Pakistan is Building a New Highway Connecting With China

The federal government has approved the construction of the N-15 highway, a major infrastructure project connecting Mansehra to the Chinese border, promising a faster, safer, and modern alternative to the existing Karakoram Highway.

The decision was made during a National Highway Authority (NHA) meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan.

The highway will link Mansehra, Naran, Jhalakhand, and Chilas, significantly reducing travel distances and enhancing year-round accessibility.

“This highway will be unique in terms of trade, tourism, and defense,” said Abdul Aleem Khan. He highlighted that the speed limit will range from 60 to 80 km/h, making it suitable for both commercial traffic and winter tourism.

World-Class Infrastructure and Amenities

The N-15 project will include resorts, hotels, lakes, and shopping areas along the route, developed under a public-private partnership model.

Officials confirmed the highway will largely follow a 4-lane bilateral design to accommodate future traffic needs.

Economic and Strategic Benefits

The highway is expected to boost trade with Central Asia, strengthen defense logistics, and promote tourism in northern Pakistan, generating income for local communities.

Abdul Aleem Khan emphasized that the project will meet the future needs of the country, with completion targeted within two years.

The Secretary for Communications, NHA Chairman, and other officials briefed the minister on project feasibility and standards, confirming that construction will adhere to world-class quality and safety benchmarks.