NHA Plans to Hire Foreign Experts to Improve Highway Design in Pakistan
The National Highway Authority (NHA) is set to seek assistance from foreign experts to improve highway design and road engineering in Pakistan.
Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan directed NHA officials to engage international specialists during a high-level meeting held to review the authority’s ongoing and upcoming projects.
The meeting covered several areas, including highway design, road safety, development programmes, revenue generation and the financial position of the NHA.
Focus on Safer Highway Designs
During the meeting, Abdul Aleem Khan raised concerns about the design of the M-4 Motorway and other highways. He stressed the need to make roads safer and more comfortable for motorists.
The minister directed NHA engineers to study and adopt international practices in highway construction and design. He also emphasised that protection of human lives should remain a key consideration when planning and developing new roads.
Officials were instructed to improve engineering standards and incorporate stronger road-safety measures into upcoming highway projects.
NHA Handles Major Traffic Network
The meeting was informed that the NHA controls around 3.13% of Pakistan’s total road network, but this network carries more than 80% of the country’s traffic.
Officials also briefed the communications minister about financing arrangements for the M-6 Motorway, projects being executed under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), and NHA schemes in all four provinces.
Revenue to Support New Roads
The minister was informed that the NHA has achieved its revenue enhancement target that was set two years ago.
According to the meeting, the authority plans to use revenue generated through its existing sources to support the construction of additional roads and infrastructure projects.
The meeting also decided to approach the federal government for Rs. 108 billion in funding for NHA projects in Balochistan.
The latest measures are aimed at improving highway engineering, strengthening road safety and bringing future road projects closer to modern international standards.
