The federal government has approved the construction of the Mansehra–Naran–Jalkhad–Chilas (MNJC) Motorway, a major infrastructure project aimed at improving connectivity between northern Pakistan and China while strengthening tourism and regional trade routes.
The approval was granted by Federal Minister for Communications Aleem Khan during a high-level meeting of the National Highway Authority, where officials reviewed key transport infrastructure projects and discussed strategies to enhance mobility and economic integration.
According to project details, the MNJC Motorway will extend approximately 172 kilometers through Mansehra, Kaghan, Naran, Jalkhad, and Chilas. The new route is expected to reduce pressure on the existing Karakoram Highway (KKH), one of the region’s most important transport corridors.
Officials stated that the motorway will shorten travel distance on the KKH corridor by up to 120 kilometers, providing a safer, faster, and more efficient alternative for travelers, freight operators, and tourists.
The project will be developed in two phases. The first phase will connect Mansehra to Kaghan, Naran, and Babusar Top, while the second phase will extend the route from Babusar Top to Chilas, improving access to Gilgit-Baltistan and northern regions.
A key feature of the project is the proposed 13.5-kilometer Babusar Tunnel, which is expected to become the longest tunnel in Pakistan upon completion. The tunnel will provide year-round accessibility through the Babusar region, which currently experiences seasonal closures due to heavy snowfall.
The motorway is planned as a four-lane facility with provisions for future expansion to six lanes. The design also includes modern rest areas every 25 to 30 kilometers and freight terminals at both ends to facilitate logistics and cargo movement.
Officials noted that the project carries strategic importance beyond domestic transportation. By enhancing connectivity with northern trade corridors, the motorway is expected to strengthen links associated with the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor and improve access to China through the Karakoram Highway and the Khunjerab Pass.
The government views the project as part of its broader strategy to modernize Pakistan’s transport infrastructure, reduce logistics costs, boost tourism, and support long-term economic growth.
Officials also expect the motorway to promote tourism in northern destinations, including the Kaghan Valley, Naran, and the Babusar region.
The communications minister directed NHA authorities to finalize technical designs and implementation timelines to ensure the project moves forward without unnecessary delays.
