The Pakistan Government has sanctioned PKR22.78bn ($214m) for National Highway Authority (NHA) road construction projects under the Public Sector Development Sector (PSDP).

Out of the total amount, PKR4bn ($37m) has been allocated for a 230km section of Lahore-Abdul Hakeem Section of Karachi-Lahore Motorway (KLM), reported Associated Press of Pakistan citing sources.

Another PKR1.05bn ($9m) has been issued for the 387km Multan-Sukkur section of the KLM.

"Several of these road projects are expected to complete by the end of next year."

A total of PKR2.74bn ($25m) has been allocated for the 120km stretch from Thakot to Havelian, which is part of Phase I of the China-Pak Economic Corridor (CPEC), and another PKR3bn ($28m) has been earmarked for acquiring land.

The government has released PKR800m ($7.5m) to complete the Lowari Tunnel and access roads in Dir district on time, while PKR460m ($4.34m) has been allocated to construct a bridge over the Indus River at Qazi Ahmed Amri, including the Skrand Bypass.

About PKR190m ($1.79m) will be invested to build a bridge across River Chinab to connect Shorkot and Garh Maharaja in the Jhang district, and PKR440m ($4.15m) for a 57km stretch of Faisalabad-Multan Motorway, as well as acquiring land in Multan.

The government has released PKR2.5bn ($23m) to improve the Hoshab-Nag-Basima-Surab Highway, and PKR560m ($5.2m) for improve the 194km stretch of Gwadar-Turbat-Hoshab Section of M-8.

Several of these road projects are expected to complete by the end of next year.

In December, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif announced that the government would invest PKR200bn ($1.8bn) in road construction projects in Balochistan.

While addressing a gathering at the foundation stone laying ceremony of the western route of the CPEC, the prime minister stated that Gwadar-Hoshab road would be completed this month.