Pakistan has invited foreign investment in the proposed Guru Nanak Expressway, a project officials say will have religious, historical, and economic significance.
Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan stated that foreign investment would be sought for the Guru Nanak Expressway, inviting the Sikh community residing in the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States to invest in the project.
The minister for communication said the expressway would be developed according to international standards and could provide an attractive investment opportunity while improving access to sites of importance to the Sikh community.
The announcement was made during a meeting of the National Highway Authority (NHA), where officials also reviewed progress on several major road projects across the country.
The meeting also discussed the proposed Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhand-Chilas highway, including a 123km section between Mansehra and Naran.
Aleem Khan ordered the NHA to prepare a feasibility study for developing the 123-kilometre-long Mansehra-Naran highway as a model project.
The proposed three-lane motorway is expected to improve tourism and strengthen road links with China, he said.
The minister also instructed the NHA to speed up work on ongoing projects and meet their deadlines.
The meeting also reviewed ongoing construction and development work on various sections of the GT Road from Rawalpindi to Peshawar.
Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan tasked NHA officials with completing the construction work on the Multan-Muzaffargarh-Mianwali highway within the next two months.
He directed the NHA to complete ongoing projects in the shortest possible time and ensure that all projects meet their stipulated deadlines, making it clear that nothing takes precedence over the safety of citizens on roads and highways.
The meeting also approved the construction of safety barriers as part of the expansion of the Pindi Bhattian-Faisalabad section of the M-4 motorway.
The minister directed officials to provide rest areas and washrooms on both sides of new highways to improve facilities for travelers.
He also ordered green belts and horticultural work to become mandatory features of new highways and motorways.
He instructed NHA officials to incorporate horticulture into highway development plans so that modern infrastructure is complemented by environmentally friendly and aesthetically attractive roads.
Abdul Aleem Khan reiterated that the objective of constructing and developing national highways and motorways was not merely to improve travel facilities but also to provide safe, attractive, and sustainable infrastructure.
He directed the NHA to accelerate the pace of all ongoing projects and ensure their completion within stipulated timelines.
