Murree Expressway to reach Muzaffarabad as government clears 70km extension

The federal government has approved plans to extend the Murree Expressway (N-75) by 70 kilometres to Muzaffarabad, paving the way for Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) to be directly linked with Pakistan's motorway and expressway network.

The decision was taken during a National Highway Authority (NHA) meeting chaired by Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan on Thursday, where the authority's financial close and development strategy for the current fiscal year came under review.

According to the Ministry of Communications, the extension is expected to improve connectivity between AJK and the rest of the country by providing a modern, high-speed transport corridor designed to reduce travel time and enhance road safety.

Khan said the project would mark the beginning of a new era of modern road infrastructure for AJK, adding that residents of the region should have access to the same high-standard motorway facilities available elsewhere in Pakistan.

Alongside approving the expressway expansion, the minister instructed the NHA to shift its focus toward completing ongoing infrastructure schemes instead of launching new ones. He directed the authority to prioritise the completion of 25 major projects during the current fiscal year before committing resources to additional developments.

Particular emphasis was placed on the M-8 Motorway, with Khan ordering work on the Hoshab–Awaran Road and the Awaran–Nal section to be accelerated. He said the projects would strengthen trade links with neighbouring Iran while opening new opportunities for tourism and regional economic development.

The communications minister also outlined plans to reduce the NHA's dependence on government funding, saying the authority would be restructured to generate up to Rs400 billion a year through its own revenue streams.

Senior officials, including the Communications Secretary and the NHA chairman, concluded the meeting by briefing participants on the authority's fiscal position and long-term operational roadmap.

The latest announcement builds on ongoing work along the Murree Expressway, where beautification, rehabilitation and improvement projects have continued under Khan's tenure. The minister personally reviewed progress during a visit to the route in November 2025.

The route has also been the scene of several serious accidents. Earlier this month, 10 people were killed and 13 others injured after a passenger van caught fire when it plunged into a nullah while negotiating a bend, according to the National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP).