Major Overhaul in Motorway Travel Announced; Babusar Top Road Reopens Ahead of Schedule

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan has announced sweeping reforms aimed at enhancing safety and efficiency on Pakistan’s motorways and national highways. Chairing a high-level meeting in Islamabad, the minister unveiled a series of measures, including modernizing the Motorway Police, enforcing stricter vehicle fitness standards, and collaborating with international institutions for improved driving license issuance.

The minister emphasized the deployment of advanced technology in traffic monitoring, including the development of a modern control room and the recruitment of top-performing officers. “Incompetent or non-merit-based personnel have no place in this system,” he asserted, calling for a strict enforcement of speed limits and the removal of negligence from public roads.

A key directive included the swift launch of an Air Ambulance Service on national highways, along with proposals for establishing trauma centers to deal with emergencies more effectively. The Federal Minister also urged NHA officials to study international traffic systems to bring Pakistan’s infrastructure in line with global standards.

In a significant development for tourism and travel, the National Highway Authority (NHA) has reopened the Babusar Top Road much earlier than usual, following the minister’s special instructions. Traditionally opened in July, the scenic route is now accessible in May — up to two months ahead of schedule — offering travelers an earlier passage to Gilgit-Baltistan and cutting travel time by nearly five hours.

According to the NHA spokesperson, heavy snow, glaciers, and landslides that typically delay the route’s reopening have been efficiently cleared. The reopening also includes swift restoration of access to popular destinations like Kaghan and Naran.

Read more: Air Ambulance Service on Motorways in the Pipeline: Abdul Aleem Khan

Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan reiterated that the highways of Northern Pakistan remain a top priority, with NHA teams working diligently to ensure road safety and improved travel experiences for tourists and locals alike.