Key Takeaways
- Pakistan has invited international Sikhs to invest in the proposed Guru Nanak Expressway.
- The project aims to improve access to religious and historical sites and attract foreign investment.
- The minister directed the NHA to prepare a feasibility study for the Mansehra-Naran section.
Pakistan has extended an invitation to members of the Sikh community in the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States to invest in the proposed Guru Nanak Expressway, according to a statement by Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan.
The expressway, which is being developed to international standards, is expected to enhance access to religious and historical sites significant to Sikhs, as well as boost economic and tourism opportunities.
Speaking at a National Highway Authority (NHA) meeting, Khan highlighted the potential of the project as an investment opportunity, noting its religious, historical, and economic significance.
The meeting also discussed other road schemes, including the proposed Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhand-Chilas highway. The minister directed the NHA to prepare a feasibility study for developing the 123-kilometer Mansehra-Naran section as a model project.
In addition to the expressway, the minister ordered officials to complete construction work on the Multan-Muzaffargarh-Mianwali highway within two months and accelerate other ongoing projects without compromising road safety.
Safety barriers were approved for the expansion of the Pindi Bhattian-Faisalabad section of the M-4 motorway, and new highways will include rest areas and washrooms on both sides, along with mandatory green belts and landscaping, to provide safer and more comfortable travel facilities.
The project is part of a broader effort to attract foreign investment and improve infrastructure in Pakistan, particularly in regions with significant historical and religious importance.
While no specific investment commitments or construction timelines were announced, the invitation reflects the government's commitment to involving the international Sikh community in the development of the project.
