Balochistan High Court Orders Completion of Quetta Roads Before Eid, Summons Officials Over Delays

Quetta: A two-member bench of the Balochistan High Court has directed authorities to complete key road construction work under the Quetta Development Package before Eidul Fitr and summoned senior officials over reported obstacles in the project.

The bench, comprising Chief Justice Muhammad Kamran Khan Mulakhail and Justice Muhammad Najamuddin Mengal, heard a constitutional petition regarding the construction of roads and infrastructure from Science College and Hockey Chowk to Sariab Railway Crossing.

During the hearing, Additional Chief Secretary (Development) Zahid Saleem presented the construction timeline before the court. The court was informed that construction and asphalt work on the main road from Akram Hospital to Hockey Chowk would be completed before Eidul Fitr, while service roads, footpaths, lane markings, streetlights and other related work would be finalized by April 30, 2026.

Regarding the Sariab service road and storm water drain, officials stated that 98 percent of the drainage work has already been completed.

The project director pointed out obstacles allegedly created by police authorities in connection with SSGC gas pipelines and the asphalt plant. The court directed the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) to ensure immediate relocation of the gas pipelines and instructed the DIG Quetta Range to make sure that no hindrance is caused to the functioning of the asphalt plant located on Hanna Road.

The court also sought a progress report on the dualization of the National Highway N-25 (Karachi–Chaman) highway.

Furthermore, notices were issued to the Secretary Communications and Works (C&W) and the relevant project directors to appear in person at the next hearing with photographic evidence regarding the under-construction overhead bridges at Gahi Khan Chowk and Sariab Customs.