On Thursday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed that the people of Pakistan have fully embraced the government’s choice to pass on the benefits of falling international petroleum prices to boost the development of Balochistan province.
Prime Minister launches initiative to transform the perilous “bloody track”—which has claimed over 2,000 lives, into a safe, internationally-standard highway. This marks a major step forward in Balochistan’s development and national connectivity, shared during the Jinnah Square Murree Road Underpass project launch event.
He pointed out that the dualization of the N-25 highway, which connects Chaman, Quetta, Kalat, Khuzdar, and Karachi, is more than just a road project; it’s a gift to the people of Balochistan. He added that this highway will meet national motorway standards, ensuring safety, improved transportation, and economic growth for the region.
Reflecting on the project’s journey, he mentioned that when the foundation was laid in 2022-23, the estimated cost was Rs 214 billion. However, due to rising expenses, the revised cost has now surpassed Rs 300 billion. He anticipates that the project will be completed within two years.
“This road will pave the way for development and progress, linking the underserved areas of Balochistan to the economic powerhouse of Karachi. It embodies our vision for fair development across all provinces,” the prime minister asserted.
He also noted that only a handful of individuals opposing this decision are narrow-minded and lack sincerity towards the people of Balochistan. “Equal development across all provinces is crucial for the overall advancement of the country,” he emphasized.
Regarding the underpass project in Islamabad, the prime minister praised the teamwork of the city management, led by Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, for successfully streamlining traffic flow in the city.
“I want to take a moment to congratulate the interior minister for all the hard work put into beautifying Islamabad and improving traffic flow in the city,” he stated, urging them to keep up the momentum on these efforts.
He expressed his full confidence in the interior minister’s promise, who had previously announced that the project would wrap up in just 35 days instead of the initially planned 60.
The prime minister highlighted that thanks to the government’s economic team, the macroeconomic indicators have shown significant improvement, and the recent upgrade in Pakistan’s rating by Fitch is a testament to the government’s accomplishments.
Current account
On Thursday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif shared his satisfaction regarding Pakistan’s current account surplus of $1.2 billion in March 2025, marking the highest surplus in history.
In a statement, he described the current account surplus as a sign of a stabilizing economy.
“Thank God, the current account surplus reached $1.85 billion in the first nine months of this fiscal year. These positive economic indicators show that we are heading in the right direction with our government policies,” he remarked.
The prime minister credited the current account surplus to record remittances, rising exports, and the relentless efforts of the government’s economic team. “We are committed to achieving sustainable development for our country’s economy,” he added.
No polio case
On Thursday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was informed that, thanks to the dedicated nationwide anti-polio campaigns, there hasn’t been a single reported case of polio in the country since February 10, 2025.
While chairing a review meeting on polio eradication, the prime minister praised the efforts of government institutions, international organizations, and partners working together to make Pakistan polio-free.
He urged the relevant authorities to ramp up awareness and community mobilization efforts for the anti-polio campaign across the nation.
“It’s crucial that every child under five gets the polio vaccine during the anti-polio campaign kicking off on April 21,” he stated.
He stressed that, in addition to this campaign, we must also ensure that routine immunizations across the country are fully supported to protect against other serious diseases.
“Even in tough circumstances, the workers involved in the anti-polio campaign are at the forefront of battling this disease,” the prime minister remarked, expressing pride in the dedicated polio workers, including himself.
During the meeting, the prime minister received an update on the upcoming anti-polio campaign set for April 21 to April 27, where 4.5 million children are expected to receive the polio vaccine.
A total of 415,000 polio workers will be part of this nationwide effort. The meeting also highlighted that, following the prime minister’s directives, a third-party validation of the campaign will take place from April 28 to April 30.
Additionally, the cold chain management for the anti-polio campaigns is being tracked through a digital system.
The meeting was attended by Minister for National Health Syed Mustafa Kamal, the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Polio Ayesha Raza Farooq, Sindh Health Minister Dr. Azra Fazal, Chief Secretaries from all four provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan, along with representatives from international partners and other senior officials.
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Q1: What is the N-25 highway project about?
The N-25 highway project aims to convert a deadly, high-risk route into a safe, modern motorway connecting Balochistan to Karachi. It’s expected to boost regional development and national integration.
Q2: How much is the current cost of the N-25 project?
A2: Initially budgeted at Rs 214 billion, the revised cost now exceeds Rs 300 billion due to inflation and rising construction expenses.
Q3: Why is the $1.2B current account surplus significant?
This surplus is the highest in Pakistan’s history, signaling a stabilizing economy, increased exports, and strong remittance inflows.
Q4: When will the Jinnah Square Murree Road Underpass be completed?
The project, originally expected to take 60 days, is now targeted for completion in 35 days, showcasing efficient governance.
Q5: Has Pakistan reported any polio cases in 2025?
No. As of now, there have been no reported polio cases since February 10, 2025—an achievement attributed to nationwide campaigns.
Q6: What are the dates for the upcoming anti-polio campaign?
The campaign will run from April 21 to April 27, aiming to vaccinate 4.5 million children across the country.
