Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan directed on Friday that major highways be shifted to an Intelligent Transport System on a priority basis.
The Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) president has issued the instructions during a visit to the National Highway and Motorway Police Headquarters in Islamabad, where he chaired a high-level meeting. The meeting approved key decisions relating to road safety, infrastructure, and traffic management.
It was decided that Rescue 1122, fire brigade units, and ambulances must be available at all motorway and highway service areas.
The federal minister ordered that the M-2 Motorway be included in the Intelligent Transport System programme without delay, and that other key highways also be brought under the same system on a priority basis.
He directed the introduction of cashless and free-flow toll collection systems on national highways. The electronic toll system is to be linked with the Safe City security network.
Instructions were also issued to strengthen security infrastructure, cameras, and communication systems under the ITS plan.
Abdul Aleem Khan called for uniform safety standards on the Murree Expressway and other major routes. He said service areas on motorways must offer consistent facilities and ensure the availability of motorway police assistance.
Emergency response services are to be made more effective, with arrangements for swift provision of air ambulance facilities.
Special safety measures were ordered for mountainous routes. Guard rails are to be installed on the Jaglot–Skardu Road and the Mansehra–Kaghan–Naran Road.
It was also decided that existing rest facilities in these regions would be replaced with permanent rest areas.
