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2.3 Pakistan Road Network

Pakistan Road NetworkDistance MatrixWeighbridges and Axle Load LimitsRoad Class and Surface ConditionsInternational corridors

Pakistan Road Network

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For information on road contact details, please see the following link:

4.1 Pakistan Government Contact List

(Sources: Pakistan Transport Plan Study, 2006; Pak Econ Survey, 2010; National Transport Research Center– Deputy Chief of NTRC)

Road is the dominant mode of inland traffic in Pakistan and carries 91% of passenger traffic and 96% of freight traffic (Source: NHA) . Current road density in Pakistan is 0.32km/km-sq. Pakistan’s road network is vital for the movement of people and goods and plays an important role in integrating the country, facilitating economic growth and reducing poverty. Pakistan has a road network covering 259,618 kilometres including 179,290 KM of high type roads and 80,328 KM of low type roads. Total roads, which were 229,595 KM in 199697, increased to 259,618 KM by 200910 (JulMar) an increase of 13 percent. A sizable and continuous improvement of the high type road network was observed from 199697 to 200910 (JulMar). (Pak Econ Survey,2010)

The distance between Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan in the north-east of the country, and Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh having two important international ports, is about 1, 200 km (PTPS, 2006). This forms the main transport corridor of Pakistan, with the bulk of freight transport passing through it.About 60% of the road network in Pakistan consists of paved roads.

National Highways:

The National Highways of Pakistan consists of all public highways maintained by under the . It maintains National Highways Authority Ministry of Transportover 12,000 kilometres (7,500 mi) of roadways organised into various classifications which crisscross the country and provide access to major population centres. These are not to be confused with provincial highways, which are provincial roads maintained by the respective provinces. Pakistan's national highways include the famous , , and .Grand Trunk Road Indus Highway Karakoram Highway Makran Coastal Highway

All national highways in Pakistan are pre-fixed with the letter 'N' (for "National") followed by the unique numerical designation of the specific highway (with a hyphen in the middle), e.g. "N-5". Each numerical designation is separated by five numerals, i.e. N-5, N-10, N-15, etc.

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National Highways are distinct from 'Strategic Highways', which begin with the prefix 'S' and are owned, controlled and operated by the Ministry of Defense.

National Highways

Sign Course Length Existing Status Lanes Completion

Karachi – Torkham 1819 km 1819 km via , , , Gujranwala, , Hyderabad Multan Lahore Gujrat Islama, , bad Rawalpindi Peshawar

6 1952

Karachi – (Gwadar Makran )Coastal Highway

653 km 653 km via , Omara Pasni 2 2003

Mansehra – Chilas 240 km 240 km via Naran 2  

Karachi – (Chaman RCD )Highway

813 km 813 km via , , , Bela Khuzdar Kalat Quetta 2  

Basima – Khuzdar 110 km 110 km   2  

Hasan Abdal – Khunjerab Pass 806 km 806 km via , , becoming Abbottabad Thakot Gilgit China National Highway 314

4  

Quetta – Taftan 610 km 610 km via becoming Naukundi Road 84 in Iran 2  

Nowshera – Chitral 309 km 309 km via Dir 2  

Kuchlack – Dera Ismail Khan 531 km 531 km via Zhob 2  

Karachi – Peshawar 1264 km 1264 km via , , , Kotri Shikarpur Dera Ghazi Khan Kohat 4 (6)  

Quetta – Sukkar 385 km 385 km via Sibi 2  

QilaSaifullah – Multan 447 km 447 km via , Loralai Dera Ghazi Khan 2  

Islamabad – Kohala 90 km 90 km via Murree 4  

Islamabad – Kohat 146 km 146 km   2  

Hushab – Surab 487 km 487 km   2  

Khwazakhela – Besham 64 km 64 km via Alpuri 2  

Chakdara – Kalam 135 km 135 km via , , Mingora Madyan Bahrain 2  

N-105 National Highway

Larkana – – Naudero Lakhi 61 km 61 km   2  

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N-110 National Highway

Gharo – KetiBunder 90 km 90 km   2  

N-120 National Highway

Hyderabad – Khorkhrapar 220 km 220 km via , Mirpur Khas Umerkot 2  

N-125 National Highway

Taxila – Haripur 44 km 44 km via Khanpur 2  

N-155 National Highway

Larkana - MoenjoDaro 28 km 28 km   2  

N-255 National Highway

Larkana - Nasirabad 34 km 34 km   2  

N-305 National Highway

Sakrand - Nawabshah 35 km 35 km   2  

N-455 National Highway

Larkana - Shahdadkot 50 km 50 km   2  

  Ratodero - Naudero 18 km 18 km   2  

  Total 12131 km

12131 km

     

Distance Matrix

Distance From City Distance To City Distance (km)

Karachi (Sindh) Between Lahore (Punjab)Distance 1030.38

Faisalabad (Punjab)Between Rawalpindi (Punjab)Distance 242.77

Multan (Punjab)Between Hyderabad (Sindh)Distance 617.81

Gujranwala (Punjab)Between Peshawar (North-West Frontier)Distance 319.04

Quetta (Balochistan)Between Islamabad (Islamabad)Distance 685.82

Bahawalpur (Punjab)Between Sargodha (Punjab)Distance 312.96

Sialkot (Punjab)Between Sukkur (Sindh)Distance 761.47

Larkana (Sindh)Between Shekhupura (Punjab)Distance 723.89

Jhang Sadr (Punjab)Between Gujrat (Punjab)Distance 220.45

Mardan (North-West Frontier)Between Kasur (Punjab)Distance 409.85

Dera Ghazi Khan (Punjab) Sahiwal (Punjab)Distance 246.09

Nawabshah (Sindh)Between Mingaora (North-West Frontier) 1020.27

Okara (Punjab)Between Mirpur Khas (Sindh)Distance 730.48

Chiniot (Punjab)Between Kamoke (Punjab)Distance 121

Sadiqabad (Punjab)Between Burewala (Punjab)Distance 320.46

Jacobabad (Sindh)Between Muzaffargarh (Punjab)Distance 333.58

Muridke (Punjab)Between Jhelum (Punjab)Distance 135.17

Shikarpur (Sindh)Between Hafizabad (Punjab)Distance 667.61

Kohat (North-West Frontier) Khanpur (Punjab)Distance 554.09

Khuzdar (Balochistan)Between Dadu (Sindh)Distance 165.41

Gojra (Punjab)Between MandiBahauddin (Punjab)Distance 177.05

TandoAllahyar (Sindh)Between Daska (Punjab)Distance 939.62

Pakpattan (Punjab)Between Bahawalnagar (Punjab)Distance 42.74

Tando Adam (Sindh)Between Khairpur (Sindh)Distance 196.69

ChishtianMandi (Punjab)Between Jaranwala (Punjab)Distance 178.91

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Distance From City Distance To City Distance (km)

Ahmadpur East (Punjab)Between Vihari (Punjab)Distance 143.59

Kamalia (Punjab)Between KotAddu (Punjab)Distance 163.95

Khushab (Punjab)Between Wazirabad (Punjab)Distance 166.54

Dera Ismail Khan (North-West Frontier)Between Chakwal (Punjab)Distance 221.33

Swabi (North-West Frontier) Lodhran (Punjab)Distance 516.1

Nowshera Cantonment (North-West Frontier)Between Charsadda (North-West Frontier)Distance 30.76

Jalalpur (Punjab)Between Mianwali (Punjab)Distance 248.26

Chaman (Balochistan)Between Kandhkot (Sindh)Distance 397.97

Hasilpur (Punjab)Between Arifwala (Punjab)Distance 80.36

Attock City (Punjab)Between Chichawatni (Punjab)Distance 361.48

Bhakkar (Punjab)Between Kharian (Punjab)Distance 294.39

Leiah (Punjab)Between Kambar (Sindh)Distance 470.11

Moro (Sindh)Between MianChannun (Punjab)Distance 598.9

Turbat (Balochistan)Between Shahdadkot (Sindh)Distance 522.73

Bhalwal (Punjab)Between Dipalpur (Punjab)Distance 191.48

Badin (Sindh)Between PanoAqil (Sindh)Distance 356.93

Kotri (Sindh)Between Tando Muhammad Khan Distance(Sindh) 34.98

Harunabad (Punjab)Between Pattoki (Punjab)Distance 170.31

KahrorPakka (Punjab)Between Gujar Khan (Punjab)Distance 427

Kot Malik (Balochistan)Between Chuhar Kana (Punjab)Distance 671.01

Toba Tek Singh (Punjab)Between Narowal (Punjab)Distance 260.01

Shorko (North-West Frontier) Shahdadpur (Sindh)Distance 700

Shabqadar (North-West Frontier) Mansehra (North-West Frontier)Distance 151.69

Shujaabad (Punjab)Between Haveli (Punjab)Distance 239.16

Lala Musa (Punjab)Between Mailsi (Punjab)Distance 364.58

Distances from Capital City to Major Towns (km)

  Islamabad Karachi Lahore Peshawar Quetta Multan Mingora Gwadar

Islamabad   1350 300 180 800 480 170 1600

Karachi 1350   1030 1300 700 850 1450 550

Lahore 300 1030   450 860 370 480 1600

Peshawar 180 1300 450   700 700 140 1550

Quetta 800 700 860 700   500 850 850

Multan 480 850 370 700 500   620 1250

Mingora 170 1450 480 140 850 620   1700

Gwadar 1600 550 1600 1550 850 1250 1700  

Weighbridges and Axle Load Limits

Weighbridges

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NHA has 54 weigh stations to enforce axle load limits. Currently the fine for overloading is about Rs. 100 per ton, but there are many problems with enforcing these fines due to the weigh stations being located in remote areas in many cases.

Operators and drivers often negotiate these fines in case of large amounts of overloading. Another issue is that there is often limited space for unloading at the weigh station, as well as limited parking space for overloaded trucks.

Follow below link for a listing of weighbridges in the country:

http://www.phonebook.com.pk/dynamic/search.aspx?SearchType=kl&k=Weighbridge&l=Pakistan

Axle Load Limits

The National Highways Safety Ordinance 2000 stipulates maximum axle loads and tyre pressures:

Front axle – 5 tonnesSingle axle – 12 tonnesTandem axle – 22 tonnesTridem axle – 33 tonnesTyre pressure rear axle 120 psiTyre pressure – front axle 100 psi

Some concessions were allowed on National Highways through agreement with the NHA, but none on the motorway.

Truck Type Allowed on National Highways Allowed on Motorways

2 AX SINGLE (BEDFORD) 20 17.5

2 AX SINGLE (HINO/ NISSAN) 23 17.5

3 AX TANDEM 32 27.5

3 AX SINGLE 32 29.5

4 AX SINGLE TANDEM 42 39.5

4 AX TANDEM SINGLE 42 39.5

4 AX SINGLE 44 41.5

5 AX SINGLE TRIDEM 51 48.5

5 AX TANDEM TANDEM 52 49.5

5 AX SINGLE SINGLE TANDEM 54 51.5

5 AX TANDEM SINGLE SINGLE 54 51.5

6 AX TANDEM TRIDEM 61 58.5

6 AX TANDEM SINGLE TANDEM 64 61.5

Road Class and Surface Conditions

ROAD LENGTH AND DENSITY TABLE (Source: NTRC, 2006)

  Pakistan Punjab Sindh KPK Balochistan

Total Road Length (km) 258, 214 106. 140 79, 834 30, 049 42, 191

%age of paved road 63% 78% 69% 46% 13%

Area (km2 ) 796,095 206,250 140,914 101,741 347,190

Road Density (km/km2) 0.32 0.51 0.57 0.30 0.12

Population (million) 148.72 85.33 32.99 23.26 7.14

Road Length per

Mil. People (km)

1,736 1,244 2,420 1,292 5,909

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Number of Registered Vehicles 4,974,000 2,920,984 1,457,323 430,429 165,264

Road Length per 1,000 Vehicles 52 36 55 70 255

ADMINISTRATIVE CLASSIFICATION OF ROADS – (Source: NTRC, 2006)

Classification Administration Length Function

National Highway, Motorways,

Strategic Roads.National Highway Authority (NHA), Ministry of Communications

9, 000 km Representing the main transport corridors and providing inter-provincial linkages and connections to the neighboring countries

Provincial Roads Communications and Works Department (C&WD);

Works and Services Department ( WSD), and;

Frontier Highway Authority (FHA)

101, 000km

Providing access to the economic and population centres in the four provinces

District Roads District Government 94,000km Providing access to villages and remote areas

Municipal and Cantonment Roads Municipal Government and army 54,000km Providing access to villages and remote areas.

There are 14 National Highways (8,600 km), 5 Motorways (767 km), and two Strategic Roads (270km) in Pakistan as listed in the tableabove.

N5 is the longest and most important National Highway. N-55 is the second longest National Highway. N-25 is an important international and national highway connecting Karachi with Quetta and Chaman on the Afghanistan border.

There are many topographical obstacles on the National Highways. For example, the Kohat tunnel has only 2 lanes despite the importance of N-55. N-70 has a very dangerous mountainous section between D.G.Khan and Fort Munro, where on a winding section, rocks stick out over the road, and slopes are very steep.

The Khushalgarh Bridge over the River Indus on N-80 is old and narrow. This bridge crosses its access roads at right angles, disallowing container trucks to pass over it. The Lowari Rail Tunnel Project is underway to overcome such topographical obstacles on N-45. The Malakand Tunnel (N-45) and the Lakpass Tunnel ( N-25) are also planned to improve road transport. Many new bridges over the River Indus and other big rivers are proposed.

The major function of National Highways is to carry inter-provincial traffic or long distance traffic along national corridors, connecting the major cities. Accordingly, National Highways have many congested cities as bottlenecks along their routes. Many bypasses have been constructed in major cities for National Highways to avoid congestion. However, soon after opening a bypass for a city, the city begins to grow along the bypass, and the growth continues until the bypass soon ceases to function properly. This is where more controlled access to national highways could alleviate the situation.

NHA plans to develop a network of full access controlled Motorways as a new economic corridor to provide fast transportation of goods and passengers. The total length of the planned Motorway network is 2,734 km.

Issues: Overloading by trucks is a typical phenomenon in the transport sector in Pakistan. It is common for 2-axle trucks, having a high vertical limit on the rear, carry heavy loads to the extent of the dimensional limit instead of the tonnage limit. Overloading causes severe road maintenance issues due to the weight over the capacity of the pavement, as well as unwanted road accidents.

International corridors

For information on Pakistan international corridors, please see the following document:

Pakistan International Corridors Leading to the Country