Ahsan Iqbal directs preparations for N-25 project launch

July 02, 2025 (MLN): The formal launch of the N-25 Expressway project has been slated for July 14, following directives from Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal to the National Highway Authority to complete all necessary preparations.

Presiding over a progress review meeting in Islamabad, the Minister underscored the importance of constructing fully equipped service areas on both sides of the expressway.

These facilities, he stressed, should include rest zones, fuel stations, eateries, vehicle repair workshops, and other vital services, as per the press release issued.

To ensure the placement of service areas aligns with the needs of freight operations, Ahsan Iqbal instructed that feedback be obtained from trucking company representatives regarding optimal locations.

Highlighting security concerns, he recalled the tragic loss of 42 FWO personnel during the N-85 construction and urged the Balochistan government to ensure comprehensive protection for both Gwadar and the N-85 route.

He emphasized the necessity of forming a dedicated security force for the N-25 and aligning its deployment with the project’s timeline.

Planning for future traffic, the Minister directed that the expressway be developed with the flexibility for future expansion to six lanes.

Calling the N-25 a vital link between Sindh and Balochistan and a strategic corridor to Central Asia, Ahsan Iqbal described the project as a driver of Balochistan's socioeconomic uplift.

He instructed all stakeholders to ensure its completion by August 2027 and commit to making it a national landmark.

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