Balochistan High Court Orders Timely Inclusion of Hernai, Sibi, and Ziarat Road Projects in Next Fiscal Year’s Development Program

Quetta: The Balochistan High Court, comprising Chief Justice Muhammad Kamran Khan Malakhel and Justice Muhammad Najamuddin Mengal, has emphasized that delays in key road projects, including Hernai, Sibi, and Ziarat, will not be tolerated. The court issued directives to ensure these projects are included in the Development Program for the fiscal year 2026-27.

During a hearing on a constitutional petition regarding road construction and development projects, it was revealed that the cost of the Ziarat Mor–Kach–Hernai–Sanjiwai Road has surged from PKR 10.79 billion to PKR 17.49 billion due to technical modifications and the conversion of TST footpaths into asphalt for public benefit.

The Additional Advocate General informed the court about the provincial government’s clearances for the Hernai–Sibi route via Spin Tangi, while Basharat Hussain, Member (West Zone) of the NHA, submitted that the 146.5 km Ziarat Mor project received administrative approval on January 5, 2026, and a token amount of PKR 200 million was allocated in the PSDP 2025-26 to ensure its inclusion in the next fiscal year’s program.

The NHA assured the court that the tendering process will be completed before June 2026, and construction will commence with the release of funds at the start of FY 2026-27. Priority, however, will remain on near-completion projects including Jhal Jhao–Bela, Bela–Awaran, Hoshab–Awaran, Awaran–Nal, Quetta Western Bypass, and Nokundi–Mashkel.

The petitioner’s counsel expressed concerns over timely inclusion in the PSDP by March 31, which NHA officials refuted, assuring on-time incorporation. The court directed the NHA CEO, Member West Zone, and Additional Chief Secretary Development to coordinate and ensure PC-1 approval and inclusion of these projects in the FY 2026-27 PSDP, warning that failure to comply would require personal accountability before the court.

The court adjourned further proceedings until April 9, 2026.