ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced that the road in Balochistan, often referred to as the “bloody track,” will be converted into a highway built to motorway standards.
Speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Jinnah Square underpass in Islamabad, the prime minister said that the dangerous road has so far claimed nearly 2,000 lives. The government is now transforming it into a safe and modern highway. He said the project would be completed within two years at an estimated cost of over Rs300 billion.
The prime minister said that those opposing road projects in Balochistan are narrow-minded, and the government will complete the highway connecting Karachi, Qalat, Khuzdar, and Quetta with top-quality standards. He added that the people of Balochistan deserve a development project that resonates with all ethnic groups of the country.
Shehbaz Sharif also announced that Balochistan’s share in the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award has been doubled to support the province’s development further. “Taking all provinces along is the joint vision of the government and the armed forces, and thanks to teamwork, the national economy has stabilized,” he said.
He also spoke about the ongoing development and beautification projects in Islamabad, noting that traffic flow in the capital has significantly improved. He congratulated Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi for his efforts in implementing these initiatives.
It is worth mentioning that a few days ago, the prime minister had announced that instead of passing on the benefits of reduced oil prices directly to the public, the funds would be utilized for the dualization of Balochistan’s vital N-25 highway.
