Islamabad, July 27, 2025: In a strategic move to uplift infrastructure in Pakistan’s underserved southwest, the federal government has conditionally approved the Balochistan Expressway Project (N-25), promising to reshape road travel between Karachi and Quetta.
The ambitious plan, estimated at Rs. 415 billion, will be financed through an additional Rs. 8 per liter levy on petrol and diesel, implemented earlier this year.
Massive 692 KM Road to Boost Regional Trade and Safety
The National Highway Authority (NHA) will carry out the construction over three key segments, totaling 692 kilometers. This development is expected to drastically reduce travel time, boost trade routes, and enhance road safety, especially on the notoriously hazardous Karachi-Quetta-Chaman corridor.
- Karachi–Quetta–Chaman (278 km): Rs. 183.4 billion cost with Rs. 33 billion allocated this year.
- Khuzdar–Kuchlak (332 km): Ongoing work, 52% completed; Rs. 34 billion allocated for FY 2024-25.
- Karoro Wadh to Khuzdar-Chaman (104 km): Rs. 133 billion, to be financed in FY 2025-26.
Petrol Prices Soar: The Hidden Cost of Infrastructure
To support the mega project, the government has added Rs. 8/liter to fuel prices on top of a Rs. 75 petroleum levy, 10% customs duty, and Rs. 2.5 climate levy—pushing petrol prices in Pakistan to Rs. 272 per liter. Despite public frustration, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif defended the decision, calling it “a long-overdue investment in Balochistan’s future.”
Project Delays and Funding Challenges
The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) has flagged several concerns, including land acquisition disputes, design alignment changes, and budget limitations. Without a significant increase in annual funding—potentially up to Rs. 75 billion—officials fear the timeline could slip beyond expectations.
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Balochistan Gets Major Slice of Federal Budget
The federal government has earmarked Rs. 210 billion out of its Rs. 1 trillion Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for Balochistan. The expressway alone is regarded as one of the largest infrastructure investments in the province’s history, reflecting a renewed focus on connecting remote areas with Pakistan’s economic hubs.
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The Balochistan Expressway Project is more than just a road—it’s a pathway to economic integration, safer travel, and long-overdue development in a region long left behind. However, the petrol price hike in Pakistan and unresolved bureaucratic hurdles may test public patience and government resolve alike.
