Latest news with #N-25
Business Recorder
02-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Minister asks to build N-25 as an expressway
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal directed concerned stakeholders to complete the Karachi-Chaman National Highway (N-25) into a high-standard expressway project by August 2027 and exert all their efforts in making it a landmark development milestone for the country. Calling for immediate completion of required formalities, the planning minister has directed the National Highways Authority (NHA) that the groundbreaking ceremony be scheduled for August 14, 2025. Iqbal, Monday, chaired a meeting with Ministry of Communications, NHA and Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) officials to review the progress of the N-25 project. During the meeting, the NHA officials briefed the minister on the project's status, highlighting that the dualisation of the Hub Bypass had been added to the revised PC-1 project, following the Minister for Communications' recommendation on June 20th. The revised PC-1 is expected to be submitted by July 2nd, they stated. Calling the N-25 a critical route for transportation between Sindh and Balochistan and a potential gateway for Central Asia, Minister Iqbal reaffirmed its potential to uplift the socioeconomic development of Balochistan. Earlier, in line with the minister's directives, NHA had invited bids from state-owned enterprises (SOEs) on June 17th, with bid opening scheduled on July 2nd. The Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) provided an update on the project's progress, stating that work is being carried out in four sections. Notably, 68 per cent of the work on the 51km stretch from Jiwa to Surab has already been completed. Calling for immediate completion of required formalities, the planning minister directed the NHA that the groundbreaking ceremony be scheduled for August 14, 2025. He also reviewed plans for construction of service areas along the expressway and emphasised the need for well-designed facilities catering to the needs of truckers. 'Well-equipped service areas should be constructed on both sides of the expressway, providing rest areas, fuel pumps, restaurants, vehicle workshops, and other essential amenities,' he stressed. The minister further directed that input be taken from representatives of truck companies to determine ideal locations for these service areas. Among the mini service areas to be constructed along the expressway, some of them should be larger, offering comprehensive services to truckers, stated the minister. Expressing concern over security, the minister stated that 42 FWO workers lost their lives during the construction of N-85. He emphasised the need for strict security measures and conveyed this to the Balochistan government, stressing that Gwadar city and N-85 must be secured under all circumstances. The minister also advised that a dedicated security force be established for N-25, with security deployment aligned with the work schedule. Furthermore, the planning minister emphasised the importance of considering potential future expansion of expressway lanes due to increased regional connectivity. 'Considering flow of traffic in the next few decades, the development of this expressway must be executed in a way that it's easier to expand it into six lanes, whenever needed in future,' stated the minister. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
15-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Govt skips fuel price cut, redirects funds to Balochistan projects
Listen to article Despite a decline in global oil prices, the federal government has decided not to reduce domestic petroleum rates, choosing instead to allocate the savings to key infrastructure and development projects in Balochistan, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on Tuesday. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during a federal cabinet meeting, announced that the funds saved from the global oil price dip would be used to dualise the strategic N-25 Highway — the Chaman–Quetta–Kalat–Khuzdar–Karachi route. 'The initiative is aimed to provide better travel facilities to the people of Balochistan,' the statement read. The prime minister directed that the restoration and expansion of the highway should be carried out to meet full motorway standards. In addition, a portion of the funds will be allocated to complete Phase 2 of the Kachhi Canal, which is expected to irrigate hundreds of acres of agricultural land in Balochistan. Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti, who attended the cabinet meeting, expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Sharif for prioritising development in the province, particularly the N-25 project and other long-awaited infrastructure efforts. Meanwhile, the cabinet also approved an amendment to the Petroleum Products (Petroleum Levy) Ordinance, 1961, as recommended by the Petroleum Division. The PMO said the amendment is expected to contribute to boosting national revenue. The decision comes as global oil markets face instability. Brent crude dropped 54 cents to $64.34 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate fell 57 cents to $60.96, amid lowered demand forecasts from both OPEC and the International Energy Agency (IEA), largely due to escalating trade tensions and fluctuating US tariff policies. In its last price review, the government had marginally reduced petrol prices by Re1 per litre, fixing them at Rs254.63, while keeping High-Speed Diesel (HSD) at Rs258.64 per litre through April 15, as per the Finance Division's notification.
