Islamabad: Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan has expressed dissatisfaction over the performance of the National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP), directing the force to bring visible improvements within a week. He was chairing a high-level meeting of the NHMP in Islamabad on Thursday.

The minister made it clear that the police must serve the public, not officers’ households. He instructed that government employees deputed at the residences of senior officers be sent back to their official duties immediately.

“Motorway police officials are not barbers, cooks, or personal servants of officers. Their job is to serve the people,” he stressed.

Highlighting traffic safety, Khan ordered strict enforcement of overspeeding and axle-load policies. He announced that vehicles exceeding 120 km/h would face fines, while overspeeding beyond 150 km/h would result in the registration of FIRs.

He also called for public awareness campaigns, including pamphlets and signboards at entry points, and directed the induction of additional officers. The minister emphasized that motorway police must remain vigilant to curb crimes and develop proposals for setting up their own dedicated police stations.

Khan suggested outsourcing vehicle fitness checks on motorways and introducing electronic monitoring systems similar to developed countries. He further instructed that Safe City projects and local police be integrated with the motorway policing system.

Adopting an austere approach, the minister warned that “royal lifestyles” would not be tolerated and urged reduction of unnecessary expenditures.

“Bureaucracy must move beyond traditional procedures and focus on practical work. If the Motorway Police shows results, we will enhance their incentives,” he assured.

The meeting was also briefed by the Federal Secretary for Communications, the IG Motorway Police, and senior officials.