Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated the newly constructed Jinnah Square Murree Road Underpass on Friday, a project that was completed in just 35 days. This underpass, which stretches approximately 479 metres and features three traffic lanes, is a significant component of a broader initiative to establish a signal-free corridor from Islamabad Airport to Murree. The aim of this corridor is to ease traffic congestion and reduce travel time for commuters.
During the inauguration ceremony, PM Sharif praised Interior Minister Senator Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi and his team, which included Chairperson of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) Muhammad Ali Randhawa and IG Islamabad Police Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, for their swift and effective work on the project. He called the initiative “nationally beneficial,” emphasizing its role in ensuring smooth connectivity to the scenic tourist destination of Murree. “It has been due to the unity and harmony of the nation and the blessings of Almighty Allah. Moreover, the meritorious history of the nation will be remembered by the enemy forever,” the prime minister said.
In addition to the underpass, the development includes an upgraded road network and landscaping, further enhancing the corridor’s utility and aesthetics. PM Sharif noted that the nearly 9-kilometre-long route would serve not only the residents of Rawalpindi and Islamabad but also the broader population by improving access to Murree.
Earlier, Interior Minister Naqvi provided the prime minister with a detailed briefing on the progress of the current project and outlined future plans. These include the design phase of the Shaheen Chowk Underpass and various tourism-related developments such as a Safari Park and a Chairlift in the Murree region, aimed at boosting local tourism and accessibility.
The inauguration event saw the attendance of several federal ministers, including Hanif Abbasi and Dr Tariq Fazl Chaudhary, as well as Ministers of State Talal Chaudhary and Talha Burki, alongside other members of parliament.
Meanwhile, in Sargodha, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz inaugurated the Nawaz Sharif Flyover. Provincial Minister Sohaib Ahmed Bharth informed her that the 1.3-kilometre-long project had been completed in eight months at a cost of Rs2.2 billion. The flyover is expected to be used by more than 30,000 vehicles daily, significantly improving traffic flow for commuters traveling to Sargodha from Khushab, Mianwali, and Bhakkar.
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