Islamabad:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed on Tuesday that the Karachi-Chaman National Highway (N-25) becomes a high quality highway, which matches the standards of the Pakistan highways.
The prime minister presided over a high-level review meeting at the Prime Minister’s house to evaluate the progress in the construction and update of the Karachaman National Highway 790 kilometers long (N-25), a vital transport corridor, said a statement from the Prime Minister’s office.
The prime minister emphasized that the project was a cornerstone for the socioeconomic development of Baluchistan.
“The Karachaman road update is not just a road project, it is a strategic life line for Baluchistan’s prosperity,” he said.
The Prime Minister mentioned that, instead of transmitting the recent reduction in the prices of oil products to the general public, the Government has redirected those savings to finance the Expressway project. “All provinces supported this movement, symbolizing national unity and a shared commitment to the elevation of Baluchistan,” he added.
The prime minister said that once completed, the travel time between Karachi and Chaman, actively around 18 hours, would be reduced to only 6 to 8 hours. “This will promote trade, transport and public convenience along the route.” Added.
During the meeting, strict instructions were issued to guarantee higher level construction standards and timely completion in two years. The prime minister also directed that environmental safeguards are incorporated during construction and that the validation of third parties will be carried out after completion.
To relieve local traffic and improve accessibility, derivations will be built around all main cities along the route. In addition, the prime minister asked the Baluchistan Prime Minister to guarantee coordination with the relevant departments for the acquisition of timely land.
The meeting was reported that the highway will be a four -lane road. Delays in the project had been previously caused by the shortage of financing, which have now been addressed through the new government budget approach. The construction in the Khuzdar-Masteung section has already begun, and the planning is underway for five segments between Karachi and Khuzdar.
Baluchistan governor Jaffar Khan Commandkhail and Prime Minister Sarfraz Bugti thanked the prime minister for his dedicated approach in the development of Baluchistan.
The meeting was attended by the Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ishaq Dar, Governor Jaffar Khan Commandkhail, Federal Minister of Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Chema and other senior officials. The Minister of Communications, Abdul Aleem Khan, and the main minister Sarfraz Bugti joined through video link.
