Multiple lanes, high-speed, and restricted access roadways make up Pakistan’s motorway network. Nearly 1428 kilometers of motorways have been put into service as of April 1, 2019, while another 2838 kilometers are under development. To connect Karachi Port, Bin Qasim Port, and Gwadar Port to the rest of Pakistan and the rest of the world via Pakistan’s “National Trade Corridor Project,” these motorways have been built. These motorways will connect Gwadar Port (Afghanistan) to Kashgar (China) under the CPEC. Invest in commercial properties in Capital Smart City.
Background:
For the “National Trade Corridor Project,” the country’s motorways and highways are a crucial aspect in connecting Pakistan’s three major Arabian Seaports (Karachi Port, Port Bin Qasim, and Gwadar Port) with the rest of the country and with Afghanistan, Central Asia, and China to the north. In 1990, the concept was conceived. There are plans for a China Pakistan Economic Corridor to connect Gwadar Port in Pakistan with Kashgar in China via Pakistani motorways, national highways, and expressways.
Intercity travel in Pakistan has never been easier, safer, or more convenient than now, thanks to Pakistan’s extensive network of highways. These highways connect cities, but they also provide access to tourism spots around the country. “China-Pakistan Belt Road Initiative” unites all of Pakistan’s major trade routes, beginning at Khunjerab Pass near the Chinese border and continuing to Gwadar in Balochistan, as part of National Trade Corridor Project. The freeway system in Pakistan, on the other hand, efficiently connects the whole nation, as we’ll see in the following post.
List of Motorways in Pakistan:
The National Highway Authority (NHA) is in charge of the entire system of high interstate expressways in Pakistan, which is based on the following roadways.
| Motorway Name | Route | Length |
| M-1 | Peshawar to Islamabad | 155 |
| M-2 | Lahore to Islamabad | 367 |
| M-3 | Lahore to Abdul Hakeem | 230 |
| M-4 | Pindi Battian to Multan | 309 |
| M-5 | Multan to Sukkur | 392 |
| M-6 | Sukkur to Hyderabad | 296 |
| M-7 | Dadu to Hub | 270 |
| M-8 | Ratodero to Gwadar | 892 |
| M-9 | Hyderabad to Karachi | 136 |
| M-10 | Karachi Northern Bypass | 57 |
| M-11 | Kharian to Lahore | 150 |
| M-14 | Hakla to D.I. Khan | 280 |
| M-15 | Hasan Abdal to Thakot | 180 |
Effective Motorways in Pakistan:
M-1 MOTORWAY:
Fourteen interchanges along the 155-kilometer-long M1 Peshawar–Islamabad Motorway, including Peshawar Ring Road, Charsadda Bypass, Rashakai, Sawabi, and Chachh, as well as the Hazara Expressway (E-35), Burhan (Hassanabdal/Kamra), AWT/Sannjiani, and Paswal in Islamabad. Bridges span the Kabul, Haro, and Indus rivers on the M-1 Peshawar-Islamabad expressway. In addition to the interchanges and crossing bridges, the motorway has 27 short bridges, 137 underpasses, 18 flyovers, and 571 drainage ditches.
M-2 MOTORWAY:
The M2 Islamabad-Lahore Highway was the first motorway built in South Asia in 1997, running 375 kilometers across the lush countryside of Punjab. There are 22 interchanges on this six-lane road, including the M2-M1 Junction, Islamabad, Thalian Interchange, Chakri Interchange, Neelah Dullah Interchange M2, Balkasar Interchange, Kallar Kahar Interchange, Lilla Interchange, Bhera, Saalam Interchange, Kot Momin Interchange, Makhdoom Interchange, Pindi Bhattian Interchange, Sukheki Interchange, Khanqah Dogran Interchange, Hiran Minar interconnection, and Kala Interchange.
Each side of the M-2 Lahore-Islamabad Motorway has five fuel stations and service zones. The Sukheki Service Area, Sial Services Area, Bhera, Kalar Kahar, and Chakri service areas are among these service areas. 60-80 kilometers separates each of these refueling and maintenance stops. M2 Lahore–Islamabad Motorway pit stops are also home to Pakistan’s best-known restaurants. Invest in Blue World City.
M-3 MOTORWAY:
The M3 Motorway, which connects the districts of Abdul Hakeem and Lahore, was inaugurated in March of this year. Lahore begins at the junction of the M2 and M4 motorways and ends at the Abdul Hakeem interchange of the M4 Pindi-Bhattian-Multan motorway. Shah Shams Tabrez Interchange, Vehari Road Interchange, Bahawalpur Road Interchange, and the Sher Shah Interchange are all part of the route’s six-lane highway.
M-4 MOTORWAY:
There are four lanes on each side of the Pindi Bhattian-Multan Motorway, 309 kilometers long. As a highway, it connects Punjab’s major cities such as Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, and Shorkot to Toba Tek Singh, Khanewal, and Abdul Hakeem. There are over a few interchanges on the M-4 expressway, which connects to the M-2, M-3, and M-5 expressways and other major highways in Pakistan.
M-5 MOTORWAY:
As a part of a planned Karachi-Peshawar motorway, the M-5 Multan-Sukkur Motorway is only 392-kilometers long. M-5 highway is an important project of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor as it significantly decreases the time it takes commodities to be delivered from Karakorum Highway to Gwadar and Gwadar. All of Punjab’s major cities are connected by this six-lane highway with eleven interchanges, including the following: Multan; Jalpur Peerwala; Rahimyar Khan; Ahmed Pur East; Sadiqabad; Pano Aqul; Ubar; Sukkur.
M-9 MOTORWAY:
One of Pakistan’s most important highways, the M-9 Hyderabad-Karachi Motorway, has been built over the Karachi-Hyderabad Superhighway to connect Karachi and Hyderabad Sindh’s two largest cities. Eight interchanges were constructed at 136 kilometers, creating a 6-lane expressway with regulated entry/exit points to improve this route. Bahria Town Karachi and DHA City, two of Karachi’s most crucial housing developments, are located along the M-9 Motorway.
One of the most significant intersections on Motorway-9 in South Asia has been inaugurated for traffic and boasts a state-of-the-art infrastructure. The junction provides a direct route from Karachi’s Bahria Town to Sukkur. First-ever interchange in Pakistan funded by a private developer of commercial property. Do you know the location of 1947 Housing?
M-10 MOTORWAY:
From the M-9 Karachi-Hyderabad Expressway, the Northern Bypass of Karachi links straight to the Port of Karachi. This route provides the most efficient means of transportation between both two destinations. The National Highway Authority (NHA) has upgraded this road to a motorway designation, naming it the M-10 Karachi Motorway. From Muhammad Ali Jinnah Road to the KPT flyover, three significant interchanges on the M-10 motorway are the M-9 interchange, Trumpet Junction, and N-25 intersection.
Author Bio
Hamna Siddiqui is a content writer for Sigma Properties. She loves traveling with a great fashion sense, and you will see the reflection of her creativity in her writing. With marketing majors, Hamna understands the details of the niche.