“We Are Building a Roadmap to Prosperity” – Shahab Ali Shah
Infrastructure Is the Foundation of Future Growth – Shahab Ali Shah
“This motorway isn’t just a road it’s a pathway to opportunity.”
“We are connecting people to progress, not just cities to highways.”
“Every kilometer of this motorway is an investment in the people of KP.”
Staff Reporter
PESHAWAR: The Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has formally announced the launch of the Dera Ismail Khan–Peshawar Motorway, a transformative infrastructure project aimed at integrating the southern districts of the province into the mainstream economic framework. The initiative is part of a larger strategy focused on smart development, regional equity, and investment-driven growth.
Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah, in an exclusive statement, described the motorway as a “game-changer” for the province, particularly for the historically underserved southern belt.
“Half of the province stands to benefit from this project. It will not only improve access and connectivity but will also stimulate economic activity across multiple sectors. This isn’t just a road it’s a pathway to prosperity,” said Shahab Ali Shah.
The motorway is expected to reduce travel time between Dera Ismail Khan and Peshawar by more than half, while unlocking new opportunities for industrial growth, agricultural trade, logistics, and tourism. According to the Chief Secretary, this project is only the beginning of a broader provincial transformation.
“Large infrastructure is essential to catalyze development. Through smart planning and strategic investment, we are laying down the foundation for long-term economic sustainability. Our southern districts D.I. Khan, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Tank will be central to this vision moving forward,” he added.
Shahab Ali Shah emphasized that the government’s approach to development is not only physical but also digital and economic. Smart development, he explained, means integrating technology, ensuring sustainability, and aligning infrastructure with social goals.
“We are not building in isolation. The D.I. Khan–Peshawar Motorway is part of a comprehensive vision that includes industrial zones, agri-markets, digital governance, and public-private investment models,” he noted.
In the next two years, the province will witness the rollout of several major projects, including:
•The Southern Economic Corridor Development Program
•Special Economic Zones in D.I. Khan and Bannu
•A province-wide Integrated Agricultural Markets Network
•Renewable Energy Zones in off-grid areas of South KP
•Expansion of e-Governance and Digital Services
•Establishment of Public–Private Industrial Parks
Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transparency, timely execution, and local engagement. The projects will be monitored through modern systems to ensure accountability and efficiency at all levels.
“We are building not just roads and buildings, but hope and opportunity. We want every citizen, especially in southern KP, to feel the difference in their lives in jobs, in services, in connectivity. This is how we change the future of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” he concluded.
