Prime Minister Imran Khan has said road infrastructure plays an important role for economic development and construction of quality highways will increase connectivity between the rural and the urban areas. 

Chairing a review meeting in Islamabad on Wednesday regarding progress on various projects being completed under National Highway Authority, he said it will also enhance trade and employment opportunities in the country. 

The Prime Minister said that standard roads will not only help reduce maintenance expenditure as well as import bill on the petroleum products.

Imran Khan said he will personally monitor the progress on important and big communication projects on daily basis. He directed to ensure release of funds for timely completion of projects.

Minister for Communication Murad Saeed said that construction of various roads with the total length of 1,753 kilometers completed in last three years of the PTI Government, whereas only 645 kilometers' road infrastructure was constructed from 2013 to 2016 of the previous government.

It was told that planning for the construction of 6,118 kilometer-long roads has been completed and NHA will complete 27 projects by the end of this fiscal year. It was briefed that roads worth 3,000 kilometers are being constructed in Balochistan alone under Public-Private Partnership.

The meeting was also given detailed briefing on the progress on Rawalpindi-Kharian, Mianwali-Muzaffargarh, and Hyderabad-Sukkur road infrastructure.