourism and bolster road links with China.

Additionally, Aleem Khan ordered the completion of the Multan-Muzaffargarh-Mianwali highway within a fortnight and accelerated ongoing projects without compromising road safety. Safety barriers were sanctioned for the expansion of the Pindi Bhattian-Faisalabad segment of the M-4 motorway. The minister further instructed that forthcoming highways must incorporate rest areas and washrooms on both sides, alongside mandatory green belts and landscaping, to ensure safer and more comfortable travel experiences.