Motorways of Pakistan
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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.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/22/Pakistan_motorway_symbol.svg/220px-Pakistan_motorway_symbol.svg.png)
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 |
---|---|---|---|
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M1 | Peshawar to Islamabad | 154 km / 6 Lanes / Access Controlled / Operational |
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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 | 6 lane / Access Controlled / under-construction | |
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