Federal Minister Aleem Khan criticizes provincial delays over stalled projects
Why this matters: local context for readers following news across Pakistan and the region.
LAHORE – Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan has directed the National Highway Authority (NHA) to expedite work on key infrastructure projects and warned that the federal government may step in directly where provincial delays continue to hinder progress. Chairing a review meeting of the NHA in Islamabad on May 15, 2026, the minister expressed dissatisfaction over the pace of ongoing projects linked with the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments, saying repeated delays were obstructing development of critical transport corridors. He particularly noted that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government had not released funds for the Peshawar Northern Bypass even after a wait of more than five months. In response, he said the NHA should be prepared to complete the project independently if provincial financing is not provided. Similarly, he pointed out that the Punjab government had not fulfilled its committed share for the Rawalpindi–Kahuta road project, directing the authority to take full responsibility for completing the pending work on such routes if necessary. Aleem Khan also instructed authorities to accelerate the expansion of the motorway network, ordering that the Lahore–Sialkot Motorway be upgraded from four to six lanes. He further directed that the Sialkot–Kharian and Kharian–Rawalpindi sections be developed as six-lane highways to meet growing traffic demand. Emphasizing quality and timeliness, he stressed that all project feasibility reports must be fully accurate and that deadlines should be strictly observed. He also ordered completion of the final phase work, including bridges on the Peshawar Northern Bypass, before the onset of the July monsoon season. The meeting was attended by the Secretary of Communications and the Chairman of the NHA, where the minister reiterated that delays in execution would no longer be tolerated and that priority would be given to fast-tracking national transport infrastructure projects. Senate halts NHA bidd