Pakistan is embarking on a landmark infrastructure project with the construction of the longest river bridge in South Asia — the 12.5-kilometre Ghotki-Kandhkot Bridge over the Indus River.
Scheduled for completion in 2028 at a cost of Rs30.5 billion, the initiative is poised to revolutionize interprovincial connectivity between Sindh, Punjab, and Balochistan.
“This is going to be the longest river bridge in the entire South Asian region,” said Syed Qasim Naveed Qamar, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister of Sindh on Investment and Public-Private Partnership, during a high-level meeting with members of the business community on May 1.
A Game-Changer for Mobility and Economic Development
Currently under full-scale construction for the past two years, the bridge is designed to reduce crossing time over the Indus River from 2.5 hours to just 15 minutes. This dramatic reduction in travel time is expected to boost commerce, improve access to services, and stimulate regional development.
Strategically located at the tri-junction of Sindh, Punjab, and Balochistan, the bridge will serve as a critical artery for trade and transit in the region. “This will not only bring prosperity to Pakistan but to the broader region as well,” Qamar added.
Targeting Law and Order Challenges in the Katcha Areas
Beyond transportation, the project also aims to address chronic law and order issues, particularly in the katcha areas—the remote, low-lying regions along the river known for incidents of kidnapping and limited state presence.
“It will help address long-standing issues such as law and order and incidents of kidnapping in katcha areas,” Qamar stated. The bridge is also expected to improve state accessibility and foster security in these underdeveloped territories.
Balancing Development Between Ghotki and Kandhkot
While Ghotki has experienced notable improvements in infrastructure and industrial activity, Kandhkot has remained relatively underdeveloped. The new bridge is seen as a catalyst for equitable growth in the region.
“The bridge will open up job opportunities for people in Kandhkot and improve their livelihoods,” Qamar emphasized, underlining the project’s potential to drive inclusive economic uplift.
Massive Public-Private Investment push unveiled
In addition to the bridge, Qamar presented a comprehensive portfolio of public-private partnership (PPP) projects worth over Rs616 billion, spanning critical sectors such as transport, education, healthcare, and special economic zones.
The meeting, aimed at attracting private sector investment, was attended by top-tier business leaders, including MNA Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Zubair Motiwala, and industrialist Arif Habib. Other key participants included Arif Elahi, Danish Khan, Junaid Naqi, Zahid Saeed, Sameer Chinoy, and Danish Elahi.
These PPP initiatives represent a bold vision for infrastructural and social development through collaborative governance and private capital mobilisation.