And PM’s visit to Sindh
- Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif announced the official start of construction on the Karachi-Chaman highway on Wednesday, January 15, 2026, with a revised completion timeline of one year,...
- The Karachi-Chaman highway,frequently called a "bloody road" due to its historically high accident rate,has been a long-standing infrastructure priority for Pakistan.
- Prior to the accelerated timeline, the Ministry of Communications had initially proposed a two-year completion schedule for the project.
Karachi-Chaman Highway Construction Commences, Completion Accelerated
Table of Contents
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif announced the official start of construction on the Karachi-Chaman highway on Wednesday, January 15, 2026, with a revised completion timeline of one year, substantially faster than the initially projected two years.
Project Background and Prior Concerns
The Karachi-Chaman highway,frequently called a “bloody road” due to its historically high accident rate,has been a long-standing infrastructure priority for Pakistan. The highway spans approximately 850 kilometers and connects Karachi to Chaman, a key border crossing with Afghanistan.
Prior to the accelerated timeline, the Ministry of Communications had initially proposed a two-year completion schedule for the project. The Prime Minister’s intervention aims to expedite the improvements to this vital transportation corridor.
Foundation Stone Laying and Recent developments
The foundation stone for the highway’s reconstruction was recently laid in Quetta, as confirmed by Prime Minister Sharif during an address to the federal cabinet. This event formally marked the beginning of the construction phase.
The acceleration of the project from two years to one year demonstrates a commitment to improving infrastructure and reducing risks associated with the historically dangerous road.
Significance of the Highway
The Karachi-Chaman highway is a crucial artery for trade and transportation, particularly for goods moving between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Improving the highway’s safety and efficiency will have a positive impact on regional commerce and connectivity.
The highway’s previous condition contributed to numerous accidents, causing meaningful economic losses and human suffering. The expedited completion of the project is expected to mitigate these issues.