ISLAMABAD, Oct 30 (ABC):Ten major highway projects in Balochistan, involving a combined approved PC-I cost of Rs644.06 billion, are scheduled for completion between 2026 and 2028.
According to official documents available with Wealth Pakistan, these projects are being implemented under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) to strengthen road connectivity, facilitate trade and improve transportation infrastructure across the province.
The documents show that three highway projects are scheduled for completion by December 2026, six others have completion deadlines in 2027, while one major project is expected to be completed in June 2028.
Among the projects nearing completion, the 22.7-kilometre dualisation of Quetta Western Bypass (N-25), costing Rs6.89 billion, has achieved 85% physical progress, with expenditure reaching Rs6.05 billion. The project is scheduled for completion in November 2026.
Similarly, the 103-kilometre Nokundi-Mashkel road project, with an approved cost of Rs7.71 billion, has achieved 79% progress. Expenditure on the project has reached Rs6.94 billion, with completion expected in December 2026.
The 79.89-kilometre Jhal Jhao-Bela Road project, costing Rs16.22 billion, has recorded 70% physical progress and expenditure of Rs13.87 billion. Its completion is also scheduled for December 2026.
The documents indicate that substantial investment is concentrated in the N-25 highway, a major transportation corridor connecting Karachi, Quetta and Chaman.
The 330.52-kilometre Khuzdar-Kuchlak section of N-25, with an approved PC-I cost of Rs98.90 billion, has achieved 61% physical progress, with Rs42.86 billion spent by September 2026. The project is scheduled for completion in December 2027.
Another major undertaking, the 273-kilometre Karachi-Kararo and Wadh-Khuzdar section, carries an approved cost of Rs183.42 billion. Expenditure has reached Rs36.53 billion, while physical progress stands at 19%, with completion targeted for December 2027.
Likewise, the 187-kilometre Kararo-Wadh and Kuchlak-Chaman section, costing Rs132.75 billion, has recorded expenditure of Rs30.07 billion and physical progress of 22%. Its completion is also scheduled for December 2027.
Meanwhile, the 168-kilometre Awaran-Naal section of M-8, with an approved cost of Rs32.24 billion, has achieved 52% physical progress. Expenditure on the project has reached Rs20.45 billion, with completion scheduled for June 2027.
The 146-kilometre Hoshab-Awaran road project, costing Rs25.84 billion, has achieved 64% progress, with Rs9.75 billion spent so far. The project is also expected to be completed by June 2027.
The dualisation and improvement of the N-50 from Yarik-Sagu to Zhob, including the Zhob Bypass, has an approved cost of Rs76.49 billion. However, physical progress stands at just 2%, with expenditure reaching Rs975 million. Its completion is scheduled for November 2027.
Looking ahead to 2028, the 305-kilometre Kuchlak-Zhob section of N-50 represents another major infrastructure investment, with an approved PC-I cost of Rs63.60 billion.
The project has achieved 16% physical progress, while expenditure reached Rs11.71 billion by September 2026. Its completion is scheduled for June 2028.