ISLAMABAD, Nov 4 (Wealth Pakistan) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has provided Pakistan with more than USD 1.1 billion in financial assistance over recent years to strengthen regional road connectivity and improve trade efficiency.
Five key infrastructure projects supported
According to documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the government received USD 1,105 million for five major road infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing national and cross-border transport links. Four of these projects are being implemented by the National Highway Authority (NHA).
The ADB-backed schemes include the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Corridor Development Investment Program Tranche-I, Tranche-II, and Tranche-III, along with the Emergency Floods Assistance Project (EFAP).
Progress on CAREC Tranche-I
Approved in 2017, CAREC Tranche-I focuses on upgrading 143 kilometres of the National Highway (N-55) into a dual carriageway. The project covers three sections — 66 km Petaro–Sehwan, 43 km Ratodero–Shikarpur, and 34 km Dara Adam Khel–Peshawar.
ADB committed USD 80 million for this tranche, out of which USD 62.439 million has been disbursed so far. Two sections have already achieved full completion, while the Ratodero–Shikarpur portion — with 40 percent of work pending — is expected to be completed by December 31 this year.
Work on Tranche-II of CAREC Corridor
CAREC Tranche-II, approved in 2021 at a total cost of USD 190 million, is scheduled for completion by December 31 this year. So far, ADB has released USD 48.450 million to the NHA.
This project involves upgrading a 222-km section of N-55 between Shikarpur and Rajanpur into a two-lane dual carriageway. The stretch has been divided into four segments:
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Shikarpur to Kandhkot (62.4 km) – 12% physical progress
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Kandhkot to Kashmore (58.78 km) – 10% progress
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Kashmore to Rojan (48.9 km) – 42% progress
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Rojan to Rajanpur (51.85 km) – 42% progress
The project’s main goal is to enhance regional connectivity and improve institutional capacity for trade and transport along the CAREC corridor.
Tranche-III and pending works
CAREC Tranche-III, approved in 2023 at an estimated cost of USD 360 million, aims to further expand the corridor network. Although its completion was initially set for June 30, 2027, work has yet to begin due to PC-I revision and ongoing litigation.
Emergency Floods Assistance Project
The Emergency Floods Assistance Project (EFAP), approved in December 2022, carries a total value of USD 475 million. Out of this, USD 150 million has been earmarked specifically for road infrastructure.
EFAP was launched as a rapid-response initiative after the catastrophic 2022 floods, which damaged transport networks, irrigation systems, and agricultural infrastructure. The project supports the rehabilitation of key roads, drainage systems, and flood-protection structures while improving disaster-resilience and water-management capacity.
Boosting connectivity and resilience
ADB’s cumulative investment of over USD 1.1 billion in Pakistan’s road development sector reflects the bank’s long-term commitment to strengthening connectivity, improving logistics efficiency, and supporting climate-resilient infrastructure. The initiatives are expected to significantly improve trade flows between Pakistan and neighbouring countries within the CAREC region.