Chinese input to Pakistan highway

Pakistan and China are poised to enhance the Karakoram Highway (KKH)
By Abdul Rab Siddiqi April 16, 2025 Read time: 2 mins
China will work with Pakistan on a major highway project


A delegation of financial and technical experts, led by the chairman of the National Highways Authority (NHA) from the Ministry of Communication, Government of Pakistan, will travel to China this month to finalise the implementation terms for the KKH project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Minister Ahsan Iqbal reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expediting the KKH project, describing it as a time-sensitive strategic initiative due to the construction of the Diamer Basha Dam, according to a government official note.

The highway connects the Pakistani provinces of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit-Baltistan with China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. One of the key projects under CPEC aims to upgrade the 887 km route into an all-weather highway.

In related news, Chinese Consul General Yang Yundong recently stated that China and Pakistan are focused on completing the Karakoram Highway (KKH). Last September, China agreed to assist Pakistan with four major projects in the transportation and communications sectors. The two countries plan to collaborate on the second phase of the KKH and the construction of roads connecting Kaghan- Naran, Jhal Khand, Babusar Top, and the Tunnel to KKH.

Pakistan’s Economic Coordination Committee approved a US$2 billion project under Chinese funding to reconstruct, upgrade, and improve the Karakoram Highway in northern Pakistan. This initiative is part of the $60 billion China—Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Moreover, China will provide the contractors and construction machinery necessary for the work. The Chinese side will deliver the project under an engineering, design, procurement, and construction (EPC) package.

China Communications Construction Company Ltd completed KKH Phase II (Havelian - Thakot Section), a section of the upgrade program that began in September 2016. The Prime Minister inaugurated the Havelian-Mansehra Section on 18 November 2019, while the CM KPK inaugurated the Mansehra-Thakot Section on 28 July 2020. The current visits of NHA will determine the future upgradation program of KKH.

 

Road Structures

Related Content

  • Vietnam’s North-South Expressway project prioritised
    October 20, 2017
    Vietnam’s Ministry of Transport is prioritising the construction of the North-South expressway project. It is seeking the approval of the Vietnamese Government approval to speed up the development of a 713km stretch of the expressway. This particular section of the expressway is phase one of the project and has an estimated construction cost of US$ 5.73 billion. Just over half of the construction cost will be paid for by private investors while Government bonds are expected to pay for the remaining sum. Thi
    Read More
  • EBRD mulls loan for Macedonian Corridor 8 work
    July 13, 2021
    The €110million (US$ 130.5 million) load would help construct a 10.7km section, including a tunnel, between Bukojcani and Kicevo.
    Read More
  • New Chinese highway link
    May 22, 2023
    A new Chinese highway link is planned.
    Read More
  • Funding found for Pakistan highway revamp
    July 8, 2014
    Financing has been found for a major highway upgrade project for Pakistan. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is lending US$197 million to Pakistan’s National Highway Development Project for Balochistan. The loan will be used to upgrade the Zhob-Mughal Kot and Qila Saifullah Waghum highways. At present these highways feature just two lanes, but the improvement works will see them being widened and improved, so as to increase capacity and also upgrade safety. The wider aim of the project is to help generate ec
    Read More

Highlighted Content