Federal Government Agrees to Complete Four NHA Projects Under Public-Private Partnership; Minister Abdul Aleem Khan Outlines Vision to Link Mansehra-Chilas Motorway to the Chinese Border
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Government has started formal consultations to implement a number of development schemes including key motorways that are to be built via Public Private Partnerships (PPS) under the National Highway Authority (NHA). The NHA and the Privatisation Commission have reached a broad agreement on the public-private partnership (P3) model to be adopted for four critical infrastructure projects in the first phase.
This was after a meeting between the federal minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan and the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Privatization Muhammad Ali at a high level. In the session a formal offer to finish the 169-kilometer-long M-10 motorway sector with this mechanism of joint investments was made.
Some of the main points raised during an NHA and Privatisation Commission Meeting were:
Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan said the government is trying to make its motorway network of Mansehra, Naran, Jalkhad and Chilas fully connected with the Chinese border. The Guru Nanak Expressway, which is crucial for the Sikh community, could also be built like that to encourage a religious tour, he added.
Institutional Growth of NHA: The Minister stated that the Minister of Finance is very impressed by the fact that NHA’s revenue has significantly increased which is encouraging as it is moving towards Financial Autonomy. He talked about the ultimate dream of the NHA to be an organization which produces Rs. 500 billion to Rs. The 1 trillion to substantially cut down the government development money.
Other important projects of the strategic importance discussed: The meeting examined other critical projects of strategic importance like the Sialkot-Kharian Motorway (M-12) and extension of Murree Expressway till Kashmir. The Minister instructed NHA officials to create a comprehensive and formal business plan.
Next Steps: PM’s Advisor Muhammad Ali has promised to provide full institutional cooperation to the projects. Both the NHA and the Privatisation Commission agreed to work on initial groundwork immediately and then meet again in one week.