by In a landmark decision, Pakistan’s governing bodies have greenlit two new motorway projects in Punjab—marking a significant leap forward in provincial infrastructure, regional connectivity, and economic growth.
1. Lahore – Sahiwal – Bahawalnagar Motorway (Approx. 295 km)
- Overview: The 295 km Lahore–Sahiwal–Bahawalnagar Motorway will connect Lahore, Kasur, Okara, Pakpattan, Sahiwal, and Bahawalnagar—transforming travel across southern Punjab.
- Budget Update: Originally estimated at ₹Rs 264 billion, ECNEC has revised the cost upward by nearly 65% to Rs 436 billion.
- Funding Strategy:
- Federal PSDP funding is clearing the first 18.5 km section (Lahore Ring Road → Raiwind‑Kasur Interchange).
- Punjab is being asked to contribute 50% of the total cost for the remaining distance.
- Land Acquisition: 90% completed for the Package‑I section.
- Controversy: Sindh province has protested, claiming it diverts federal funding from critical developments like the proposed Sukkur–Hyderabad Motorway (M‑6).
2. Sialkot – Kharian (M‑12) Motorway (~69 km, 6 lanes)
- Project Profile: The M‑12 motorway links Sambrial (near Sialkot) to Kharian, crossing vital local hubs including Gujrat and Jalalpur Jattan.
- Investment: Estimated at Rs 81.97 billion, the six-lane motorway is being developed by NHA under an aggressive two-year timeline (since July 2022).
- Strategic Value:
- It completes a crucial spur of the Karachi–Lahore Motorway (KLM), significantly boosting connectivity from Sialkot to the broader national motorway network. Govt Approves Two New Motorway Projects for Punjab.
🌐 Why This Matters
- Economic Uplift
These new motorways will improve logistics across agriculture-heavy districts like Sahiwal, Pakpattan, and Sialkot, facilitating faster and cheaper cargo movement—boosting trade and market access. - Time-Saving Travel
Commuters and travelers in Punjab will benefit from reduced travel times and safer routes—significantly improving access to major urban centers and healthcare facilities. - Job Creation
Road construction, engineering, and maintenance work promise to generate substantial short- and medium-term employment across affected regions. - Inter-Provincial Equity Concerns
The diversion of federal funding toward Punjab’s projects—especially amid Sindh’s objections—raises questions of fiscal fairness under the National Fiscal Pact and IMF conditionalities.
🔭 Outlook and Challenges Ahead
| Project | Next Steps | Concerns |
|---|---|---|
| Lahore–Bahawalnagar | Finalize PC‑I, formalize 50:50 funding deal, start major civil work | Manage rising costs; address inter-provincial funding fairness |
| Sialkot–Kharian (M‑12) | Complete remaining construction, open interchanges, integrate with KLM | Stay on schedule; maximize PPP/BOT model efficiency |
Execution remains critical: cost overruns, funding delays, and political disputes—if mishandled—could hinder timely completion. Yet if implemented effectively, both motorways stand to profoundly benefit Punjab’s economy and connectivity.
✍️ Final Take
Punjab’s new motorway approvals signal bold momentum in transport infrastructure—aiming to knit rural hubs and urban centers into a cohesive economic network. With Lahore–Bahawalnagar set to link south Punjab and the M‑12 motorway enhancing north-central connectivity, these are transformative projects in scope.
However, keeping them fiscally viable, regionally equitable, and on schedule will determine whether this drive becomes a blueprint for future national development—or another example of stalled ambition.
