On July 18, 2025, Federal Minister for Privatisation Aleem Khan reviewed the latest developments on the 815-kilometre Karachi-Quetta-Chaman Expressway (N-25)—a critical infrastructure initiative designed to accelerate economic growth in Balochistan.
The National Highway Authority (NHA) announced that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will officially lay the foundation stone on August 14, 2025. The project is backed by Rs100 billion in funding allocated in the current fiscal year, primarily sourced through an Rs8 per litre petroleum levy.
The expressway is a significant upgrade of the historic RCD Highway, originally built in the 1960s. Once completed, the route will cut travel time by two-thirds, improving logistics and accessibility across the region. It will also include modern service areas equipped with rest stops, fuel stations, and vehicle workshops for truckers and travelers.
Aleem Khan stressed the importance of strong security measures, referencing the loss of 42 Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) workers during the construction of the N-85 in the past. A dedicated security force is now being established to ensure safe execution of the N-25 project.
Social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) have seen an outpouring of public optimism, with users pointing out how this expressway could become a vital link under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The NHA has also confirmed that the dualisation of the Hub bypass is underway, with additional lanes planned to accommodate increasing traffic in the future.
This initiative is projected to strengthen trade routes with Afghanistan and Central Asia, boosting regional integration and economic potential in Pakistan’s southwest.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, July 18th, 2025
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