PESHAWAR—The Peshawar High Court (PHC) issued notices today to the federal government and the National Highway Authority (NHA) regarding the dilapidated state of National Highway N-5, or the Grand Trunk Road.
Chief Justice Syed Muhammad Atique Shah presided over the hearing of a petition filed by Advocate Numan-ul-Haq Kakakhel. The petitioner highlighted the crumbling infrastructure of the country’s primary transport artery. Consequently, the court sought detailed replies from the federal government, the NHA, and the Commissioner of Peshawar before the next hearing.
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Regional Disparities in Infrastructure
During the proceedings, the petitioner argued that the dilapidated state of N-5 GT Road in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa stands in stark contrast to other provinces. Kakakhel noted that the Grand Trunk (GT) Road connects Karachi to Khyber and serves as the backbone of national logistics.
Specifically, approximately 65% of the country’s total traffic utilizes this route. However, the 73-kilometer stretch from Khairabad to Peshawar remains in a state of extreme decay.
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Furthermore, the counsel claimed that authorities maintain the GT Road regularly in other provinces. “The road in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is full of potholes, making travel nearly impossible,” the petitioner stated. He argued that the federal government intentionally allocates fewer funds to NHA projects within this province. Therefore, the lack of financial resources prevents the NHA from conducting necessary repairs and maintenance.
Court Intervention and Deadlines
The court took serious notice of the reported dilapidated state of N-5 GT Road and the alleged funding discrimination. Chief Justice Shah directed the federal authorities to explain the disparity in road maintenance and fund distribution. Specifically, the NHA must provide a report on the current condition of the Khairabad-Peshawar section.
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Ultimately, the court adjourned the hearing after summoning formal responses from all stakeholders. This judicial intervention aims to address the safety hazards and economic hurdles caused by the deteriorating highway network. By seeking accountability from the federal government, the PHC intends to ensure equitable infrastructure development for the residents of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
