Islamabad: Pakistan has formally approached China for financing of the Rs116.634 billion Khwazakhela-Besham Expressway project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), according to official documents reviewed by Wealth Pakistan.
The proposed 48-kilometre expressway, which will connect Khwazakhela in Swat district with Besham in Shangla district, was presented to the Chinese side during the 12th CPEC Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting on transport held on May 12, 2026. The project is expected to improve regional connectivity and strengthen road infrastructure in northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Documents obtained by Wealth Pakistan show that the revised PC-I under CSR-2025 was submitted through the Integrated Project Appraisal System (IPAS) to the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives on March 31, 2026. The proposal has been forwarded for consideration by the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) and the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC).
The project has undergone several revisions since its initial approval. The original PC-I, approved by ECNEC in July 2022, estimated the cost at Rs79.13 billion.
Subsequent engineering assessments and changes in project design increased the estimated cost to Rs137.711 billion under a revised proposal prepared in 2024. Following directions from the CDWP, project expenditures were reviewed and rationalized, reducing the cost to Rs123.94 billion before it was further revised to Rs116.634 billion in the latest proposal.
Major engineering component
According to project documents, the expressway will consist of approximately 36 kilometres of a new fenced greenfield route, while the remaining 12 kilometres will involve upgrading sections that overlap with the existing road network.
The project includes seven tunnels with a combined length of about 9.8 kilometres. The longest tunnel is planned to extend 7.5 kilometres, while additional tunnels ranging from 0.18 kilometres to 0.63 kilometres are also part of the design.
Infrastructure plans also include 45 bridges with a cumulative length of 9.4 kilometres, five flyovers, and 52 box culverts.
The expressway is designed as a two-lane facility with lane widths of 3.65 metres and three-metre shoulders on both sides. The route has been planned for operating speeds of up to 60 kilometres per hour.
Presented under CPEC framework
The Khwazakhela-Besham Expressway has been divided into four construction packages to facilitate implementation and project management.
The project was presented to Chinese authorities as part of ongoing transport-sector cooperation under the CPEC framework. If approved for financing, it would become one of the key road infrastructure schemes aimed at improving connectivity between Swat Valley and the Karakoram Highway corridor.
Officials say the project is intended to support safer travel, reduce journey times, and strengthen transport links in the region while contributing to broader economic development objectives.
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