Islamabad, June 26, 2025: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz termed the ongoing transport infrastructure campaign as the most expansive in the province’s history, involving development, upgradation, and restoration of 18,700 kilometers of roads covering 1,471 routes.
During a top-level session centered on the Communication and Works (C&W) Department, the chief minister examined a comprehensive progress update concerning both roads and building schemes. It was shared that 12,000 kilometers of roadwork on 1,214 routes have been finalized so far, and the full initiative is expected to conclude by December.
Emphasizing cost-effectiveness, officials highlighted that 97% of the designated budget has been productively spent. Infrastructure amounting to Rs600 billion has been executed at a significantly reduced expenditure of Rs70 billion, made possible through enhanced project oversight and planning.
An important budgetary achievement includes a 20% average cut in contract prices—accomplished for the first time in the province’s infrastructure history. The administration has also resolved to transition from the outdated contractor framework to a digital toll system. Furthermore, 29 routes have been shortlisted for Public-Private Partnership (PPP) ventures, with contracts already secured for nine of these.
In terms of building and civic works, 1,193 projects have been completed so far, including:
- Finalization of the first phase of health facility enhancements,
- Construction of Samanabad General Hospital and Sahiwal Teaching Hospital, and
- Establishment of agri-malls in four urban centers.
Other notable industrial efforts such as the Garment City project in Quaid-e-Azam Industrial Park and the PCCI-III developments in Multan, Bahawalpur, and Sargodha are either wrapped up or nearing completion.
READ MORE: Punjab Allocates Rs1.24 Trillion for Transport, Roads
To ensure consistency in quality, the government has utilized modern tracking tools like Road Surface Profilers, Ground Penetration Radars, and Fast Falling Weight Deflectometers to evaluate road durability.
Key developments under assessment include:
- Quaid-e-Azam to Wagah Tourism Corridor
- Adiala Overhead Bridge
- GPO Mall Underpass
- Kartarpur Corridor
- Multan–Vehari Dual Carriageway
- Faisalabad–Chiniot Road
The chief minister also approved new expressway projects such as the Layyah–Bhakkar–M3 and M4 linkage.
READ MORE: Rs1,000bn Development Plan Prioritizes Roads & Power
Looking forward, the government has revealed 313 new infrastructure schemes worth Rs255 billion for the next financial cycle.
The road network expansion spans across various regions of Punjab:
- Northern Punjab: Jhelum (190 km), Attock (340 km), Sargodha (860 km), Mianwali (220 km), Bhakkar (570 km), Gujrat (360 km)
- Central Punjab: Mandi Bahauddin (230 km), Hafizabad (120 km), Gujranwala (390 km), Sialkot (230 km), Lahore (40 km)
- Southern Punjab: Bahawalpur (620 km), Bahawalnagar (450 km), Rahim Yar Khan (670 km), Rajanpur (250 km), DG Khan (605 km), Muzaffargarh (610 km)
- Other Urban Areas: Faisalabad (620 km), Jhang (370 km), Chiniot (180 km), Okara (330 km), Lodhran (140 km), Khanewal (400 km), Vehari (270 km), Sahiwal (280 km), Pakpattan (210 km), Sheikhupura (160 km), Nankana Sahib (190 km), Narowal (200 km)
In her address at the briefing, CM Maryam Nawaz stated; “Roads that remained neglected for three decades are now finally under construction. This transformation is not just about laying asphalt—it’s about delivering quality using the most advanced technology available.”
She conveyed her approval of the project’s momentum and commended Provincial Minister Sohaib Bharth and Secretary Sohail Ashraf for their commitment and supervision. She also instructed that all current initiatives be concluded within this fiscal year.
