Pakistan is moving toward the completion of 16 major road and highway projects, with the schemes now in their final stages and expected to be ready for inauguration soon.
The development was shared during a review meeting on National Highway Authority (NHA) projects chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad.
The projects cover upgrades, road expansions, interchanges and dual carriageways in different parts of the country.
Among the projects nearing completion are the upgrade of GT Road N-5 from Tee Chowk Islamabad to Banth, remodelling of the Islamabad Chungi No. 26 Interchange, and the Margalla Avenue Extension connecting GT Road N-5 with Motorway M-1.
The list also includes the upgrade of the Pindi Bhattian-Faisalabad section of M-4, Quetta Western Bypass, Pindi Gheb-Jand Road and the Bhong Interchange on the Multan-Sukkur Motorway M-5.
Several other projects involve the construction or expansion of major roads. These include Nokandi-Mashkhel Road, conversion of Old Bannu Road into a dual carriageway, and improvements on different sections of Indus Highway N-55.
The Indus Highway projects include the Sehwan-San section, Ratodero-Shikarpur section and an additional carriageway on the Pataro-Sindh section.
The meeting was also informed that NHA revenue increased from Rs. 109 billion in the previous fiscal year to Rs. 130 billion. It is expected to reach Rs. 160 billion during the current fiscal year.
NHA is using its own revenue to finance several projects, including Sialkot-Kharian Motorway M-12, Kharian-Rawalpindi Motorway M-13, Peshawar Northern Bypass, reconstruction of the Jaglot-Skardu Road, the M-4 upgrade, Multan-Lodhran N-5 upgrade and approach roads for the Layyah-Taunsa Bridge.
Work on the Pakistan Expressway N-25 is also progressing, according to the briefing.
The meeting was informed that several more projects are expected to be launched soon. These include the Kharian-Rawalpindi Motorway M-13, Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway M-6, rehabilitation of GT Road N-5 between Nowshera and Peshawar, reconstruction of the Rawalpindi-Hassan Abdal section and rehabilitation and reconstruction work on different N-5 sections.
Sialkot-Kharian Motorway M-12 and Kharian-Rawalpindi Motorway M-13 are being developed under public-private partnerships.
Prime Minister Shehbaz directed the authorities to conduct third-party audits of all ongoing NHA projects. He also ordered the preparation of a strategy for developing highways, motorways and expressways through public-private partnerships.
The government is also considering the Guru Nanak Expressway to connect Kartarpur with Nankana Sahib. Another proposed project is the Mansehra-Chilas Expressway through Naran, which could reduce the distance between the two cities by 146 kilometers.
The prime minister said better transport infrastructure is essential for economic development. He directed the government to prioritize links between remote areas and the rest of the country to improve travel facilities and create more opportunities for businesses and employment.
