ISLAMABAD: The National Highway Authority (NHA) has informed a parliamentary forum that reconstruction of roads and bridges damaged by the recent floods will require Rs15 billion, with full restoration expected within six to twelve months.
Officials told the forum that Rs2.6 billion has already been spent on immediate rehabilitation of the most critical routes. The meeting, chaired by Senator Pervaiz Rashid, was convened to review flood-related destruction and assess progress on the NHA’s ongoing reconstruction initiatives.
Senator Rashid directed the NHA to seek federal financial assistance on behalf of provincial governments, stressing the need for stronger inter-agency coordination to accelerate the recovery process.
The recent monsoon floods, triggered by record rainfall and glacial melt in the northern and western regions, have severely affected Pakistan’s road infrastructure. Torrential waters swept away small bridges, eroded highways, and disrupted connectivity in multiple districts, exposing the vulnerability of transport networks to extreme weather. Experts have warned that the intensity of these floods highlights the growing impact of climate change on the country’s infrastructure resilience.
According to NHA’s assessment, a total of 172 sites were affected nationwide — including 91 in Gilgit-Baltistan, 47 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 20 in Punjab, 12 in Balochistan, and two in Sindh. Despite the extensive damage, the authority confirmed that all major routes in Punjab, Sindh, KP, and Balochistan have been reopened for traffic.
Bridges and key link roads bore the worst of the impact. The Ayub Bridge in Havelian, damaged by flash floods on August 18, remains under repair with traffic diverted through a provincial route, while the BB Nani Bridge on N-5 in Balochistan was also bypassed using alternate roads. Similarly, near Jalalpur Peerwala on M-5, 78 kilometres of the Shah Shams–Ahmedpur Sharqia section have been restored.
“The water flow in the rivers was unprecedented,” said the NHA chairman, noting that several northern regions experienced river levels unseen in over two decades.
Despite widespread damage, members of the parliamentary forum appreciated the resilience and construction standards of the M-5 and Havelian–Thakot Motorways, which sustained minimal harm.
Senator Saifullah Abro raised questions about the Ayub Bridge’s age and design, pointing out it was constructed more than 50 years ago using leftover material from the Tarbela Dam project. The forum also discussed proposals to rename the replacement bridge, suggesting titles such as Jinnah Bridge, Ayub Bridge, or Havelian Bridge.
Recognising Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate disasters, the forum urged the government to establish a national task force on climate resilience and conduct a transparent audit of international disaster aid. Lawmakers also highlighted the need to address the deteriorating condition of the Lowari Tunnel and expedite work on Arando and Garam Chashma Roads up to the Shah Salim border in Chitral.
