Federal Minister for Communications, Board of Investment, and Privatisation Abdul Aleem Khan recently presided over a review meeting of the National Highway Authority, underscoring the necessity to improve safety protocols on the nation’s motorways and highways.

During the discussion, Minister Khan delineated the NHA’s dedication to safeguarding the safety of travellers traversing roadways throughout Pakistan.

He emphasised that all conceivable measures will be implemented to protect human lives, asking officials to adopt pragmatic actions to mitigate the causes of accidents on motorways.

The Minister instructed the Authority Officials to create emergency service centres at 30-kilometer intervals along the motorways, guaranteeing prompt and effective reaction times for accidents or emergencies.

He advocated for more stringent inspections, particularly in light of the recent bus accident on the M2 Motorway, which heightened safety concerns.

Minister Khan emphasised the necessity for aerial assistance, revealing intentions to deploy helicopters and air ambulances to facilitate emergency rescues on highways and motorways.

The Minister instructed the NHA to guarantee the presence of Rescue 1122 Stations and other critical emergency services along the routes.

In an effort to modernise infrastructure, Minister Khan advocated the incorporation of Artificial Intelligence to monitor new toll plazas, hence improving efficiency and safety.

He also suggested transferring weighing stations from the motorways to the connecting roads to alleviate congestion and enhance traffic flow.

The Minister underscored the necessity of transparency in the NHA’s yearly repair plan and advocated for the implementation of a coordinated strategy to optimise operations.

A report was submitted to Minister Khan concerning grievances related to safety barriers and potholes at multiple sites on the Motorways.