In a landmark decision aimed at promoting religious tourism and infrastructure, the National Highway Authority (NHA) has announced construction of new motorway in Kartarpur and Nankana Sahib leading to Pakistan motorway network. The announcement was given in an NHA meeting presided over by Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan.
The new motorway is called the Guru Nanak Expressway and its aim is to offer safer, smoother and more comfortable travel to Sikh pilgrims to visit these holy places.
Abdul Aleem Khan said the project was a gift to the Sikh community in Pakistan and the Sikh diaspora abroad.
He directed NHA to immediately start the construction work on the Sialkot-Kartarpur Motorway on the grounds that the construction from Sialkot to Kartarpur will also be beneficial for several other cities located in the nearby area.
The minister stressed that the expressway will have modern facilities and it would make the journey more peaceful and convenient.
In addition to the motorway, three-star to five-star hotels, world-class rest areas and modern shopping malls will be developed on the route, so that it can provide a high-quality experience to the travellers.
In order to attract international investments, the NHA was instructed by Abdul Aleem Khan to promote the Sikh holy sites worldwide through roadshows and targeting advertisements in London, Canada and the United States with an invitation for the participating overseas Sikh investors in these development projects.
The motorway will also positively affect connected cities like Narang Mandi and Bado Malhi in order to improve their accessibility and open new economic opportunities.
Abdul Aleem Khan hailed the Nankana Sahib and Kartarpur motorway projects as game changers for religious tourism in Pakistan and said that the NHA needs to maintain the highest construction standards for its projects to gain long-term benefits.
With the construction of the Guru Nanak Expressway, Pakistan is not merely focusing on improving the ease of travel for the pilgrims, but it is also promoting Pakistan as the prime destination for religious tourism, thus encouraging not only its economy but also promoting cultural exchange as well.
