Govt to launch air ambulance service on national highways by next year

Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan announced on Thursday that the government will launch an air ambulance service across all national highways by next year to ensure quick medical assistance and reduce fatalities from road accidents. 

The service will provide timely first aid and transport accident victims to nearby hospitals, addressing delays in emergency responses.

During the Senate’s Question Hour, Khan emphasized the government’s priority of safeguarding citizens’ lives through improved road safety and faster medical assistance. 

He also noted the urgent need to upgrade Pakistan’s road network, particularly in high-risk areas. Khan highlighted that nearly 44% of the National Highway Authority’s (NHA) road network is located in Balochistan, underlining the importance of federal investment in the province’s infrastructure.

The minister revealed that petroleum levy funds have been redirected to accelerate the construction of the Pakistan Expressway from Karachi to Chaman, a project set to be completed within two years. The Frontier Works Organization has been awarded the contract for the expressway.

In response to a question from Senator Talha Mahmood, Khan provided updates on the Chitral–Shandur road project, which is being developed in four packages. The first package is 44% complete, the second 25%, and the third 37%. The project faced delays due to land acquisition issues in Upper Chitral, but the federal government has approved Rs 1.2 billion to accelerate progress. The ministry aims to complete the project ahead of its December 2026 deadline.

Regarding the transfer of under-construction roads to the NHA, Khan stated that provincial governments must formally request the NHA to take over such routes. Once transferred, the NHA would manage their reconstruction and rehabilitation using federal resources. Several tourism corridors in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan have been identified as high-priority routes. The government has offered to fund their construction, provided the provinces transfer administrative control. Khan confirmed that local residents would be exempt from tolls, with only tourists paying.

Addressing concerns raised by Senator Talha Mahmood, Khan acknowledged safety hazards on some mountainous road stretches where the lack of protective guardrails had led to fatal accidents. He announced that safety rails would be installed immediately on all completed road sections.

On Senator Aimal Wali Khan’s concerns regarding flawed road design near Islamabad Airport, Khan assured the Senate that the ministry would construct a new bridge if necessary to improve traffic flow and resolve dangerous turning points.

Khan also provided updates on the Lyari Expressway, which is being constructed to international standards. He described the project as a major contribution to the people of Karachi. The Northern Bypass, integrated into the new Karachi–Hyderabad motorway plan, is expected to ease traffic congestion at Karachi Port. 

Khan welcomed Senator Waqar Mehdi’s praise for the safety walls on the Lyari Expressway, reaffirming the ministry’s commitment to ensuring public safety in ongoing infrastructure projects.