ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is preparing to introduce a dedicated air ambulance service on motorways in a major step aimed at transforming emergency response and road safety across the country’s expanding highway network. The initiative, being developed in collaboration with the Pakistan Air Force, will also include the construction of modern trauma centres on key motorways to provide rapid medical assistance during accidents and emergencies.

Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan unveiled the plan during a high level meeting with Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank Vice President Konstantin Limitovskiy and Director General Xiaohong Wang in Islamabad on Wednesday. The minister said the project reflects the government’s broader vision to modernise Pakistan’s transport infrastructure and improve passenger safety standards on major road corridors.

Abdul Aleem Khan praised the Pakistan Air Force leadership for actively supporting the proposed helicopter based emergency rescue service. Officials said the air ambulance network is expected to drastically reduce response times during motorway accidents, particularly in remote stretches where immediate medical intervention often remains unavailable.

During the meeting, the communications minister also highlighted Pakistan’s ambitious motorway expansion programme and stressed the strategic importance of partnerships with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. He described the Karachi Hyderabad and Hyderabad Sukkur motorway project as the country’s most critical infrastructure priority, calling it essential for trade growth and long term economic development.

The minister said the Karachi Port connecting section of the motorway would consist of eight lanes, while the Hyderabad Sukkur segment would feature six lanes to handle increasing commercial traffic. He assured the delegation that the government intended to complete the project within the next two years by utilising all available resources.

Abdul Aleem Khan further announced that the Lahore Sialkot and Kharian Rawalpindi motorway projects were also progressing rapidly and expected to be completed within the same timeframe. Officials estimate the new routes will shorten travel between Lahore and Islamabad by nearly 100 kilometres, reducing travel time by around one hour and saving billions of rupees annually in fuel costs.