PM Shehbaz Orders Karachi Chaman Highway Completion in One Year
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday announced that work on the long-awaited Karachi–Chaman highway, often described as a “bloody road” because of frequent accidents, has formally begun and will now be completed within one year instead of the originally planned two years.
Addressing federal cabinet members ahead of the meeting, the prime minister said he had recently visited Quetta, where the foundation stone of the nearly 850-kilometer highway was laid. He said the Ministry of Communications had proposed a two-year completion period, but he had directed that the project be completed within one year.
“The project will cost approximately Rs400 billion and will be fully financed by the federal government,” he said.
The prime minister recalled that about six months ago, when international oil and petroleum prices were declining, the government decided to maintain domestic fuel prices. He said the savings from that decision were now being used to transform the hazardous highway into a road of prosperity.
PM Shehbaz said a Rs75 billion agricultural package for farmers had been completed, with Rs50 billion provided by the federal government. He said the initiative had addressed the long-standing issue of electricity theft in the province, adding that the installation of solar panels had enabled farmers to irrigate their lands independently and ensure sustainable agricultural activity.
The prime minister also announced progress on the establishment of Daanish schools in the province, saying construction had begun and contractors had been mobilized during the current month. He said five Daanish schools were already planned, while two more were announced during his visit, bringing the total to seven. He expressed confidence that all seven schools would be completed by the end of the year.
Shehbaz Sharif said up to 100,000 laptops were being distributed nationwide under the prime minister’s education programs, along with scholarships for thousands of deserving male and female students to pursue higher education and contribute to the country’s future development.
He said the government was working diligently to advance these initiatives and expressed satisfaction over improving economic stability. “Now, God willing, we will take further steps for development that will spur economic growth and place the country on the path of progress and prosperity,” he said.
The prime minister thanked stakeholders for their support and confidence in the government’s policies.
Later, during a discussion on the political and security situation, the prime minister said that following the success in Marka-e-Haq, demand for Pakistan’s defense equipment had increased. He said several countries were now in talks to acquire Pakistani military hardware and paid tribute to the armed forces and law enforcement agencies for their continued efforts and sacrifices in combating terrorism.
