Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday inaugurated the Hakla-Dera Ismail Khan Motorway M-14─a project of western alignment route of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)─ during a ceremony held in Islamabad.
The Prime Minister praised the role of the Ministry of Communications and National Highway Authority (NHA) for their best performance and timely completion of Hakla-D.I. Khan Motorway.
The Premier said that China has made progress through “long-term policies”, adding Hakla-D.I. Khan project as “long-term planning” will not only integrate the backward regions of the country but also stimulate economic activities in the region. “We want to bring inclusive development that none of the regions is left behind,” he said, adding that through upcoming connectivity projects his Government will integrate other backward areas of the country.
“Western Route of CPEC will bring numerous benefits to the region,” Imran Khan said and added the connectivity project will improve the standard of the people of southern KP and north Punjab.
The M-14 Motorway will turn Dera Ismail Khan as business hub for Northern Punjab, Southern KP and Balochistan and will provide the fastest route to deliver agricultural commodities to major markets of the country.
“The good thing is that the route (M-14 Motorway) is part of CPEC and China is a fast growing economy in the world and the program (route) will connect this part of the country to China,” the Premier said.
According to the Prime Minister, the M-14 Motorway will cut the travel time between Islamabad and southern KP from seven to three hours.
The project is an important component of the Western Alignment route of CPEC; the length of the motorway is 293 km with 11 interchanges, 36 bridges, 33 flyovers and 119 underpasses.
