The Peshawar–Dera Ismail Khan Motorway is set to become one of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s most transformative infrastructure projects, aimed at connecting the provincial capital with its southern districts through a modern, high-speed corridor.
The project came into sharp focus after Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Sohail Afridi chaired a high-level meeting to review progress on major road sector initiatives. Officials briefed the chief minister on the motorway’s scope, alignment, and implementation framework. Moreover, to fast track the project, several strategic decisions took by the government.
Strategic Importance of Peshawar–Dera Ismail Khan Motorway
Stretching 365 kilometers, the Peshawar–Dera Ismail Khan Motorway will directly
- Link central KP with the underdeveloped southern belt
- Reducing travel time
- Cutting transport costs
- Opening new economic corridors
Currently, travel between Peshawar and Dera Ismail Khan highly depends on congested highways and urban crossings. Once completed, the motorway is going to provide
- A controlled-access
- High-speed alternative
- Improving road safety, logistical efficiency for passengers, freight operators, and emergency services
Project features and technical scope
As per official briefings, the Peshawar–Dera Ismail Khan Motorway will include the following:
• 19 interchanges to connect major cities and districts along the route
• Two tunnels, designed to navigate challenging terrain and ensure uninterrupted traffic flow
• Modern safety features, service areas, and rest facilities
• A design aligned with national motorway standards
The motorway is anticipated to pass through key districts and unlocking access to markets, healthcare, and education for millions of residents in southern KP.
Read also: CDA, NHA to work together on Margalla Avenue extension to link Islamabad with Peshawar motorway
Public-private partnership model for execution
The provincial government has decided to construct the Peshawar–Dera Ismail Khan Motorway under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, similar to other large-scale infrastructure initiatives.
This approach aims to reduce fiscal pressure on the provincial budget while ensuring timely execution, technical expertise, and long-term sustainability. The chief minister indicated that the foundation stone is going to be laid soon. This is clearly signaling the transition from planning to execution.
Economic and regional development impact
The Peshawar–Dera Ismail Khan Motorway is going to play a pivotal role in economic uplift, particularly in districts historically left out of large development cycles.
Improved road connectivity will:
• Be facilitating agricultural trade from southern KP
• Attracting industrial and logistics investment
• Supporting mineral transport and cross-provincial trade
• Generating employment during construction and operation phases
By integrating southern KP into the broader motorway network, the project aligns with national goals of balanced regional development.
Relation to other motorway projects in KP
While the recent meeting also reviewed progress on Swat Motorway Phase II, officials clarified that the Motorway holds distinct strategic value due to its length, coverage, and economic impact.
Moreover, both projects are the integral component of a wider vision to modernize KP’s road infrastructure, but the Peshawar–DI Khan corridor is seen as a backbone route for southern districts.
Government dedication and next steps
Chief Minister Sohail Afridi instructed departments to complete all legal, technical, and administrative requirements without making delay. He strongly emphasized upon transparency and efficient use of resources.
Furthermore, Sohail also stated that large infrastructure projects like the Peshawar–Dera Ismail Khan Motorway holds the extreme importance for long-term prosperity, particularly for remote and underserved regions of the province.
With groundwork expected to begin soon, the motorway marks a decisive step toward reshaping KP’s transport landscape and strengthening its integration with national and regional trade networks
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