Pakistan, July 26 -- The federal government has approved the construction of three major sections of the Balochistan Expressway (N-25), costing Rs415 billion. The project covers 692 kilometers and aims to improve connectivity between Quetta and Karachi. Funding will come from an Rs8 per liter levy on petrol and diesel, introduced earlier this year.

The Central Development Working Party (CDWP), chaired by Minister Ahsan Iqbal, cleared these projects but flagged issues regarding road alignment and land acquisition. These concerns must be resolved before final approval by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC). The CDWP can approve projects up to Rs7.5 billion, so larger projects require ECNEC's nod.

The plan incl...