Islamabad, April 17, 2025: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said the people of Pakistan had fully endorsed the government’s decision to channel savings from declining international petroleum prices into the development of Balochistan.
Addressing a ceremony after performing the groundbreaking of the Jinnah Square Murree Road Underpass project, the prime minister said the initiative would help transform the historically dangerous “bloody track”—which has claimed over 2,000 lives—into a modern, international-standard highway.
He emphasized that the dualization of the N-25 highway, connecting Chaman, Quetta, Kalat, Khuzdar, and Karachi, was more than just a road project—it was a “gift” to Balochistan. “This highway will match national motorways in quality, ensuring safety, improved transport, and economic uplift for the region,” he said.
PM Sharif noted that while the project was initially estimated at Rs 214 billion in 2022–23, revised costs now exceed Rs 300 billion. Despite this, he affirmed it would be completed within two years. “This road will become a path to development, linking Balochistan’s underserved areas with the economic hub of Karachi,” he added.
He dismissed critics of the initiative as narrow-minded and insincere to the people of Balochistan, asserting that balanced development across provinces is essential for national progress.
Regarding Islamabad’s underpass project, the prime minister praised the efforts of the city’s management under Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, noting improvements in traffic flow and city beautification. He welcomed Naqvi’s assurance that the underpass would be completed in 35 days, ahead of its 60-day schedule.
PM Sharif also highlighted progress on the economic front, citing improved macroeconomic indicators and a recent credit rating upgrade by Fitch as evidence of the government’s performance.
Interior Minister Naqvi announced that the Capital Development Authority (CDA) is preparing an extensive plan to ease traffic congestion, especially in commercial zones. He also urged the prime minister to allocate at least 500 personnel for a dedicated traffic police cadre in Islamabad.
