From the Bank’s side both the agreements were signed by ADB Pakistan Country Director Mr Werner Liepach. The Hassanabdal-Burhan-Havelian Expressway Project was part of the National Trade Corridor. It will connect existing M1 at Hassanabdal to Havelian, and will further extend to Abbottabad and Mansehra to North.

The Project is almost parallel with existing N5 which is being urbanized in many sections. Due to high traffic volume and deteriorated road condition, E35 is becoming necessary in order to develop inter-provincial linkages to improve sub-regional connectivity within Pakistan.

Proposed project will construct a north-south access controlled expressway system to link the northern area of Pakistan to existing expressway network and lead to better connectivity and for improving linkages with neighboring countries like China and Afghanistan as well as Central Asian States.

Federal Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar, the secretary finance and the secretary communications also witnessed the ceremony. Earlier, ADB president called on the prime minister and discussed matters of mutual interest.