Federal Minister for Board of Investment, Communications, and Privatization Abdul Aleem Khan chaired a significant meeting to address road safety, emergency services, and infrastructure development across the country.
During the meeting, the minister directed the National Highway Authority (NHA) to devise a comprehensive Safety and Security Plan for all motorways and highways, including GT Road. He emphasized the importance of immediate response measures in case of accidents, including the availability of rescue helicopters across all provinces.
“Saving lives is our top priority,” stated Abdul Aleem Khan, instructing authorities to provide ambulances on the pattern of the Rescue 1122 service. He further directed the NHA to identify locations for emergency service centers from Karachi to Peshawar and in Balochistan.
The minister set a one-week deadline for the NHA to prepare an emergency action plan. He also announced strict enforcement of axle load limits on highways, introducing a 1,000% increase in fines for violations to ensure compliance.
“We will adopt a zero-tolerance policy against overloading. No leniency will be tolerated,” said the federal minister. He also directed the NHA to make all roads barrier-free, similar to the Lahore-Sialkot Motorway.
In addition, Abdul Aleem Khan instructed the launch of an effective media campaign on both print and electronic platforms to raise public awareness about road safety.
Highlighting the importance of human lives, the minister said, “The safety of everyone traveling on motorways and highways is extremely important to us.” He ordered action against vehicles causing accidents and called for immediate patrolling by motorway police in areas lacking this service.
The meeting also included discussions on the construction of the Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway, with various options and proposals under review. The participants deliberated on aspects of the Sialkot-Kharian Motorway project, focusing on resolving pending issues.
The federal secretary for communications and the chairman of NHA provided detailed briefings on departmental matters and ongoing projects.
