Transport infrastructure receives highest PSDP allocation of Rs 365bn: Aurangzeb

ISLAMABAD, Jun 12 (APP): Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Friday said the development of highways, railways and ports remained among the government’s top priorities, with the transport sector receiving the largest allocation of Rs 365 billion under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for fiscal year 2026-27.

Presenting the federal budget in the National Assembly, the finance minister said the substantial allocation reflected the government’s commitment to strengthening connectivity, facilitating trade and promoting economic growth through improved transport infrastructure.

He said Rs100 billion had been earmarked for the dualization of the N-25 Highway, also known as the Pakistan Expressway, a strategically important route in Balochistan linking Karachi with Chaman.

Aurangzeb said the government would also invest Rs30 billion in the Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway (M-6) to complete the country’s north-south motorway network.

He informed the House that work on the Karachi-Rohri section of Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway project would commence in the next fiscal year with new financing support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), adding that Rs25 billion had been allocated for the project.

The finance minister said Rs2 billion had been set aside for the Thar Coal Connectivity Project, aimed at linking indigenous energy resources with the national transportation network.

He further stated that more than Rs93 billion had been allocated for the development of Gwadar Port infrastructure and various transport projects across the four provinces to provide faster and more efficient transportation facilities throughout the country.

Aurangzeb said the government’s investment in transport infrastructure would enhance regional connectivity, improve logistics efficiency and support sustainable economic development.