Motorways Across Pakistan are Getting a Major Change

Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan has directed the National Highway Authority (NHA) to make all motorways in the country barrier-free, moving toward international standards of digital tolling and traffic management.

Chairing a meeting at the NHA headquarters, the minister announced that Artificial Intelligence-based monitoring would be introduced first on the M-1 and M-2 motorways. The system will allow computerized surveillance and generate automatic text alerts for vehicle owners in case of traffic violations, including over-speeding.

Aleem Khan emphasized that the practice of motorway police stepping in front of speeding vehicles must end, noting that such measures put lives at risk. “Technology should take over enforcement,” he said, stressing the importance of safety and efficiency.

The minister also directed reforms in revenue collection and contracting. He called for toll plaza auctions to be held transparently and for commercial activities along highways to follow a uniform policy with complete digitization of revenue. Public feedback, he added, should be actively sought to improve services.

On land use, the NHA was asked to fix reasonable NOC fees based on city size and business type. The minister further instructed officials to expand tree plantation along highways, involving private firms in planting, upkeep, and preservation to ensure long-term environmental benefits.