ISLAMABAD, Aug 6 (ABC): The government has spent more than Rs163 billion on nine under-construction China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) road projects in Balochistan’s western zone since the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2022-23, against total allocations exceeding Rs310 billion.
According to official data available with Wealth Pakistan, the nine projects received a combined allocation of Rs310.30 billion between PSDP 2022-23 and PSDP 2026-27. Releases and expenditures reached Rs163.17 billion during the period.
The projects cover key sections of National Highways N-25, N-30 and N-50, as well as the M-8 Motorway, aiming to improve regional connectivity and strengthen CPEC transport infrastructure in Balochistan.
N-25 receives the largest share
The largest allocation of Rs82.6 billion went to the 330-kilometre Khuzdar-Kuchlak section of National Highway N-25. Releases and expenditures on the project reached Rs40.67 billion.
Another Rs81 billion was allocated for the 187-kilometre Kararo-Wadh and Kuchlak-Chaman sections of N-25, with releases and expenditures amounting to Rs25.29 billion.
The 273-kilometre Karachi-Kararo and Wadh-Khuzdar sections of N-25 received Rs63 billion. The government has released and spent Rs33.54 billion on the project so far.
Progress on M-8 and other highways
Among the M-8 Motorway projects, the 168-kilometre Awaran-Naal section received an allocation of Rs26.03 billion. Releases and expenditures reached Rs20.02 billion.
The 146-kilometre Hoshab-Awaran section was allocated Rs14.79 billion, while spending and releases stood at Rs9.40 billion.
The remaining projects include the 103-kilometre Nokundi-Mashkel Road, which received Rs7.84 billion and recorded Rs6.90 billion in releases and expenditures.
The 22.7-kilometre Quetta Western Bypass on N-25 received Rs6.91 billion, with Rs5.95 billion released and spent.
The government allocated Rs13.55 billion for the 106-kilometre Basima-Khuzdar section of National Highway N-30. Releases and expenditures on the project reached Rs12.97 billion.
The 298-kilometre Zhob-Kuchlak section of National Highway N-50 received Rs14.58 billion, while spending and releases totalled Rs8.43 billion.
Overall investment
According to the official data, the government allocated Rs310.30 billion for the nine CPEC road projects in Balochistan’s western zone between PSDP 2022-23 and PSDP 2026-27.
During the same period, releases and expenditures reached Rs163.17 billion, reflecting continued investment in strategic transport infrastructure under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
