Token Funding for Dir-Chitral Motorway Raises Questions Over Project Future
PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has allocated a symbolic amount of Rs1,000 for the proposed Dir-Chitral Motorway in the provincial budget for the fiscal year 2026-27, despite the project’s estimated cost of Rs63 billion.
The nominal allocation has sparked concerns about the government’s seriousness regarding the long-awaited infrastructure project, which is considered vital for improving road connectivity between Dir and Chitral. The motorway is expected to facilitate tourism, trade, and economic growth in the northern regions of the province once completed.
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Dir-Chitral Motorway Remains Uncertain Despite Inclusion in KP Budget
Critics argue that the token allocation does not match the importance or scale of the project and indicates little progress toward its practical implementation. They say substantial funding is required to move the motorway beyond the planning stage and begin construction work.
However, some analysts note that governments often include small allocations in annual budgets to keep development projects active until larger funds are approved in subsequent years. Despite this, the provincial government has yet to announce a comprehensive funding plan or construction timeline, leaving uncertainty over the future of the Dir-Chitral Motorway.
