ISLAMABAD: A photo exhibition of the recently reconstructed section of the National Highway (N-25), which connects Chaman to Kalat via Quetta, was inaugurated by American Ambassador David Hale on Thursday at the Aqs Gallery.

National Highway Authority (NHA) Chairman Shahid Ashraf Tarar and Frontier Works Organisation Director Maj Gen Mohammad Afzal were also present on the occasion.

The photos in the exhibition portray various scenes from life on and around the new American funded highway.

The primary contractor for the project, Frontier Works Organisation started work on the highway in October 2014 with a funding of $63 million from USAID.

For years, the road originating from Chaman and ending in Karachi was obstructed, hence restricting trade and severing the rural population from necessary services.

With its completion and renovation, the road will now rehabilitate the lives of the people of Balochistan by increasing access to basic healthcare, education and other socialservices.

`This road is a concrete dem-onstration of America`s commitment to help bring peace, stability and prosperity to Pakistan. It is a testament to the far-reaching benefits of our partnership, as it will serve the people of Pakistan for generations to come,` the American ambassador said at the inauguration.

USAID`s Pakistan Mission Director John Groarke spokeabout the importance of relations between the US and Pakistan.

`USA ID`s program in Pakistan is one of the agency`s largest in the world and that is a reflection on the importance that the US government and USID place on its relationship with Pakistan, he said.

In reference to whether global political situations or the terror-about the importance of relations between the US and Pakistan.

`USA ID`s program in Pakistan is one of the agency`s largest in the world and that is a reflection on the importance that the US government and USID place on its relationship with Pakistan, he said.

In reference to whether global political situations or the terror-ist tension may cause hindrance in the US` commitment to help bring peace, stability and prosperity to Pakistan, Mr Groarke said that irrespective of the character of government in either of the countries, the recognition of the importance of the relationship between Pakistan and the US shall remain.

`Despite all the progress thatwe have made, when we look towards the future we recognise that alotneeds to be done.The US is going to be here, working together with Pakistanis as friends and as partners till we reach our common objective; that is the day that Pakistan will need no economic assistance, he said.

He appreciated the coopera-tion of the government, the Frontier Works Organisation and the NHA in meeting security and logistical challenges and overcoming them in the rural areas of Balochistan.

The successful completion of projects like these instils hope for the development of the country,he said,addingthatthe highway will connect Pakistan withAfghanistan and its central Asian neighbours. He said an additional fund of $27 million was allocated for further improvement.

To date, USAID has funded the construction and rehabilitation of more than 1,100 kilometres of roads in Pakistan, including the four major trade routes between Pakistan and Afghanistan.