U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan David Hale along with National Highway Authority Chairman Shahid Ashraf Tarar and Frontier Works Organization Director Major General Muhammad Afzal opened an exhibition displaying photos of the recently rehabilitated section of National Highway 25 connecting Chaman to Kalat through Quetta, Baluchistan.
The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, funded the construction of the 111 kilometers needed to complete National Highway 25, in cooperation with the Frontier Works Organization, the prime contractor, and the National Highway Authority. USAID provided $463 million to rehabilitate the highway and has committed an additional $27 million for further improvements.
The newly-restored highway will increase trade and economic integration by linking Pakistan with Afghanistan and its Central Asian neighbors. The road, which stretches from Chaman on the border with Afghanistan to Karachi, will also improve the lives of the people of Baluchistan by expanding access to basic healthcare, education, and other social services. The Frontier Works Organization began construction in October 2014.
“This road is a concrete demonstration of America’s commitment to help bring peace, stability, and prosperity to Pakistan. It is a testament to the far-reaching benefits of our partnership, as it will serve the people of Pakistan for generations to come,” Ambassador Hale said at the inauguration.
The funding for this highway is one element of USAID’s $681.5 million FATA Infrastructure Program, which has restored essential public infrastructure in remote communities. To date, the United States has funded the construction and rehabilitation of more than 2,200 kilometers of roads in Pakistan, including the four major trade routes between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The United States is proud to work with its partner Pakistan to help build the infrastructure that will enhance trade and better the lives of the people of Pakistan and the Central Asian region.
