Motorways of Pakistan

The Motorways of Pakistan are a network of high-quality, international-standard 'limited access' highways in Pakistan, which are maintained and operated by the National Highway Authority. Pakistan's motorways are either six-lanes or four-lanes and are 'limited-access' with a minimum speed limit of 80 km/h and a maximum speed limit of 120 km/h. They have a central median and are fenced on the outside for safety and to prevent unauthorized access. In 2009, operational motorways in Pakistan had a combined length of 770 km.

Entry to all motorways in Pakistan is restricted to fast moving vehicles only. Two wheelers (motorcycles and bicycles) and slow moving traffic modes are not allowed. However, the Motorway Police personnel use heavy motor bikes for patrolling purposes. Construction and agricultural machinery is also restricted.

History

The construction of motorways in Pakistan was first proposed by the former Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif when he called for a motorway between Lahore and the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The idea behind a motorway was supported by many in the country, however, Nawaz Sharif was criticized for the plan. Instead, many wanted the first motorway to be built between the two largest cities in Pakistan (Lahore and Karachi).

However, the plan went ahead and Pakistan's first motorway, the M2, was completed in 1997 and was the first motorway to be built in South Asia. The contract was awarded to the Korean firm Daewoo. It has six-lanes and links the federal capital Islamabad with Punjab's provincial capital Lahore and its length is 367 km. Since then, the network has been further extended to Sargodha and then to Faisalabad with the M3, which has four-lanes and a length of 53 km. The M1 from Islamabad to the NWFP's capital Peshawar was completed in 2007. It has six-lanes and a length of 154 km.

More motorways are being planned in Pakistan and some are also being built by local as well as foreign firms. M8 will link Gwadar with other central and South Asian countries. M9 will link Hyderabad with Karachi.

Since then the M3, M9, M10, and M1 has become operational. The M8 will continue to be built up until late 2010.

List of Pakistan's Motorways

Sign	Name	Route	Details
	M1	Peshawar to Islamabad	154 km / 6 Lanes / Access Controlled / Operational
	M2	Lahore to Islamabad	367 km / 6 Lanes / Access Controlled / Operational
	M3	Pindi Bhattian to Faisalabad (linking M2 to Faisalabad)	54 km / 4 Lanes / Access Controlled / Operational
	M4	Faisalabad to Multan	Access Controlled / Planned
	M5	Multan to Dera Ghazi Khan	Access Controlled / Planned
	M6	Dera Ghazi Khan to Ratodero	Access Controlled / Planned
	M7	Ratodero to Karachi	Access Controlled / Planned
	M8	Ratodero to Gwadar	4 Lanes / Access Controlled / Under Construction (2 lane road completed and operational)
	M9	Karachi to Hyderabad	138 km / 4 Lanes / Access Controlled / Operational
	M10	Also referred to as the Karachi Northern Bypass	57 km / 6 Lanes / Access Controlled / Operational
	M11 (LSM)	Lahore to Sialkot	6 Lanes / Access Controlled / Under Construction

See also

• National Highways of Pakistan
• M2
• Karakorum Highway
• Makran Coastal Highway
• Transport in Pakistan
• National Highway Authority

External links

• National Highway Authority

References

• http://www.nha.gov.pk