Pakistan has unveiled an ambitious $1.5 billion plan to upgrade the notorious National Highway 25 (N-25), often dubbed the “killer highway,” which connects Karachi to Quetta and plays a strategic role in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative
After lengthy delays and some 7,000 accidents recorded annually, it will take three years to upgrade the N-25 highway to a properly divided dual carriageway. (File photo by Reuters).
The project, which includes road expansion and safety upgrades, is set to be financed through a recently approved fuel levy. The highway, stretching over 813 km through Balochistan, has long been criticised for its hazardous conditions, high accident rates, and lack of modern infrastructure. It is one of Pakistan’s most dangerous and underdeveloped roads, despite serving as a crucial lifeline for trade, travel, and cross-border commerce with Iran and Afghanistan.
Federal Minister for Communications, Asad Mahmood, described the N-25 expansion as a “transformational investment in safety, commerce, and regional connectivity.” Speaking at the project’s launch, he said:
“For too long, the people of Balochistan have suffered due to the neglect of this vital road. This expansion is more than infrastructure — it’s a commitment to economic inclusion, safety, and national unity.”
The upgrade will see the road widened from two lanes to four, with enhanced safety features, improved signage, and rest areas, especially in accident-prone zones. Officials say this will reduce road accidents, cut travel time, and improve logistics efficiency for goods moving between Gwadar Port and other parts of the country.
The initiative is also being positioned as a key component of Pakistan’s pledge to modernise trade infrastructure under CPEC. Officials say the N-25 upgrade will facilitate smoother transportation of goods from Gwadar to China’s western regions, enhancing the strategic utility of Pakistan’s transport network.
However, some economists have raised concerns about the use of fuel levies to fund such a large-scale project amid rising inflation. But the government maintains the levy is a necessary measure.
“As a nation, we must invest in long-term solutions. This road has taken too many lives — now it must become a symbol of development,” Minister Mahmood added.
