The government has approved a 70-kilometre extension of the Murree Expressway to Muzaffarabad. The project matters because it will improve regional connectivity and provide safer, faster travel for Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Residents, businesses, and tourists are expected to benefit from the new transport link.
The decision was announced during a National Highway Authority meeting chaired by Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan in Islamabad. According to the Communications Ministry, the extension will connect Azad Jammu and Kashmir to Pakistan’s motorway and expressway network. The minister said the project would mark a new era of modern and safe transportation for the region.
Khan also instructed the National Highway Authority to prioritise completing ongoing infrastructure projects before launching new ones. He directed the authority to focus on finishing 25 priority projects during the current fiscal year. Among them, he highlighted the importance of accelerating work on the M-8 Motorway, including the Hoshab–Awaran Road and the Awaran–Nal section.
The minister said the southwestern road projects would strengthen trade with neighbouring Iran and promote tourism. He also outlined plans to make the National Highway Authority financially self-reliant. Under the proposal, the authority aims to generate up to Rs400 billion annually through its own revenue instead of depending on federal funding.
The meeting concluded after officials reviewed the National Highway Authority’s financial position and strategic plans for the new fiscal year. The Murree Expressway has witnessed several serious accidents in recent years, including a fatal crash earlier this month that claimed 10 lives and injured 13 others. Authorities believe the planned expansion and continued improvements will enhance road safety and regional connectivity.