Karachi to Chaman in 6 Hours: PM Launches Mega Expressway Project
A key review meeting on the construction and upgradation of Karachi-Chaman National Highway (N-25) was held at the Prime Minister’s House, Islamabad, today, chaired by Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif.
It was decided in the meeting that the 790-km long Karachi-Chaman Highway will be converted into an expressway of the best quality.
While talking to the participants of the meeting, the Prime Minister directed that the quality of road construction should be like that of a motorway.
The Prime Minister said that the upgradation of Karachi-Chaman Highway is very important for the social and economic development and prosperity of the province of Balochistan.
Making the development of Balochistan a priority, it was decided to spend these savings on the upgradation of Karachi-Chaman Highway instead of passing on the benefit of the reduction in petroleum products to the people last month.
All the provinces of Pakistan cooperated in this decision, which is a sign of the unity of the federation. He further said that the journey from Karachi to Chaman, which currently takes 18 hours,
will be reduced to 6 to 8 hours after the construction of this expressway; Karachi-Chaman Expressway will not only benefit passengers but will also have a positive impact on transport and trade
There will be no compromise on the quality of the project, and no negligence will be tolerated in this regard.
The Prime Minister directed that this expressway should be completed within 2 years at all costs. The Prime Minister directed the Chief Minister of Balochistan to cooperate with the relevant departments to ensure the availability of land for the expressway*
He further directed that bypasses should be constructed at all major cities coming onto the expressway for the convenience of the public.
The Prime Minister also directed that the environmental factor be taken into account during the construction of the project. He directed third-party validation after the construction of the project.
Balochistan Governor Jafar Khan Mandokhel and Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti thanked the Prime Minister for taking special interest in the development and progress of Balochistan, especially the construction and upgradation of Karachi-Chaman Highway.
The meeting was briefed on the progress of the project. The meeting was informed that the 790-km long Karachi-Chaman Highway will be constructed as an expressway, which will be a two-way road with 4 lanes.
The work on the highway was stalled due to lack of funding. The funding issues have been resolved due to the government’s decision to transfer the benefit of the shortage of petroleum products to Balochistan.
The meeting was further informed that work has started on the Khuzdar-Mastung section of the project, while a strategy is being formulated for the construction of five sections from Karachi to Khuzdar.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Balochistan Governor Jafar Khan Mandokhel, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema and senior government officials concerned.
Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan and Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti participated in the meeting via video link.
