ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Communications Aleem Khan on Tuesday approved the construction of a new, state-of-the-art motorway via Mansehra, Kaghan, Naran, Jhal Khand, and Chilas (MNJC) to provide a safe alternative route to the Karakoram Highway (KKH).

The decision was taken in a meeting of the National Highway Authority (NHA) held under the chairmanship of the minister, where key decisions were approved to modernise the country’s transport infrastructure. The secretary of communications and NHA Chairman Capt (retd) Asadullah Khan were also present.

During the meeting, the federal minister was briefed on ongoing and new projects. Officials told the meeting that the MNJC motorway would be 172km in length, and that the route would reduce travel distance on the KKH by up to 120 kilometres.

The project will be completed in two phases, the minister said. In the first phase, the motorway will be built from Mansehra to Kaghan, Naran, and Babusar Top, while the second phase will cover the section from Babusar Top to Chilas.

A major highlight of the project is the construction of the 13.5km-long Babusar Tunnel, which will be the longest tunnel in Pakistan.

Designed with future demand in mind, the four-lane motorway will have the capacity to expand to six lanes. Modern rest areas will be built every 25-30km for motorists, and freight terminals will be established at both ends of the motorway.

Highlighting the economic significance of the project, the minister said that traditionally, trade from the Arabian Sea to China via existing routes was time-consuming and resulted in significant financial costs.

The new motorway would directly link western China to the ports of Karachi and Gwadar, the minister added.

He said the network would serve as the fastest, shortest, and most cost-effective route from the Arabian Sea to western China, drastically reducing transit times and costs while proving to be a “real game-changer” for the sustainable development of Gwadar Port.

The minister directed NHA officials to finalise all technical aspects of the project within the specified timeline.