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Kachhi Canal and N-70 Highway Projects to Boost Pakistan's Balochistan
East-West infrastructure projects in Pakistan pose unique challenges. Sending hundreds of cusecs of water up more than a mile from the River Indus to Balochistan via Kachhi canal is one of these challenges. Another challenge is to improve and expand national east-west highways like N-70. These recently completed infrastructure projects linking South Punjab with Balochistan will boost agriculture and transportation sectors and bring economic benefits to Pakistanis living in the country's least developed areas.
Kachhi Canal Project:
Recently completed 400 kilometers in phase 1 of 500 kilometer long Kachhi Canal is now the longest irrigation canal in Pakistan. It stretches from the plains of South Punjab to the heights of eastern Balochistan where it will eventually irrigate over 700,000 acres of arid land, according to WAPDA (Water and Power Development Authority).
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Kachhi Canal Pakistan |
Part of Kachhi canal is made up of 56 inch diameter pipeline that will pump 120 cusecs (cubic feet per sec) of Indus water 7,000 feet above sea level across Sulaiman mountain range. This feat of engineering made possible by NESPAK (National Engineering Services of Pakistan), a consulting firm that I worked for 3 years in mid-1970s.
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Kachhi Canal Project Phases |
National Highway N-70:
National highway N-70 runs from Multan in Punjab to the town of Qilla Saifullah via Dera Ghazi Khan, and Loralai in Balochistan province. It requires traversing 11,500 feet high Sulaiman mountains, the southern extension of Hindu Kush mountain range. It has recently been completed.
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N-70 Highway Pakistan |
The condition of old British colonial era N-70 national highway was very poor. In particular, the hilly sections of the road suffered from frequent rock falls and debris and occasional land slides from the steep mountain side. It had narrow road width, coupled with hair-pin bends and relatively steep slope. Trucks pulling containers were forced to take alternative route via N-65 highway to Quetta. The solution was to use seven steel bridges that were 11.5 kilometers in length. The project was completed at a cost of $142 million with the assistance of JICA, Japan's international aid agency.
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| Steel Bridges At Fort Monroe on N70 Highway |
Summary:
Recently completed infrastructure projects linking South Punjab with Balochistan will boost agriculture and transportation sectors and the economy in Pakistan's least developed areas. Kachhi canal will irrigate hundreds of thousands of acres of arid land while improvement and widening of N-70 east-west national highway will help movement of goods and people to integrate remote areas with the national economy.
Related Links:
Riaz Haq
China to build hospitals in Balochistan: envoy - Pakistan - DAWN.COM
https://www.dawn.com/news/1951898
AI Overview
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China plans to build 100 hospitals and establish new economic zones in Balochistan to create jobs and improve water resource management, according to Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong. The initiatives were announced during a meeting with Pakistan's Pakistan-China Friendship Group and are part of the broader China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). These projects are intended to boost the local economy and healthcare access, though specific timelines and formal agreements are still pending.
Key details of the plan
Hospitals: 100 hospitals are planned to be built to improve healthcare access for the local population.
Economic Zones: New economic zones will be established to generate employment opportunities.
Water Management: The projects are also aimed at improving water resource management in the province.
Education: The plans also include expanding student exchange and technical training programs.
Context: The announcement was made by Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong during a meeting with Pakistani senators. The initiative is part of the CPEC framework, which includes several projects in Balochistan.
Oct 29, 2025
Riaz Haq
https://www.techjuice.pk/new-connectivity-plan-proposed-to-boost-in...
The federal government wants to bridge the digital divide. Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema recently chaired a crucial meeting. He discussed the proposed National Connectivity Plan. Minister for IT & Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja and several senior officials also attended this session. Primarily, the meeting focused on expanding high-speed internet access. The government wants to connect villages, remote areas, and small towns. Consequently, this move will unlock massive new economic opportunities across the country.
A Connectivity Plan to Empower Freelancers & Digital Professionals
Currently, slow and unreliable internet creates major hurdles for remote workers. Therefore, Federal Minister Ahad Cheema highlighted the government’s top priority. Authorities aim to facilitate freelancers, e-commerce entrepreneurs, and other digital professionals living in remote regions. The government will take all necessary measures to ensure affordable, high-speed internet services. As a result, every citizen can fully participate in the growing digital economy.
Furthermore, the session highlighted the critical importance of 5G infrastructure. Next-generation fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) networks will also drive national economic growth. Ultimately, these crucial upgrades will create jobs and foster nationwide digital inclusion.
Ambitious Infrastructure Targets
Pakistan is already experiencing strong momentum in digital development. Officials noted steady growth in FTTH subscriptions, which currently stand at 2.8 million. Moreover, the country boasts a robust fiber footprint of 234,000 kilometers. The current infrastructure includes 5.1 million house passes and six operational submarine cables.
To build upon this solid foundation, the government outlined highly ambitious national targets. The plan seeks to expand the infrastructure to 10 million house passes. Additionally, the government aims to raise average fixed broadband download speeds to 85 Mbps. Authorities also plan to increase tower fiberization to 60 percent. Consequently, these specific efforts aim to secure the country a spot among the world’s top 50 countries for broadband performance.
Strategic Reforms & Tax Relief
The meeting placed a massive emphasis on digital affordability. Participants actively considered targeted tax relief for internet users living in remote areas. This key decision will significantly expand digital participation.
Additionally, officials discussed several strategic reforms. The government plans to abolish right-of-way fees. Authorities will also launch a single-window approval portal and introduce district-level licensing. Furthermore, the plan makes fixed broadband connectivity mandatory across all public institutions, schools, and health facilities.
To ensure swift execution, the government will finalize the National Connectivity Plan expeditiously through comprehensive stakeholder consultation. Cheema stressed the need for a highly structured and sequenced approach. The government will prioritize essential regulatory reforms and enforce clear operator obligations. Moreover, officials will link financial support directly to verified performance milestones. This strategy will accelerate nationwide fiber deployment. At the same time, it will successfully safeguard public resources and ensure long-term commercial viability.
Jul 31
Riaz Haq
USF Connects 16.2m People, Deploys 10,400km OFC in Five Years.
The projects expanded broadband access across thousands of underserved areas. Fibre deployment also connected 947 previously unserved
https://www.techjuice.pk/usf-connects-16-2m-people-deploys-10400km-...
The Universal Service Fund (USF) has expanded voice and broadband access to more than 16.2 million people. The projects covered over 9,400 underserved and unserved mauzas during the last five fiscal years.
The figures were shared by Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja. She provided the details in a written reply to the National Assembly.
During FY2022-26, USF projects delivered voice and broadband data services across more than 9,400 mauzas. The programme also helped bring broadband to areas where telecom operators lacked a strong business case.
USF also expanded coverage along more than 1,000 kilometres of unserved roads. These included sections of national highways and motorways. The projects also covered eight tourist destinations and around 50 kilometres of access routes.
The fund deployed more than 10,400 kilometres of optic fibre cable (OFC) during the same five-year period. This work connected 947 unserved tehsil headquarters, union councils and towns.
Since its launch, USF has reached more than 38.4 million people across over 22,100 mauzas. It has also covered more than 2,500 kilometres of previously unserved road segments.
The fund has connected eight tourist destinations and about 50 kilometres of access routes. Its total OFC deployment has also crossed 18,300 kilometres since inception.
USF was established under Section 33(A)(1) of the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organization) Act, 1996. Its main goal is to extend telecom services to rural, remote and underserved communities.
The programme initially focused on voice and basic data services through 2G networks. It later expanded to high-speed broadband through 3G and 4G networks.
The government said better connectivity is also supporting education, healthcare and emergency services. It is helping improve financial inclusion, e-governance and access to economic opportunities.
The ministry said USF remains important in areas where commercial telecom deployment is difficult. It will continue targeting unserved and underserved communities through broadband and fibre projects.
18 hours ago