Serious Structural Flaws Exposed in Quetta-Karachi N-25 Highway Expansion Project
Substandard Sand-Soil Mixture and Defective Bridge Engineering Spark Collapse Fears Under Heavy Traffic
Severe technical discrepancies and the alleged use of substandard materials have been uncovered during the ongoing dualization of the strategic Quetta-Karachi National Highway (N-25). Commuters, civil society activists, and local residents have raised alarms over the construction practices, revealing that bridges along the route are being built with inadequate steel reinforcement (rebar), while loose, non-cohesive sand-soil mixture is being excessively used for the roadbed. Industry observers warn that the highway risks fracturing and sinking under the weight of heavy commercial vehicles even before its formal completion.
The project is being executed under the oversight of the National Highway Authority (NHA). However, regular commuters report that excavated debris from mountainous cuttings—particularly along the challenging Wadh-Bela section—has been left completely unattended on the roadsides for months, severely restricting the flow of transit traffic.
Complete Absence of Safety Refractors and Proper Diversions Triggers Surge in Road Accidents
Transporters and passengers have strongly condemned the execution teams for failing to implement basic occupational safety protocols on site. The highway currently lacks visible warning signage, designated alternative routes (diversions), or nighttime reflector lights.
"Traveling on the N-25 at night has become virtually impossible and highly life-threatening. Deep ditches flank both sides of narrow, unlit detours. Multiple accidents have already occurred because basic safety parameters were bypassed before breaking ground." — Local Welfare Representative
Civil Society Demands High-Level Forensic Audit by Chairman NHA
A collective of public and social organizations has formally appealed to the Chairman of the National Highway Authority (NHA), the Federal Secretary, board members, and the regional General Manager. They are demanding an immediate technical audit into the alleged corruption and structural manipulation within the Wadh-Bela mountainous sector. The public has urged top management to enforce strict quality control, inspect the integrity of the newly built bridges, and immediately implement international safety standards to prevent further loss of human lives.