Govt approves Rs415B for Balochistan Expressway Project

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has approved the construction of three key sections of the Balochistan Expressway (N-25) at a cost of Rs415 billion, aiming to enhance connectivity between Quetta and Karachi through a 692-kilometer road network.

The Central Development Working Party (CDWP), chaired by Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal, cleared the projects while raising concerns over road alignment and land acquisition. These issues must be resolved before final approval by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), which is required for projects exceeding Rs7.5 billion — the CDWP’s approval limit.

The plan includes dualizing the Karachi-Quetta-Chaman route (278 km) at a cost of Rs183.4 billion, and completing the Khuzdar-Kuchlak section (332 km) at Rs99 billion, where 52% of construction is already complete. Another section, Karoro Wadh-Khuzdar-Chaman (104 km), will cost Rs133 billion. Annual budget allocations will be increased to ensure timely completion within three years.

Funding for the project will come from an Rs8 per liter levy on petrol and diesel, introduced earlier this year. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif defended the fuel levy, stating that the infrastructure investment would enhance road safety and drive economic growth in Balochistan despite criticism over rising fuel prices.

This year, the federal government has allocated Rs1 trillion for the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), with Rs210 billion earmarked for projects in Balochistan. The expressway initiative marks a significant step towards improving the province’s infrastructure and regional connectivity.