Pakistan has announced the construction of the 100km-long Chakdara-Kalam Road in Swat Valley, which will provide better commuting facilities to locals and tourists.

This was announced by prime minister Nawaz Sharif at a ceremony to distribute cheques to the earthquake victims at Gumkot district.

The construction of the road would boost economic activities and tourism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region.

"The construction of the road would boost economic activities and tourism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region."

The road will reduce the distance and time taken to travel from Chakdara Dir lower district to Kalam Swat.

The project is expected to benefit businessmen involved in fishing, furniture, woolen garments and the hotel industry, reported Pakobserver.net.

The standard of the road would be a motorway.

Last week, the prime minister held a meeting with Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon in Murree, wherein the leaders gave in-principle approval to several road projects that connect Pakistan and Tajikistan.

Three routes were approved, namely the Gwadar-Peshawar-Kabul-Kunduz-Dushanbe, Khunjrab-Kalasu-Murghab and Chitral-Eshkahem-Dushanbe roads.

According to Sharif, connectivity with Tajikistan and the $46bn China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects will help the country transform its economic prospects.