| Islamabad: The National Highway Authority (NHA) has recorded an unprecedented 100% increase in annual revenue, skyrocketing from PKR 64 billion to PKR 110 billion, as reported on October 29.
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As per details, this landmark achievement stands as a historic milestone for any government organization in Pakistan, underscoring the NHA’s success in financial growth. A substantial share of this revenue growth came from toll plaza collections, which alone doubled, reaching PKR 64 billion. Federal Minister for Communications, Privatization, and Board of Investment, Abdul Aleem Khan, highlighted this achievement during a high-level meeting at the NHA Headquarters, where he reviewed operations at the National Traffic Operation Centre.
During his visit, Minister Khan examined the NHA’s traffic monitoring and control systems and mandated daily reports on revenue collection. Expressing satisfaction with the fact that 99% of vehicles on the Lahore-Sialkot Motorway now utilize the M-Tag system, he directed the implementation of camera-based monitoring for license plates and vehicle sides, ensuring real-time data access for the Secretary of Communications and the NHA Chairperson.
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Minister Khan also emphasized the importance of public awareness on the M-Tag system’s benefits—such as reduced travel time, increased security, and eased traffic flow—stating that a focused awareness campaign would be rolled out over the next two weeks. In discussions with monitoring officers, he encouraged further automation within the traffic management system to enhance operational efficiency and address ongoing challenges.
Reflecting on the financial performance of the past six months, Khan commended the NHA’s revenue achievements as a step towards financial independence. He also proposed bonuses and rewards for NHA employees to recognise their contribution to this record-breaking growth.
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Saudi Investment Initiatives Progress
Separately, Minister Khan held a follow-up meeting with Saudi officials to discuss investment collaboration, following a recent visit by a Saudi delegation to Pakistan. Meeting via video link with Saudi Assistant Minister of Investment, Ibrahim Al-Mubarak, Khan reviewed strategies for advancing joint investment projects. He expressed gratitude to Saudi Investment Minister Shaikh Khalid Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Faleh for his commitment to strengthening Pakistan-Saudi Arabia investment partnerships.
Saudi representatives extended an invitation to Khan to attend the upcoming investment expo in Saudi Arabia on November 25-26, and both sides agreed to maintain regular communication to ensure steady progress on joint investment goals. Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ahmed Farooq, along with senior officials from Pakistan’s commerce and privatization ministries, participated in the virtual meeting, offering key insights on investment priorities. |
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