Islamabad: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal chaired a key meeting with officials from the Ministry of Communications, National Highway Authority (NHA), and Frontier Works Organization (FWO) to review progress on the vital N-25 project.
During the briefing, NHA officials informed the Minister that following recommendations made on June 20 by the Minister for Communications, the dualization of the Hub Bypass had been incorporated into the revised PC-1, which is set to be submitted by July 2. The NHA also shared that bids from State-Owned Enterprises were invited on June 17, with bid opening scheduled for July 2
Providing an update, FWO reported that construction was underway in four sections, with 68% of the work completed on the 51 km Jiwa to Surab stretch.
Minister Ahsan Iqbal directed the NHA to complete all formalities promptly and announced that the groundbreaking ceremony for the expressway will be held on August 14, 2025. He also reviewed plans for establishing service areas, emphasizing the need for well-designed facilities to serve truckers, including rest areas, fuel stations, restaurants, and workshops. He instructed that trucking companies be consulted to determine optimal locations and suggested that among the mini service areas, some should be developed as larger hubs offering comprehensive amenities.
Highlighting security concerns, the Minister recalled the loss of 42 FWO workers during the construction of N-85 and stressed the need for robust security measures. He called on the Balochistan government to ensure the safety of Gwadar and the N-85 corridor, and proposed a dedicated security force for the N-25 aligned with project timelines.
Looking ahead, Ahsan Iqbal underscored planning for future expansion, urging that the expressway be built with provisions for upgrading to six lanes to accommodate growing regional traffic. Calling N-25 a lifeline connecting Sindh, Balochistan, and potentially Central Asia, he urged completion by August 2027, terming it a transformative milestone for Balochistan’s development.(PR)
