QUETTA: A two-member bench of the Balochistan High Court (BHC), comprising Chief Justice Muhammad Kamran Khan Mulakhail and Justice Muhammad Najamuddin Mengal, directed the National Highway Authority (NHA) on Wednesday to take effective measures to provide facilities to travellers, ensure plantation and supply drinking water along national highways, particularly the N-25 and N-50.

The BHC issued these instructions while hearing a constitutional petition.

In compliance with the court’s order dated April 9, NHA Balochistan Member (West Zone) Basharat Hussain appeared before the court.

He informed the court that the NHA chairman had recently been transferred and the post was currently vacant.

Court orders plantation of trees, drinking water, rest and prayer areas along N-25, N-50

He sought additional time to submit a report on the physical progress of ongoing development works on the N-25 and N-50 highways and compliance with orders issued by the court on different dates.

During the hearing, the court observed that there was a considerable distance between the two proposed rest areas, necessitating further measures to provide basic facilities to people travelling on national highways.

Solar tube-wells

The court also directed that solar-powered tube-wells be installed along the highways to facilitate plantation on both sides of the roads and provide clean drinking water to travellers as well as residents.

The court further directed that suitable locations be designated for separate rest and prayer areas for travellers. It stressed that such facilities should be provided in a manner that enables disadvantaged communities, particularly residents of remote areas, to benefit from them.

The court ordered that work on these projects should be initiated on a priority basis.

The court also directed the formulation of practical and appropriate policy guidelines to ensure the provision of small business centres and other essential facilities according to travellers’ needs, including the leasing or renting of adjoining land of proposed tube-wells and rest areas under suitable terms and conditions.

The court observed that providing the­se basic facilities along national highways would not only facilitate travellers but also help meet the needs of local people.

The court ordered that a copy of the decision be forwarded through the offices of the additional attorney general, additional advocate general and the NHA’s counsel to the relevant authorities for information and compliance.

The court adjourned the hearing of the case until Nov 23.

Published in Dawn, September 24th, 2026