Revenue target for NHA more than doubled, says minister
LAHORE: Federal Minister for Communication Abdul Aleem Khan says that the revenue target for National Highway Authority (NHA) for the ongoing fiscal year has been increased from Rs66 billion to Rs160 billion and its expenditures have also been capped at Rs50 billion. He said this while speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Saturday. The minister said that the…
Federal Minister for Communication Abdul Aleem Khan announced that the revenue target for the National Highway Authority (NHA) has been more than doubled from Rs66 billion to Rs160 billion for the current fiscal year. Khan made the announcement during a speech at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Saturday. The minister also capped the NHA's expenditures at Rs50 billion.
Khan revealed plans to widen the Lahore-Sialkot Motorway to six lanes, utilizing an additional Rs10 billion from NHA-generated revenues. He emphasized that the government is striving to enhance road infrastructure nationwide through self-generated resources, with the new revenue to be allocated for constructing new roads and improving existing infrastructure.
The minister provided details on two significant highway projects: the Lahore-Khyber Motorway, expected to be completed by 2027, and the Balochistan Expressway, which aims to improve access to remote areas and reduce associated risks from dangerous roads and frequent accidents. Khan also highlighted that a significant portion of the NHA's income is currently allocated to salaries, routine maintenance, repairs, and emergency rehabilitation of roads and bridges damaged by floods.
Regarding development funds, Khan mentioned the Rs224 billion allocated for ongoing projects under the 2024 public sector development programme (PSDP), with a major share intended for national highway projects in Balochistan. He addressed business concerns by presenting proposals to the prime minister for easing the doing business process to alleviate difficulties faced by the industrial sector. Khan called upon banks to consider rescheduling loans for industrialists impacted by high interest rates.
Khan underscored Pakistan's strategic geographical location, suggesting that improved roads and trade corridors could enhance the country's role in regional commerce and transit trade. He spoke at the LCCI event, where LCCI President Ali Hussam Asghar urged the government to amend business-related laws to make them more business-friendly.
Asghar emphasized the importance of regulatory enforcement focusing on improving compliance rather than hindering business activities, stressing that higher toll charges directly raise freight and transportation costs, ultimately affecting business competitiveness.
Written by urgent.news from Dawn - Pakistan's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
