Gilgit-Khunjrab Motorway game changer for China, Central Asia: Senior Pakistani Minister

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Communications, Privatization and Board of Investment Abdul Aleem Khan has said that Gilgit-Khunjrab Motorway is a game changer for China and Central Asia,

The minister chaired a high-level meeting of the National Highway Authority in which he directed to setup priorities for the construction of highways and identification of new projects.

Khan observed that there would be no compromise on the quality of construction of highways and roads so Chairman National Highway Authority should depute honest and competent officers for the projects.

Federal Minister Communications further said that the real problem is the funds as just spending money was not a miracle so Government departments have to take steps to raise their income.

The Federal Minister further said that the officers of the National Highway Authority should take advantage of their abilities and expertise to develop a model of working on projects in other countries as well so that the annual income of NHA can be increased. Regarding the construction of highways and roads in the northern region, Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan said that the construction of the Gilgit-Khunjrab Motorway could prove to be a “Game Changer” by providing access to China and Central Asian States, similarly land connectivity through road and rail up to Gwadar is of very important.

During the meeting, the Federal Minister was given a detailed briefing on the Gilgit Package including the construction of Gilgit to Chitral, Shandoor, Mansehra and other roads by NHA on which the Federal Minister maintained that increasing the security and facilities on the highways will also enhance the number of tourists and traveling citizens.

It was informed in the meeting that this year NHA will get additional funds of Pakistani Rs 23 billion including the construction of new toll plazas and their functioning.

The projects of NHA in the four provinces were discussed in detail and some important decisions were taken in this high level meeting.