ISLAMABAD: The National Highway Authority (NHA) has formally launched long-awaited construction work on the N-25 Highway, an 800-kilometre highway that will link Karachi, Quetta, and Chaman, significantly boosting mobility across Balochistan. The project, announced earlier this year by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, is being hailed as a transformative development for the province.
Chairing a review meeting on Thursday, Federal Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan described the N-25 Highway as a “strategic milestone” that will accelerate socio-economic growth in the country’s largest province. He underscored that improved road infrastructure would expand trade opportunities, enhance travel efficiency, and integrate remote regions into the national economic network.
During the briefing, officials updated the minister on the progress of various NHA projects in Balochistan, including the M-8, considered a crucial corridor for enhancing connectivity with Gwadar Port. Security arrangements and operational challenges related to construction activities across the province were also discussed.
Focus on Sindh Projects and Lyari Expressway
Reviewing projects in Sindh, the minister instructed authorities to expedite the remaining work on the Lyari Expressway. He said the NHA aimed to turn the expressway into a model road for Karachi, featuring dedicated landscaping, improved cleanliness, and modern beautification plans. Once completed, the expressway will be inaugurated by PM Shehbaz Sharif and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, he added.
You May Also Like: Jamal Shah Calls Out Bollywood’s ‘Fantasy Violence’ and Unrealistic Hero Culture
Rebuilding the ‘Killer Road’
The N-25 has long been labelled the “khooni road” (killer highway) due to frequent accidents. In May, Prime Minister Shehbaz approved its reconstruction at an estimated cost of Rs300–350 billion, emphasizing the need for top-quality work and timely completion within two years. Once reconstructed into a four-lane dual carriageway, the highway will reduce travel time dramatically—from 18 hours to just 6 hours between key points.
Aleem says highway to serve as “strategic milestone”, lead to socio-economic development. https://t.co/gP8s7f7v7v
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) December 5, 2025
Calling the Karachi–Chaman National Highway a “strategic lifeline for Balochistan’s prosperity”, the prime minister said the project would significantly boost trade, transport efficiency, and public convenience along the route.
Work on the N-25 is expected to reshape transportation across Balochistan, offering safer travel and unlocking new economic potential for the region.
