Boosting China trade: NHA begins Mansehra-Chilas expressway design

Six-month feasibility and design phase begins under CPEC expansion

P.c. China Pakistan Economic Corridor

Boosting China trade: NHA begins Mansehra-Chilas expressway design


Pakistan’s National Highway Authority (NHA) has formally initiated the feasibility and detailed design work for the conversion of the 235-kilometre-long Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad-Chilas (N-15) highway into a modern four-lane divided expressway. This development marks a significant step in strengthening connectivity between northern Pakistan and China under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The upgraded expressway will serve as a vital link between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and onward to Xinjiang, China, through the Karakoram Highway (KKH). Once completed, the route is expected to reduce travel time, enhance road safety, and provide all-weather access to key northern destinations including Naran, Babusar Top, Chilas, Skardu, and beyond.

P.c. China Pakistan Economic Corridor

Launched on June 17, 2025, the design phase has been awarded to a joint venture of M/s Zeeruk International and M/s KASIB Consultants, with M/s Osmani Global engaged as sub-consultant. The team has six months to deliver a comprehensive feasibility study and engineering design that will form the basis of the project’s submission to the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) and the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC).

Officials emphasized that the project goes beyond road construction. It is part of CPEC’s northern expansion, offering an alternative to the Karakoram Highway and easing the flow of both trade convoys and tourism traffic toward Khunjerab Pass and Kashgar. With tunnels, bridges, and advanced safety features, the expressway is being designed to international standards to withstand landslides, floods, and extreme weather conditions common in the Himalayan foothills.

Analysts note that the expressway will not only facilitate smoother trade and tourism but also generate employment, support local economies, and reinforce Pakistan’s position as a critical gateway in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). As part of CPEC’s second phase, which emphasizes regional integration and socio-economic growth, the Mansehra-Chilas expressway stands out as a transformative project for both Pakistan and its cross-border partnership with China.