Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan has announced a significant shift in Pakistan’s motorway management, directing the National Highway Authority (NHA) to move toward barrier-free operations supported by digital tolling and artificial intelligence surveillance. The initiative aims to align Pakistan’s road infrastructure with international standards, ensuring safer, more efficient, and transparent systems for commuters and authorities alike.
During a meeting at the NHA headquarters, Aleem Khan revealed that the new model will first be introduced on the M-1 and M-2 motorways. These routes will see the deployment of advanced AI-based monitoring that enables computerized surveillance of vehicles. The system will generate automatic text alerts for owners in the event of violations such as overspeeding, marking a departure from manual enforcement methods. The minister emphasized that the current practice of motorway police stepping directly in front of speeding vehicles should be discontinued, as it endangers both officers and motorists. He stressed that technology must take charge of enforcement to enhance overall safety.
Alongside traffic management reforms, the minister called for transparent reforms in toll plaza operations and revenue management. He directed that toll plaza auctions should be conducted fairly, while revenue collection must be fully digitized to eliminate inefficiencies and ensure accountability. Commercial activity along highways will also follow a standardized policy, reducing irregularities and introducing structured oversight. Importantly, Aleem Khan urged that public input be actively incorporated into future improvements, recognizing the role of citizens in shaping better services.
Further reforms include adjustments to land use policies, with the NHA instructed to establish fair NOC fee structures based on the size of cities and nature of business activity. This measure is intended to balance development opportunities with regulatory compliance. In addition, the minister placed strong emphasis on environmental sustainability, directing the expansion of tree plantation programs along highways. Private sector companies are to be engaged not only in plantation but also in the long-term upkeep and preservation of green belts, ensuring that environmental initiatives remain effective over time.
This combination of digital enforcement, revenue transparency, uniform land policies, and environmental responsibility signals a comprehensive modernization of Pakistan’s motorway infrastructure. By digitizing operations and embedding AI technologies into traffic management, the NHA under Aleem Khan’s leadership is steering Pakistan toward a safer, smarter, and more sustainable road network that serves both commuters and the economy.
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