In a significant move to accelerate infrastructure development, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi has issued directives for the immediate commencement of construction on the Swat Motorway Phase II. Chairing a high-level review meeting on major road projects in Peshawar on Saturday, the CM declared this phase a flagship provincial initiative, assuring that all necessary resources would be provided on a priority basis to ensure its timely completion.
Major Road Projects Get Green Light
The high-level meeting, attended by top provincial bureaucrats, focused on the progress of three critical road sector projects: Swat Motorway Phase II, the Peshawar–Dera Ismail Khan Motorway, and the proposed Dir Motorway. Chief Minister Afridi instructed the concerned authorities to resolve any pending technical issues without delay to avoid any bottlenecks in the execution of these projects.
He announced that the groundbreaking ceremony for the much-anticipated Peshawar–Dera Ismail Khan Motorway would be held soon and directed all relevant departments to complete their preparatory work promptly. For the Dir Motorway, participants decided in principle that it would be constructed entirely through provincial government funding. Officials were instructed to fast-track all legal and administrative formalities to get the work started.
Project Details and Funding Models
Officials provided detailed briefings on the scope of the projects. The 80-kilometer Swat Motorway Phase II will run from the Chakdara Interchange to Fatahpur. This vital stretch will feature nine interchanges and seven bridges over the Swat River.
The even larger 365-kilometer Peshawar–Dera Ismail Khan Motorway is set to include 19 interchanges and two tunnels, significantly reducing travel time and improving access to the southern regions of the province.
Regarding financing, CM Afridi clarified that the Swat Motorway Phase II and the Peshawar–Dera Ismail Khan Motorway are being developed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. In contrast, the provincial exchequer will bear the full financial responsibility for the construction of the Dir Motorway.
Focus on Transparency and Regional Growth
Addressing the meeting, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi emphasized that his government is giving top priority to infrastructure development in remote and underserved areas. He stated that this focus is central to promoting sustainable economic growth and enhancing regional connectivity across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The Chief Minister also underscored that strict measures are being implemented to ensure the transparent and effective utilization of public funds in all these mega-projects. This move aims to build public trust and ensure that financial resources are directly contributing to developmental outcomes.
The meeting was attended by key officials including Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shahab Ali Shah, Additional Chief Secretary Planning and Development Ikramullah, and the secretaries of finance and communication and works, among other senior officers.
