The government has conditionally approved funds amounting to Rs415 billion for the rehabilitation and dualization of the Balochistan Expressway, commonly referred to as the “killer road.” This funding will be sourced through an Rs8 per liter levy on petrol and high-speed diesel, as per the Ministry of Planning officials.
The three identified sections for redevelopment span a total of 692 kilometers, with the goal of enhancing safety, improving connectivity, and unlocking economic development opportunities. The construction is expected to be completed within three years. Once accomplished, the project will establish a dual carriageway connecting Karachi and Quetta.
The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) has granted preliminary approval for the project, which now awaits final review by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC). The CDWP raised concerns about cost alignment, road alignment plans, and land acquisition, which the National Highway Authority must address before the ECNEC ruling. Chaired by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, the CDWP emphasized the urgency and importance of this initiative.
The Karachi-Quetta-Chaman stretch spans 278 kilometers and will require Rs183.4 billion, with Rs33 billion allocated for the 2025 fiscal year. However, meeting the three-year completion timeline will necessitate increasing annual allocations to Rs75 billion in the coming years.
The Khuzdar-Kuchlak section, covering 332 kilometers, will cost Rs99 billion. Already, 52% of this section is completed, with the remainder expected to be finalized within the next two years. The lower cost reflects contracts awarded in 2021 that locked in more favorable terms.
The Karoro Wadh & Khuzdar-Chaman sections, stretching 104 kilometers, will require Rs133 billion. Currently, Rs33 billion has been set aside for 2025, but timely completion will necessitate Rs50 billion in funding annually for the next two fiscal years.
This rehabilitation project aligns with the government’s broader commitment to infrastructure development. For FY 2025, Rs1 trillion has been allocated to the Federal Public Sector Development Programme, including Rs210 billion designated for Balochistan projects.
The additional Rs8 per liter levy introduced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in April to fund these roads has drawn criticism due to already high petrol prices, exacerbated by various taxes and levies. Despite this opposition, PM Shehbaz has reaffirmed his commitment to the successful completion of these projects, emphasizing their significance in ensuring safer travel and fulfilling the connectivity aspirations of the people of Balochistan.
