Pakistan is exploring public-private partnerships for four major road infrastructure projects. The government wants to attract more private investment and lessen the National Highway Authority’s (NHA) dependence on federal money.
Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan and Prime Minister’s Adviser on Privatisation Muhammad Ali chaired a meeting in Islamabad. Representatives of the NHA, the Privatisation Commission and the Public Private Partnership Authority (P3A) took part in the discussions.
Projects under review include M-10 and northern routes
Officials assessed the financial feasibility and commercial potential of a 169km section of the M-10 Motorway. They also examined a motorway linking Mansehra, Naran, Jhal Khand and Chilas, which would connect towards the Chinese border.
The meeting also considered the Guru Nanak Expressway. The minister said it could support religious tourism for the Sikh community. An extension of the Murree Expressway into Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) was also discussed, with the aim of boosting tourism and trade.
NHA told to prepare plans for private investors
Khan directed NHA officials to draw up business plans and identify projects suited to private-sector investment. He cited the Sialkot-Kharian Motorway (M-12), being built under a public-private partnership, as an example of the model being pursued.
The minister said he wants the NHA to become financially self-sustaining, with a value of between 500 billion and 1 trillion Pakistani rupees. This would reduce its reliance on the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).
Preliminary assessments due within a week
Muhammad Ali pledged support from the Privatisation Commission and P3A to assess the proposals. Officials agreed to complete preliminary technical work and meet again within a week to review their findings.
The discussions are part of the government’s wider effort to bring private capital into transport infrastructure while strengthening the NHA’s financial sustainability.
