Islamabad: Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has instructed the National Highway Authority (NHA) to finalize all necessary preparations for the groundbreaking ceremony of the N-25 Expressway, scheduled for the 14th of next month.

According to Radio Pakistan, during a meeting held in Islamabad on Tuesday to assess the progress of the N-25 project, the Minister highlighted the importance of constructing well-equipped service areas along both sides of the expressway. These areas are intended to provide essential amenities such as rest areas, fuel pumps, restaurants, and vehicle workshops.

The Minister also emphasized the necessity of consulting with representatives from truck companies to identify optimal locations for these service areas, ensuring comprehensive services for truck drivers. Security was a significant concern, with the Minister noting the loss of 42 Frontier Works Organization (FWO) workers during the construction of the N-85. He stressed the importance of implementing stringent security measures and communicated these concerns to the Balochistan government, underscoring the need to secure Gwadar city and the N-85 route.

Furthermore, the Minister advised the establishment of a dedicated security force for the N-25, with deployment schedules matching the construction timeline. He also instructed that the expressway’s development should accommodate future expansion to six lanes to manage increased traffic flow in the coming decades.

Highlighting the N-25’s critical role as a transportation link between Sindh and Balochistan and as a potential gateway to Central Asia, Ahsan Iqbal reiterated its significance in boosting the socioeconomic development of Balochistan. He urged all stakeholders to complete the project by August 2027, emphasizing its importance as a landmark development for the nation.