By Ijaz Kakakhel

At least 16 strategically important road projects across Pakistan are either delayed, awaiting additional funding, or require substantial financial support for completion, official data available with Wealth Pakistan shows.

Insufficient funding for these projects, including national highways, motorways, bypasses, interchanges, and regional connectivity schemes across Balochistan, Punjab, and other parts of the country, has delayed their completion and slowed down vital development.

Among the delayed projects is the Yarik-Sagu-Zhob Road, including the Zhob Bypass (11.7km) on N-50, with the estimated cost exceeding Rs76.4 billion. Although the contract has been awarded, the project is now expected to be completed by September 2027.

Similarly, the timelines of Rs32.244 billion Awaran–Naal section of the M-8 (168km) and the Rs25.835 billion Hoshab–Awaran M-8 project, both critical for connectivity in Balochistan, have been extended to June 2027.

The 298km Zhob-Kuchlak Road Project (N-50), costing over Rs63.6 billion, is among the largest schemes affected by funding constraints. Initiated in May 2021, the project is now expected to be completed by June 2028.

Several other projects in Balochistan, including the Nokundi-Mashkhel Road Project, Jhal Jhao Belw Road Project, and the Quetta Western Bypass Project, have also experienced delays despite their launch in 2021. The revised completion dates range from June to December 2026.

Infrastructure projects aimed at improving motorway access are also facing financial hurdles. The Abdul Hakeem Motorway Interchange at Essan, Sheikhupura, requires an additional Rs1.26 billion for completion, while the Bhong Interchange on M-5 needs nearly Rs1.45 billion to finish construction by June 2026.

According to the data, some projects have technically been completed but still require funds to clear outstanding liabilities and finalize accounts. These include the 8-lane overhead bridge at Imamia Colony Railway Crossing, Shahdara, the Kot Pindi Das Interchange on M-2, and a bridge on the Ravi River at Syedwala, which collectively require hundreds of millions of rupees for financial closure.

The Lahore-Multan Motorway (M-3 section), one of the country's flagship motorway projects, has been completed but still needs around Rs9 billion to settle pending liabilities.

Likewise, the government has proposed Rs15 billion in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2026-27 for the ambitious Lahore-Sahiwal-Bahawalnagar Motorway and Lahore Ring Road-Kasur Road link project, estimated to cost more than Rs263.8 billion.

Meanwhile, newer schemes such as the Narowal Link Highway, connecting the Lahore-Sialkot Motorway to Narowal, and the extension of Margalla Highway from GT Road to Motorway M-1, also require additional allocations of Rs8 billion and Rs6 billion, respectively, to meet their revised completion targets.

The delay in road projects will not only increase construction costs due to inflation but also postpone the economic benefits associated with improved transport networks, trade facilitation and regional connectivity. There is a need for the timely release of development funds to ensure that critical national infrastructure projects are completed without further delays.

Credit: INP-WealthPk