In a major development for Pakistan’s national infrastructure and regional trade, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has unveiled a Rs. 300 billion mega-project to upgrade the 790-kilometer Karachi-Quetta-Chaman Highway (N-25) into a modern, 4-lane dualized expressway.
Long criticized as a high-risk transit corridor due to narrow lanes and high accident rates, the upgraded Karachi-Chaman Expressway is set to transform trade routes linking the Arabian Sea to Central Asia.
Key Highlights of the Expressway Project
- Drastic Travel Time Reduction: Travel time between Karachi Port and the Chaman border on the Afghan frontier will be slashed from 18 hours down to 6–8 hours.
- Funded via Energy Savings: The Rs. 300 billion project is being financed through national energy savings and federal development allocations.
- Strict Timeline: The Prime Minister has directed the National Highway Authority (NHA) and relevant bodies to execute the project within a strict 2-year deadline.
- Urban Bypasses: To prevent urban bottlenecks, dedicated bypasses will be constructed around all major cities and towns along the 790-kilometer alignment.
Impact on Trade and Safety across Balochistan & Sindh
The N-25 highway serves as the economic backbone for freight moving between Balochistan, Sindh, and landlocked Central Asian states. Modernizing this corridor into a dualized expressway addresses two critical areas:
1. Enhanced Road Safety & Accident Reduction
The existing two-lane N-25 route has faced severe safety challenges for years, earning a reputation for frequent head-on collisions involving heavy freight trucks. Constructing central dividers, modern signage, proper grading, and 4-lane capacity will significantly reduce fatal accidents and protect transit traffic.
2. Economic Boost for Local & Regional Trade
By connecting Karachi Port and Port Qasim directly to the Chaman border crossing, the expressway accelerates import-export loops, lowers logistics overheads, and creates new economic opportunities across towns in Sindh and Balochistan.
