Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Imran Khan inaugurated Hakla-Dera Ismail Khan Motorway today. The project is an important component of the Western Route of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. It is to recall that the Western Route of this corridor is being completed on priority basis. With the completion of the motorway, all areas from Islamabad to Dera Ismail Khan have been connected to the country's network of motorways and national highways. This has paved the track to usher in a new era of socio-development in such areas.
The cost of this 293 km long motorway is more than Rs 110 billion. All the available resources were utilized for the timely completion of this motorway through difficult hilly areas and that of the Indus. The project includes construction of 11 interchanges, 36 bridges, 33 flyovers and 119 underpasses.
To facilitate the construction of this 4-lane motorway, it was divided into five packages. With the completion of this motorway, Dera Ismail Khan will emerge as a business hub for North Punjab, South Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Mango and date production is of world class. Completion of this motorway will facilitate the delivery of agricultural commodities to major markets.
The Hakla-Dera Ismail Khan Motorway is not only an important part of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) but, all the areas connected to this easy and convenient route have also come very close to each other. This motorway is useful for the southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan and for the access to Gwadar sea port as well.
An integrated communications system plays an important role in the overall economic and social development and promoting national unity. The development process starts automatically with the construction and expansion of roads. In addition, Pakistan has an ideal geographical location on the world map, which makes Pakistan a regional hub in the region from a trade point of view. Government is paying special attention to the development and expansion of communications sector so as to pave the way for a strong economic structure in the country.
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