The federal government has announced plans to construct a new four-lane highway, N-15, connecting Mansehra to the China border, offering an alternative to the Karakoram Highway. The decision was taken at a National Highway Authority (NHA) meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan.
According to the minister, the N-15 highway will serve commercial, tourism, and defense purposes, significantly reducing travel distance compared to the Karakoram Highway. The road is expected to allow speeds of 60 to 80 km/h and will be constructed as a dual carriageway wherever feasible.
Abdul Aleem Khan said the highway will ensure year-round accessibility, provide a safer route to Central Asia, and promote winter tourism. He emphasized that the project will be developed with long-term national needs in mind.
