The prime minister, talking to newsmen after inaugurating the construction work on 'Chach Interchange', said it would provide a connection to the area with the Motorway linking Islamabad and Peshawar.
He said it was being constructed on the demand of the people and assured that the government would start such projects at other places for the benefit of the people.
Shaukat Aziz said the interchange, besides providing linkage with the Motorway, would give boost to trade and economic activities in the area.
He said the government had launched various mega projects for improving the national logistics to provide 'trade corridor' through availability of fast, smooth and reliable road network from Peshawar to Karachi. He said "Road network is being expanded throughout the country, linking small and big cities to ensure more progress and prosperity."
Appreciating the performance and work being done by National Highway Authority (NHA), the prime minister said NHA had been assigned major task of expanding road network across the country.
He said Chach Interchange and other such interchanges on the Motorway were for the benefit of the people so that the cost of transportation could be reduced for transporting their goods and products to the markets across the country and abroad.
The prime minister said Pakistan was ready to face challenge of globalisation and expansion of quality road network was one of the steps, being taken by the government in this regard.
He said the government had allocated huge funds for the development projects because the economy had improved and the government had sufficient funds for the development.
He said the present rulers were sincere, dedicated and working honestly. Therefore, the country has been making progress and the people are getting the fruits of the improved economy.
"The government will continue the development projects throughout the country for the welfare and betterment of the people," he added.
The inaugural ceremony was also attended by Minister for Communication Shamim Siddiqui, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Muhammad Ali Durrani, Minister of State for Environment Malik Amin Aslam, Minister of State for Finance Omar Ayub and Nazim Attock Major Tahir Sadiq (Retd).
Secretary Ministry of Communication Tariq Mahmood, officials of Ministry of Communication and NHA were also present on the occasion.
The work on the interchange will be completed by January 2008 at a cost of Rs 419 million and provide access to M1, Motorway to the areas of Ghazi, Huzro, Ghourghushti, Nartopa, Bahbudi, Tarbella and other adjoining areas.
A service road will also be constructed along side the interchange for the benefit of the local commuters. The interchange, which is about 52 km from Islamabad, is part of various underpasses and bridges, being constructed on M1.
The M1 will be completed by August 2007, and will have 22 flyovers, 33 bridges and 85 underpasses on various spots for providing free movement to the traffic on the motorway. It will be completed at a cost of Rs 13.26 billion.