Pakistan: Reconstruction of National Highway N-5 under Pakistan's Resilient Recovery, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Framework Project - Phase 1A (the “Project”)

proposed

The Reconstruction of National Highway N-5 under Pakistan's Resilient Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction Framework Project aims to enhance the climate resilience, operational efficiency, and road safety by reconstructing and upgrading critical four-lane segments into a climate-resilient six-lane dual carriageway. AIIB's financing (referred as the “Multi-phase Program” or “MPP”) encompasses the reconstruction of four sections of N-5, totaling 209 kilometers (km) across Islamabad Capital Territory, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and Sindh provinces, and the reconstruction of a 1-kilometer-long bridge in Sindh province. The MPP aligns with the Phase 1 of the National Highway Authority (NHA) of Pakistan's 20-year, four-phase plan to rebuild and expand this critical national infrastructure. Within this broader MPP framework, the Phase 1A Project (the “Project”) focuses on three key sections of N-5, covering a total of 141 km: Ranipur to Sukkur (70 km) in Sindh Province, Rawalpindi to Burhan (40 km) in Punjab Province and the Islamabad Capital Territory, and Nowshera to Peshawar (31 km) in KP Province. The Phase 1B project will focus on another key section of N-5: Lahore to Gujranwala (68 km) in Punjab province, alongside the reconstruction of the Nai Baran Bridge in Sindh Province. The Phase 1B project will be prepared and approved later than the Phase 1A Project after meeting certain criteria. The Phase 1A Project consists of three components: Civil Works to reconstruct the three critical sections of N-5. Consultancy Support and Capacity Building, including the hiring of a Design Review and Construction Supervision Consultancy, an Independent Environmental and Social Monitoring Consultancy, and the Project Management Unit capacity building. Baseline Cost and Improvements, such as Resettlement and Relocation cost, shifting of utilities, etc. The AIIB has mobilized a USD2 million Project Preparation Special Fund (PPSF) grant to strengthen the preparation of the Project and the MPP by enhancing climate mitigation and resilience, safety, ES assessments, and digital project management capabilities. This Project represents the Bank's first standalone project in Pakistan's transport sector.