PM directs NHA to complete all projects by December 2017

E-Paper | February 23, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday directed the National Highway Authority (NHA) to complete all projects by December 2017, other than those which are scheduled for earlier completion.

Speaking at a meeting, the prime minister said that unprecedented infrastructure development activity under the NHA Road portfolio is underway in the country, and it will change the landscape of Pakistan across its length and breadth.

Read: Completion of CPEC projects by end of 2017 ordered

“China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects are spread across all the provinces and the whole country will benefit from the fruits of this huge endeavour,” said the prime minister.

The prime minister was also briefed on the occasion and informed that an investment of $1 billion from the private sector will be achieved by the end of September for road infrastructure projects. It was also added that the construction activity would contribute 1 per cent to 1.5pc to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The current construction activity would add 1,272 kilometres of roads to the existing motorway network in the country.

The prime minister instructed the NHA to prepare comprehensive plans for extending Pakistan’s road network to enhance connectivity with Central Asian states in the first phase and later expanding roads links to South Asia during the second phase.

Pace and quality of the work by the NHA was also appreciated by the premier on the occasion and he directed to maintain international standards in the quality of road construction.

The 3,000-km corridor running from Pakistan's southern Gwadar port on the Arabian Sea to China's western Xinjiang region, was launched in April during President Xi Jinping’s visit to Islamabad despite India’s strong objections

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Azhar Malik

Aug 29, 2015 10:05pm

Excellent PM. You are in the right direction to change fate of the country and nation.

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Iqbal

Aug 29, 2015 10:06pm

Great; simultaneous construction of facilities astride the new roads will be much needed as per international standard, and appreciated.

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Rashid Ishaq

Aug 29, 2015 10:12pm

This is great to know; we residents of Chakwal are suffering from ongoing construction on Mandra to Chakwal road. I hope it will be completed sooner than what PM advised to NHA

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HMR

Aug 29, 2015 10:21pm

Good step... Much appreciated PM you earned my RESPECT- Do more in education as well

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bb-passport

Aug 29, 2015 10:42pm

The man of road networks. Undoubtedly the modern road network contributes towards development of any country and ultimately towards prosperity. Thumbs up NS. No Delivery --> No Vote in 2018.

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Morad786

Aug 29, 2015 10:43pm

Keep up the good work.

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Sajid Syed

Aug 29, 2015 11:02pm

Imran Khan is a pawn in the army-chess-game. He is talking of dharma for the removal of ECP. I repeat something bigger is, is cooking. Sharif II is preparing for a major takeover (coup!) before his retirement in 2016. Over to you Dawn!!

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Haider

Aug 29, 2015 11:10pm

Can this guy think other than roads.

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Ghark pukhton

Aug 29, 2015 11:29pm

"Despite India's strong objections" I didn't get this. And why would India object?? And why would Pakistan care if India object. I don't know.

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RA Khan

Aug 29, 2015 11:44pm

PM should be directing concern authorities for the same on all OPF projects.

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fazli azeem khan

Aug 29, 2015 11:55pm

How about paying money (commercial value ) to the people who's land has been grabbed for these projects.

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Nabeel

Aug 30, 2015 12:00am

Mr Prime Minister, there is a serious Priority Issue here as always with your administration. Your first duty is to provide the Citizens the Basic Infrastructure (Food, Safety, Education & Healthcare as priorities). No doubt the Roads, Bridges, Metro's and Tunnels are critical but that can be done with Public Private Partnerships(PPP). Not only that will create jobs in the private sector but will also offer sustainable environment.

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abid

Aug 30, 2015 12:49am

wonderful ... good infrastructure holds key to proress...

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Kaka

Aug 30, 2015 12:52am

Wonderful and real development. NS is really Sher Shah Sori of 21st century.

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Karachiite

Aug 30, 2015 01:00am

Please complete our Lyari Express way on priority.

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Ridwan

Aug 30, 2015 01:01am

@Haider He's thinking infrastructure. Roads, rails, dams, power plants, metro bus. Infrastructure is needed for a country to grow. So I for one am happy that Pakistan has a pm who understands how to grow a third world economy.

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MSAlvi

Aug 30, 2015 01:02am

@Haider No he cannot.

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MSAlvi

Aug 30, 2015 01:09am

Mr. PM, stop this nonsense, wake up. Can't you think of anything other than roads? Roads are needed, but they are not priority at this time. Frankly, you are doing roads because there is bigger commission for everybody.

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Alpha Beta

Aug 30, 2015 01:17am

Infrastructure development is key to economic prosperity. We see this throughout Europe. The PM is right.

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Gaz

Aug 30, 2015 01:19am

I order the completion before 2017. How simple is this PM does he really think by simply giving an order it will mean the work will be completed by that date.

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Harmony-1

Aug 30, 2015 01:40am

@Ghark pukhton - Ask Modi why he objected to Xi Jinping?

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Mohammed

Aug 30, 2015 02:28am

@Nabeel my friend Nabeel, there is no profit in providing health and education to the masses while on the other hand-----

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Saleem malik.belgium

Aug 30, 2015 02:48am

Be patient and let pakistan move towards. It's easy to criticise .I see the army is helping out a lot to the present government, atleast we are beginning to see light at the end of tunnel. It's hard specially in the state we have put our self in.pray for pakistan and let them make roads bridges at least mony is being spent instead of being smuggled out of t he country. Pak zindabaad

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Malveros

Aug 30, 2015 03:04am

Fantastic PM Sahib. Keep marching ahead to link all of Pakistan together by road network. This will definitely bring prosperity to low developed regions.

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Sam I Am

Aug 30, 2015 03:29am

Roads create jobs, improve connectivity and market access. The highways are the backbone of the American economy. Keep up the good work and let haters hate Mr. PM. The were a lot of people like the ones complaining here when the motorway was built and now the same people enjoy it's benefits and praise it.

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Humza

Aug 30, 2015 03:47am

@Haider At least this guy gets things done and has improved Pakistan's economy. By improving infrastructure like motorways, the country can welcome more investment and create jobs. That's why the West is now upbeat about Pakistan's economy after so many years.

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NINO

Aug 30, 2015 04:03am

Thank God some work is being done in the country. Improving infrastructure always results in improving the life style of all classes of country's population. For the first time after several years, people have begun feeling buoyant. A transformation in the country is becoming apparent. Good luck to the present team at the top and a salute to soldier no. 1.

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Tamza

Aug 30, 2015 04:06am

IF 'a directive' would solve the problem. WHY doesnt he issue directives for fixing ALL the problems. Load shedding. Healthcare. Kashmir. Al he know is to 'take notice' and take 'trips to interesting places for MOUs'.

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Anwar Amjad

Aug 30, 2015 04:15am

@Nabeel The development of road and railway networks in the country is as important as other public facilities like educational and healthcare institutions.

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Kamran Maik

Aug 30, 2015 04:57am

Appreciate endeavours by PM. The people who complain are those, who have nothing else but to crib. Someone should ask that which sectors developed during the last two regimes? Those who are complaining, don't have the vision to foresee how it is going to change the landscape of this country. Inshallah!!! Keep it up PM....and all the best

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Philosopher (from Japan)

Aug 30, 2015 05:57am

What these roads will do if the Economy is taking last breaths in ICU.

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TechnoKraft

Aug 30, 2015 06:05am

Roads (access) is the key to development KKH connects to the Pamir Highway in Tajikistan via China. Terrain is easier to travel beyond Khunjerab Cruises & Under Sea Tunnel are needed from Gwadar to Muscat, from where you can rent a car to drive to Dubai High Speed Bullet train needed from Urumqi to Islamabad and Istanbul to Gwadar via Tehran

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azi ahmed

Aug 30, 2015 06:07am

What about the biggest infra structure issue......ELECTRICITY ???????????????????????????UN-Interrupted Electricity, Cheap and un interrupted electricity, Mr PM that should be your priority number one.

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Zak

Aug 30, 2015 06:33am

Dr PM , you are the best there is.

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Hasan

Aug 30, 2015 07:25am

Good work, please keep it up Prime Minister. We need to understand there are two options for the govt i.e either to feed basic need of masses like health, education and income support program or the second option is to prioritise infrastructure project. Infrastructure project specially road connectivity are far more important as they empower masses to promote their skills, find better job and to do business, which at the end of the day bring far more prosperity in the country. If you dont agree than please look at the economy of the area around existing motorway. The employment has drastically gone up, local gdp has gone up and so many business opportunities have come up. May god give this govt the strength to complete there projects and survive this time of crises in the country. Inshallah.

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Faisal Bajwa

Aug 30, 2015 07:55am

Is there any chance that by 2017 the people of Tharparker could get drinkable water pipeline if not an irrigation canal?

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IBN E ASHFAQUE

Aug 30, 2015 09:19am

@HMR Education by NS. You must be joking. We need Metros and Motorways......Education, electricity law & order and governance can all wait.

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IBN E ASHFAQUE

Aug 30, 2015 09:21am

@abid Without education infrastructure will not take you very far. Good commissions, and fat tenders in infrastructure ofcourse.

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MHamza

Aug 30, 2015 09:26am

Indian objections are always on any progressive step of Pak so we should ignore their nonsense. Well, its gud decision that Pakistan is also focusing on Central asian states

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Imran AB

Aug 30, 2015 10:12am

Somehow people of Pakistan need to understand that infrastructure development improves economy and reduces the farm to market market losses (40%) in Pakistan and also reduces the cost and improves the quality. It also improves the chances of employment in smaller towns and villages thus reducing the exodus of the workers from the hinterlands.

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Khan

Aug 30, 2015 10:37am

Infrastructure is key to economic development. Pakistan has been suffering on all fronts for a long time be it energy, security, economy and foriegn affairs. The recovery is going to be slow that involves concerted effors in all these areas. We all need to be realistics while setting our expectations from the government. I believe there are positive vibes and things are moving in the right direction Good Work! and remember that we are watching you closely and if no delivery then no vote.

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Aug 30, 2015 12:03pm

@Haider Have any other CM/PM have delivered even the roads?

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darvesh hashmani

Aug 30, 2015 01:10pm

i like to read daily dawn every day. the dawn news paper still maintained the quality of news as compared with the others.

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