The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has set the stage for a major expansion of its road network, announcing progress on three key motorway projects aimed at improving connectivity, boosting trade and opening up long-neglected regions of the province.
The decision emerged from a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi, where progress on key road sector projects was reviewed. Officials briefed the chief minister on the status of the Swat Motorway Phase II, the proposed Peshawar- Dera Ismail Khan Motorway, and the Dir Motorway projects that together signal a significant push toward infrastructure-led development in the province.
At the heart of the discussion was Swat Motorway Phase II, which the chief minister described as a flagship initiative of his government. He directed relevant departments to begin construction work at the earliest and to remove any technical or administrative hurdles without delay.
Once completed, Phase II of the Swat Motorway will stretch 80 kilometers from the Chakdara Interchange to Fatehpur. The route will include nine interchanges and seven bridges at different points over the Swat River, significantly improving travel for residents of Malakand Division and easing access to one of KP’s most scenic yet infrastructure-starved regions.
For many locals, the motorway represents more than just a faster commute. Swat’s economy, largely dependent on tourism, agriculture, and small trade, has long suffered from poor road access. Improved connectivity is expected to cut travel time, reduce transport costs, and make the region more attractive for investment.
The meeting also paved the way for the Peshawar- Dera Ismail Khan Motorway, a project the government says will soon see its foundation stone laid. Spanning approximately 365 kilometers, the motorway will link the provincial capital with southern KP, passing through districts that have historically remained on the margins of major development initiatives.
According to officials, the project will feature 19 interchanges and two tunnels, making it one of the most extensive motorway undertakings in the province. Both the Peshawar–Dera Ismail Khan Motorway and Swat Motorway Phase II are planned to be executed under a public-private partnership model, reflecting the government’s strategy to leverage private investment for large-scale infrastructure.
The third project discussed was the Dir Motorway, for which the provincial government has decided, in principle, to use its own resources rather than private financing. The decision underscores the administration’s stated priority of bringing development to remote and mountainous areas that often struggle to attract private investors due to high costs and difficult terrain.
During the meeting, CM Afridi stressed the need for swift completion of all legal and administrative formalities so that work can begin on the ground. He maintained that the provincial government is utilizing available resources “effectively and transparently,” with a clear focus on long-term prosperity rather than short-term gains.
From a broader perspective, the three motorways represent more than infrastructure projects; they reflect a political promise to bridge the development gap between central and peripheral regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Whether these plans translate into timely completion and tangible benefits will depend on execution, a challenge that has historically plagued large public works in the province.
If executed as planned, the three motorways could reshape travel across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, turning hours-long journeys into smoother, safer commutes and laying the groundwork for long-term economic growth.
