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ISLAMABAD, Nov 15 (APP): Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan has announced administrative restructuring of National Highway Authority (NHA), directing the reorganization of the NHA Punjab Region into four zones South Punjab, North Punjab, Central Punjab and a separate Lahore Region.
He chaired a detailed review meeting of the National Highway Authority (NHA), at NHA Lahore office where Punjab & Balochistan Regions were discussed in detail, said a press release issued on Saturday.
The minister said that new NHA members will be deputed countrywide under the revised structure to strengthen oversight and improve operational performance.
During the meeting, the minister was briefed on the rehabilitation of Motorway M-5, where it was informed that the Jalalpur Pirwala Section (one side) will be fully restored for traffic by November 30. Member Balochistan presented a detailed overview of the highway network and projects in the province, which covers the largest land area under NHA.
Abdul Aleem Khan emphasized the need to examine any financial wastage during the past year and ensure strict accountability across all regions. He instructed that new toll plazas across the country must follow a single, uniform design and be constructed only where traffic volumes justify revenue generation.
He directed the Secretary Communications to conduct weekly field visits for effective monitoring. Emphasizing the need for quality and standardization, the minister said that he is committed to implement uniform standards across NHA, citing ongoing work on the Islamabad–Murree Expressway as a model for future projects. He remarked that generating revenue is difficult while spending takes place in the blink of an eye, making strict checks on expenditures essential.
Abdul Aleem Khan added that certain recurring processes—such as patchwork and grass cutting—are difficult to audit and often unnecessary. He directed relevant NHA members to sit together and establish a clear and transparent mechanism with proper monitoring to ensure that every expenditure is justified.
The minister said that NHA must be transformed into a prestigious and respected institution, free from any perception of financial misuse. He noted that efforts are underway to improve the condition and outlook of NHA offices, with the aim of raising institutional standards nationwide. Meeting was also attended by Secretary Communications and Members from Punjab and Balochistan Regions.