Peshawar: Construction work on Swat Motorway Phase II has officially commenced, marking a significant step toward improved connectivity and economic growth in the Malakand region.
Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi announced the formal start of the project during a high-level meeting at the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar, which was attended by parliamentarians from the Malakand region. He emphasized that the completion of this flagship infrastructure project will accelerate trade, tourism, and overall economic activity in the province.
Phase II of the motorway will span 80 kilometers, extending from the Chakdara Interchange to Fatehpur. The project includes nine interchanges and seven bridges over the Swat River, aimed at improving regional access, reducing travel times, and enhancing transportation efficiency for both local residents and businesses.
During the meeting, officials reviewed other development initiatives in the Malakand division, including infrastructure upgrades, education, health, and communication networks. Afridi directed authorities to resolve pending issues in the provincial transmission line Phase II to fully utilize hydropower projects and accelerate construction of key educational institutions, including the Shaheed Arshad Sharif University of Investigative and Modern Journalism, the Livestock University, and the Engineering University under the DF&C scheme.
The Chief Minister stressed the importance of completing ongoing mega projects on time and implementing new schemes promptly to ensure citizens benefit from development initiatives without delays. In the health sector, upgrades to various hospitals in Malakand were approved in principle, with public health improvement identified as a top priority.
Afridi also announced the creation of dedicated royalty accounts to ensure that funds generated from local resources are directly invested in development projects within the relevant districts. Other infrastructure projects given in-principle approval include the Rustam-Ambela Road, Barawal-Mastuj Road, Dir Cadet College, Talash Bypass, and Chitral Nursing College, which are expected to feature in the upcoming Annual Development Programme (ADP) 2026-27.
Parliamentarians were instructed to identify priority development schemes for their constituencies by March 15, with follow-up meetings planned to monitor progress.
The launch of Swat Motorway Phase II reflects the provincial government’s commitment to transforming underdeveloped areas through targeted investments in connectivity, education, health, and energy, while fostering economic growth and improved quality of life for residents.
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