ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday approved converting 790-kilometre Ka­rachi-Chaman National Highway (N-25) into a high-quality Expressway. The move will reduce travel time from one point to another from 18 to 6 hours.

Presiding over a meeting to assess the progress on the construction and upgradation of the N-25, the prime minister said that the project was a cornerstone for socio-economic development of Balochistan.

“The upgrade of the Karachi-Chaman National High­way is not just a road project, it is a strategic lifeline for Balochistan’s prosperity,” PM Shehbaz said.

He said that instead of passing on the recent red­uction in petroleum product prices to the masses, the government decided to use those savings to fund the expressway project in Balochistan.

“All provinces suppor­t­­ed this move of the federal government, symbolising the national unity and a shared commitment to Ba­­lochistan’s uplift,” he added.

The prime minister said that once completed, the project will reduce travel time between Karachi and Chaman, from currently about 18 hours, to just six hours.

“This will boost up trade, transport and public convenience along the route,” the prime minister said.

During the meeting, strict instructions were issued to ensure top quality construction and completion of the project within two years.

The meeting was briefed that the expressway will be a four-lane, dual carriageway.

Construction on the Khuzdar-Mastung section has already commenced, and planning is underway for five segments between Karachi and Khuzdar.

Published in Dawn, May 7th, 2025