Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed to enhance policing and patrolling on national highways and motorways, emphasizing that provision of the best travel facilities is a top priority. of the government.

He was chairing two separate meetings in Islamabad today on matters related to National Highway Authority and safety measures on National Highways and Motorways across the country.

The Prime Minister instructed to constitute a steering committee to review the development work of Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway, construction of remaining sections of Rato Dero-Gwadar Motorway and Hyderabad-Karachi Motorway, Karachi-Quetta-Chaman National Highway, and reconstruction of some parts of Karakoram Highway.

Describing national highways and motorways as the backbone of the country’s economy, the Prime Minister ordered an acceleration of development work on these vital national projects as a priority.

Shehbaz Sharif directed the completion of repairs to all fences along the motorways within a month and called for strict action against those involved in the theft and sale of stolen fences.

The meeting was informed that legislation is being made regarding the declaration of motorways as a strategic asset, after which strict action will be taken against those who damage the motorways as per the law.

It was briefed that work on the first phase of the Lahore-Sahiwal-Bahawalnagar Motorway has begun, with land acquisition underway from Lahore Ring Road to Raiwind-Kasur Road. This project will benefit several districts in South-East Punjab.

The meeting was further informed that 859 kilometers of the total 4,027 kilometers of protective fencing along the motorways have either been stolen or damaged. Over the last four years, 36 accidents have been reported, and 178 FIRs have been registered.