Motorways of Pakistan
The Motorways of Pakistan are a series of high-speed, limited-access highways in Pakistan, which are maintained and operated by the National Highway Authority.
Features
Pakistan motorway sign
Motorways are either six-lanes or four-lanes with a universal minimum speed limit of 80 km/h and maximum speed limit of 100 km/h for heavy transport vehicles and 120 km/h for light transport vehicles. They have a central median and are fenced on the outside for safety and prevention of unauthorized access by pedestrians, animals and slow-moving vehicles. Entry to all motorways in Pakistan are restricted to fast moving vehicles only. Pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles, animal-driven carriages and other slow moving vehicles are not permitted onto the motorways. The Pakistan National Highways & Motorways Police do, however, use heavy motorbikes for patrolling purposes.
By August 2011, operational motorways in Pakistan had a combined length of 679.5 km with another 278 km under construction and at least 1,200 km further planned. Pakistan's motorways are part of Pakistan's National Trade Corridor Project, which aims to link Pakistan's three Arabian Sea ports, namely Karachi Port, Port Bin Qasim and Gwadar Port to the rest of the country and further north with Afghanistan, Central Asia and China.
By August 2011, operational motorways in Pakistan had a combined length of 679.5 km with another 278 km under construction and at least 1,200 km further planned. Pakistan's motorways are part of Pakistan's National Trade Corridor Project, which aims to link Pakistan's three Arabian Sea ports, namely Karachi Port, Port Bin Qasim and Gwadar Port to the rest of the country and further north with Afghanistan, Central Asia and China.
History
Nawaz Sharif
The construction of motorways in Pakistan was first envisaged by the government of former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif.Pakistan's first motorway, the 367 km 6-lane M-2, was inaugurated in November 1997 and was the first motorway to be built in South Asia.
Since the completion of the M-2, two additional motorways have become operational. These are the 54 km 4-lane M-3 and the 154 km 6-lane M-1. Additional motorways are currently under-construction, these are the 233 km 4-lane M-4 and 4-lane M-8.
Since the completion of the M-2, two additional motorways have become operational. These are the 54 km 4-lane M-3 and the 154 km 6-lane M-1. Additional motorways are currently under-construction, these are the 233 km 4-lane M-4 and 4-lane M-8.
M1
M-1 motorway entrance from Peshawar
The M1 is a motorway in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. It is 175 km long, with 67 km in Punjab and the remaining 108 km in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. It has become a vital link to Afghanistan and Central Asia and is expected to take much traffic off the highly used N5. It is part of Pakistan's Motorway Network.
The M1 was conceived by deposed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in his first term but was not inaugurated until 2004 by President Pervez Musharraf. On 30 October 2007, the remaining portion was inaugurated by President Musharraf and was opened to the public on 31 October 2007.
The M1 begins northeast of Peshawar as it moves in an eastern direction, crossing over the Kabul River. From here it passes through Charsadda, Risalpur, Swabi and Rashakai before crossing the Indus River. It leaves Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province and enters into Punjab, in which it passes through Attock, Burhan and Hasan Abdal. It ends as the continuation of the M2. The whole stretch of the M1 consists of 6 lanes with a number of rest areas along the route.M1 has 9 interchanges at Fatehjang, Bhatar, Burhan, Rashaki, Swabi, Chachh (under construction), Charsadda, Northern Bypass and Ring road on N-5. There are 3 major bridges on Haro, Indus and Kabul rivers, 18 flyovers, 27 other bridges, 137 underpasses and 571 culverts. 10 services areas five on the each side of the motorway would be provided out of which, four mini service areas at 4km and 106km have been completed. Six main service areas at Haro bridge, Indus River and Kabul River will start functioning after some time as they are still under constructions.
The M1 was conceived by deposed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in his first term but was not inaugurated until 2004 by President Pervez Musharraf. On 30 October 2007, the remaining portion was inaugurated by President Musharraf and was opened to the public on 31 October 2007.
The M1 begins northeast of Peshawar as it moves in an eastern direction, crossing over the Kabul River. From here it passes through Charsadda, Risalpur, Swabi and Rashakai before crossing the Indus River. It leaves Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province and enters into Punjab, in which it passes through Attock, Burhan and Hasan Abdal. It ends as the continuation of the M2. The whole stretch of the M1 consists of 6 lanes with a number of rest areas along the route.M1 has 9 interchanges at Fatehjang, Bhatar, Burhan, Rashaki, Swabi, Chachh (under construction), Charsadda, Northern Bypass and Ring road on N-5. There are 3 major bridges on Haro, Indus and Kabul rivers, 18 flyovers, 27 other bridges, 137 underpasses and 571 culverts. 10 services areas five on the each side of the motorway would be provided out of which, four mini service areas at 4km and 106km have been completed. Six main service areas at Haro bridge, Indus River and Kabul River will start functioning after some time as they are still under constructions.
M2
Motorway M2 near Salt Ranges of Khewra
The M-2 is a motorway in the Punjab province of Pakistan. It is 367 km long and connects Lahore with Islamabad. It passes through Kala Shah Kaku, Sheikhupura, Khanqah Dogran,Kot Sarwar, Pindi Bhattian, Salem, Lilla, Kot Momin, Kallar Kahar, Balksar, and Chakri before ending just outside the twin cities Rawalpindi and Islamabad. It then continues on to eventually become the M1 motorway linking the twin cities with Peshawar. The M-2 crosses the junction of the M3 to Faisalabad at Pindi Bhattian. It is part of Pakistan's Motorway Network. One of the most expensive motorways in Asia, it has the highest pillared-bridge in Asia (At the Khewra Salt Range). The most interesting fact is that it can be used by Pakistan Air Force to land or take off many Fighter Jets.
The M-2 was conceived by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in his first term (1990–1993) and later inaugurated on November 26, 1997, during his second term. In late 2006, upgrades were made to the portion of the M-2 passing through the Salt Ranges due to increasing complaints of drivers. The upgrades included better marking of the road lines and increased size of road signs for easy visibility.The M-2 starts to the west of Lahore, at the Thokar Niaz Baig junction of N-5 (National Highway No. 5). Once it crosses the Ravi River, it diverges from the N-5 (Also known as GT or Grand Trunk Road) and heads west towards Sheikhupura. After passing the Sheikhupura Interchange Khanqah Dogran Interchange comes at a distance of 36 km from the Sheikhupura Interchange. After once at Pindi Bhattian, it crosses the M3 junction and turns north-west. It continues all the way to Kallar Kahar, where it enters the Salt Ranges. Once past the Salt Ranges, the M-2 turns north and ends just west of Rawalpindi at the junction between the Islamabad Link Road and the M1. The whole stretch of the M-2 consists of 6 lanes, and there are a number of rest areas along the route, with washroom and eating facilities.
M3
Faisalabad M3 Motorway Interchange
The M3 is a motorway that links the city of Faisalabad with the M2 motorway. The M3 will eventually become an important link connecting southern Pakistan with the north. It is only 53 km long making it the shortest motorway of Pakistan. It has 2 junctions in between.The M3 starts at Pindi Bhattian, a small town located at the junction between the M2 and M3. It then passes Southwest and ends in Chiniot, a small city located outside Faisalabad. The whole stretch of the M3 consists of 4 lanes with no rest areas along the route. However there is a gas station on both sides of the carriageways. This project was completed under the government of then President General Pervez Musharraf.
M4 Motorway
The M4 is an under construction motorway in Punjab province, Pakistan. It will be a 233 km long, 4-lane with capacity to increase to 6-lanes access controlled motorway with 8 junctions (Interchanges) in the planning. It would connect the M3 to the M5 and the cities of Faisalabad and Multan. Its ground breaking ceremony was done on 19 August 2009 and is expected to take 3 years to complete. Upon completion it would connect southern Punjab to Pakistan's Motorway Network.
Construction began on 19 August 2009 with the ground-breaking ceremony performed by Pakistan's Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani. Construction is expected to take three years to complete. The M4 will be constructed in four stages: (i) Faisalabad-Gojra (58 km), (ii) Gojra-Shorkot (61 km), (iii) Shorkot-Din Pur-Khanewal (65 km) and (iv) Khanewal-Multan (65 km), whereas two large bridges will be constructed on the River Ravi and Shadhnai Channel. Estimated cost is USD 601 million.
The M4 will begin at the termination of the M3 at the Sargodha Road Interchange on the northern outskirts of Faisalabad. It will continue on a southwest course connecting the cities of Faisalabad, Jhang, Gojra, Toba Tek Singh, Shorkot, Talamba, Khanewal and Multan. Once at Khanewal, it will merge onto the N5 temporarily until the M5 is complete.
Construction began on 19 August 2009 with the ground-breaking ceremony performed by Pakistan's Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani. Construction is expected to take three years to complete. The M4 will be constructed in four stages: (i) Faisalabad-Gojra (58 km), (ii) Gojra-Shorkot (61 km), (iii) Shorkot-Din Pur-Khanewal (65 km) and (iv) Khanewal-Multan (65 km), whereas two large bridges will be constructed on the River Ravi and Shadhnai Channel. Estimated cost is USD 601 million.
The M4 will begin at the termination of the M3 at the Sargodha Road Interchange on the northern outskirts of Faisalabad. It will continue on a southwest course connecting the cities of Faisalabad, Jhang, Gojra, Toba Tek Singh, Shorkot, Talamba, Khanewal and Multan. Once at Khanewal, it will merge onto the N5 temporarily until the M5 is complete.
M5,M6,M7 Motorways
M5,M6,M7 are planned to built.
M8 Motorway
The M8 is an under-construction motorway in Balochistan and Sindh provinces of Pakistan. The M8 is being constructed by Pakistan's National Highway Authority. Construction of the M8 commenced on 15 October 2004. The M8 will have 4-lanes and a total length of 892 km. Initially, 2-lanes will be constructed after the completion of which another 2-lanes will be added, thus making a total of 4-lanes.
The M8 will start from Ratodero in Sindh Province and enter Balochistan Province passing near the towns of Khuzdar, Awaran, Hoshab, Turbat before joining the Makran Coastal Highway just east of the port city of Gwadar. The M8 will cross the Dasht River and pass near the Mirani Dam in Balochistan Province.
The M8 will start from Ratodero in Sindh Province and enter Balochistan Province passing near the towns of Khuzdar, Awaran, Hoshab, Turbat before joining the Makran Coastal Highway just east of the port city of Gwadar. The M8 will cross the Dasht River and pass near the Mirani Dam in Balochistan Province.
M9 Motorway
The M9, also known as "Super Highway", is a 138 km long motorway connecting the cities of Hyderabad and Karachi in Sindh province of Pakistan. It is part of Pakistan's Motorway Network.
The M9 begins north of Karachi at the end of Mohammad Ali Jinnah Road, near junction of Karachi Northern Bypass also known as M10. It is connected with the Karachi Northern Bypass with a trumpet interchange. Then it continues out of the city. From there it continues on a north-east track and forms a junction with the N5 via a link road. The motorway ends outside of Hyderabad, in the suburban town of Kotri with a cloverleaf interchange. From there it merges onto the N5.
The M9 begins north of Karachi at the end of Mohammad Ali Jinnah Road, near junction of Karachi Northern Bypass also known as M10. It is connected with the Karachi Northern Bypass with a trumpet interchange. Then it continues out of the city. From there it continues on a north-east track and forms a junction with the N5 via a link road. The motorway ends outside of Hyderabad, in the suburban town of Kotri with a cloverleaf interchange. From there it merges onto the N5.
M10 Motorway
The M10 is a motorway located in Sindh province, Pakistan, however it is mostly referred to as the Karachi Northern Bypass. It is 57 km long and consists of 4 lanes (2 lanes operational). The construction work on the Bypass started started in 2002 and was completed in 2007.
The M10 begins north of Karachi at the end of Mohammad Ali Jinnah Road, near the junction of the M9 to which it is connected through a Trumpet interchange. It then continues north for a few kilometers before turning west, where it forms an interchange with the N25. After this interchange it eventually turns south back towards Karachi and merges onto the KPT Flyover at Karachi Port.
The M10 begins north of Karachi at the end of Mohammad Ali Jinnah Road, near the junction of the M9 to which it is connected through a Trumpet interchange. It then continues north for a few kilometers before turning west, where it forms an interchange with the N25. After this interchange it eventually turns south back towards Karachi and merges onto the KPT Flyover at Karachi Port.
