Motorway Expansion to Boost Regional Connectivity
Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan has unveiled an ambitious plan to upgrade and extend the Lahore-Sialkot Motorway, a move poised to transform travel dynamics in Punjab and beyond. The project will see the current four-lane motorway widened to six lanes, greatly increasing its capacity to handle growing traffic volumes. Even more significantly, the motorway will be extended beyond Sialkot to Kharian, and then further linked to Islamabad. This development reflects the government’s commitment to modernizing the country’s transport infrastructure and addressing increasing mobility demands.
By connecting Kharian with Islamabad, the project aims to provide a direct and more efficient alternative to the heavily used Lahore-Islamabad Motorway (M-2). The new link is expected to cut the travel distance by almost 100 kilometers, which translates into a substantial saving of nearly one hour in journey time for commuters. With traffic congestion on the M-2 intensifying over the years, this new route offers welcome relief for both daily travelers and long-distance commuters.
Multiple Districts to Reap the Benefits
The upgraded and extended motorway holds special importance for several districts across Punjab. The route will serve as a lifeline for residents of Gujranwala, Gujrat, Kharian, Jhelum, and Gujar Khan, streamlining access to key urban centers and economic hubs. Improved connectivity is likely to bolster local economies, facilitate the movement of goods, and enhance opportunities for business and employment.
During the announcement, made at a high-level meeting at the National Highway Authority (NHA) Punjab Region Office, Minister Abdul Aleem Khan highlighted the strategic impact of this initiative. He emphasized that the new corridor would not only reduce travel time but also decongest existing motorways, making intercity and interdistrict journeys smoother and more predictable. The planned extension will further close regional gaps, ensuring that communities along the new route are no longer isolated from major economic activity.
Focus on Timely Completion and Quality Standards
A key focus of the high-level meeting was on project execution and the imperative to maintain the highest standards of construction. The minister directed NHA officials to ensure that the widening and extension works are completed without unnecessary delays, and that quality is never compromised. He underscored that substandard work or any form of delay would not be tolerated, setting a clear tone for accountability throughout the project’s lifecycle.
Additionally, Abdul Aleem Khan called for the preparation of a comprehensive 30-year infrastructure plan. This long-term vision is intended to anticipate and address the evolving needs of Pakistan’s growing population and economy, ensuring that today’s investments continue to deliver value well into the future.
Among the issues discussed was the urgent completion of the Multan Road to Ring Road corridor in Lahore. The minister reiterated the importance of this development corridor and instructed that all bottlenecks be addressed immediately so that commuters and businesses can benefit from upgraded infrastructure as soon as possible.
The meeting brought together key figures from the infrastructure sector, including the Federal Secretary for Communications, the Chairman of the National Highway Authority, and the CEO of the Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA). These officials briefed the minister on the latest status of road projects across Punjab and outlined new proposals for expanding and upgrading the province’s transport network.
