News
Pakistan Nears Completion of 16 Major Road and Highway Projects
By Mariam Khan
Real Estate Analyst
3 min read
A high-level review chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has been told that 16 major road and highway projects of the National Highway Authority (NHA) are in their final stages and are expected to be ready for inauguration soon. The portfolio covers national highways, G.T. Road sections, interchanges, additional carriageways and other connectivity projects across Pakistan. Among those highlighted is the G.T. Road upgrade from T-Chowk, Islamabad to Banth, along with other road-remodelling and expansion schemes. The government has directed the NHA to accelerate completion of the remaining work.
Why "Final Stages" Is Not a Completion Date
The review says the projects are expected to be ready for inauguration "soon", without giving dates, costs or the names of most of the 16 projects. Official statements of this kind describe the state of progress, and the opening of any one project depends on its remaining work. The direction to accelerate the remaining work suggests that some work is still outstanding.
Why the G.T. Road Upgrade From T-Chowk to Banth Is the Named Corridor
The only project the reports name in detail is the G.T. Road upgrade from T-Chowk in Islamabad to Banth. G.T. Road is a main route between Islamabad, Rawalpindi and the north, and we have seen how disruption on it affects traffic, for example in our report on the M-1, M-14 and G.T. Road closures. The reports do not give the length, cost or expected opening date of this section.
Why This Adds to the NHA Projects We Have Been Tracking
Earlier in the month we reported on an NHA review in which the Lodhran–Multan Expressway, Peshawar Northern Bypass and Pindi Bhattian–Faisalabad Motorway expansion were set to be inaugurated. Whether those three are among the 16 is not stated in the reports we have, so we have not assumed it. The same period also saw the Prime Minister's order for third-party audits of all ongoing NHA projects, which could affect how quickly projects are signed off.
Why Completed Highways Matter for Property
Completion of highways, interchanges and additional carriageways can improve accessibility and stimulate land development, housing, commercial activity, logistics and industrial property demand along upgraded corridors and interchanges. That is a general effect and not a forecast for any named location. Land prices near planned or nearly completed roads often rise ahead of opening, which makes it risky to buy on expectation alone.
What This Means for Owners, Developers and Commuters
Owners and developers near the T-Chowk–Banth section and other upgraded corridors should wait for the NHA's announcements on opening dates before assuming a change in access or value. Commuters should expect announcements as projects are inaugurated. Official updates are published by the NHA and the Prime Minister's Office.