View source for Transport in Pakistan

{{Short description|none}}
{{Cleanup rewrite|date=September 2024}}
{{Use Pakistani English|date=September 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
[[File:Un-pakistan.png|thumb|right|Pakistan transport network]]
'''Transport in Pakistan''' ({{langx|ur|{{Nastaliq|پاکِستان میں نقل و حمل}}}}) is extensive and varied. In recent years, new [[National Highways of Pakistan|national highways]] have been built, with the addition of [[Motorways of Pakistan|motorways]] which have improved trade and logistics within the country. Pakistan's rail network is also undergoing expansion in recent years. [[Airports of Pakistan|Airports]] and [[seaports]] have been built with the addition of foreign and domestic funding. Transportation challenges in Pakistan are escalating due to poor planning, inadequate governance, and corrupt practices.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Masood |first1=Muhammad Tahir |last2=Khan |first2=Azhar |last3=Naqvi |first3=Hasnain A. |date=2011 |title=Transportation Problems in Developing Countries Pakistan: A Case-in-Point |url=https://ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/ijbm/article/view/12870 |journal=International Journal of Business and Management |language=en |volume=6 |issue=11 |page=256 |doi=10.5539/ijbm.v6n11p256 |issn=1833-3850|doi-access=free }}</ref>

== History ==
[[File:General_View_of_Railway_Station_1895.jpg|alt=|left|thumb|[[Lahore Junction railway station|Lahore Junction Railway Station]], c.1895.]]
The history of transport in modern-day Pakistan dates back to the [[Indus Valley civilization]].

The [[Grand Trunk Road]] was a major road commissioned by [[Sher Shah Suri]] in the 16th century and used during the [[Sur Empire|Suri]] and [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] periods. Trees were planted, and mosques and temples built along the road. [[Caravanserai]]s were built for travelers to spend the night.

Railways and Airways were developed during the [[British Raj]]. The first railways in Pakistan were built from 1885.

== Road ==
{{Main|Roads in Pakistan}}
[[File:Pakistan roadway map.jpg|thumb|Roadway network of Pakistan]]
* Total: 263,775&nbsp;km
** Paved: 152,033&nbsp;km (Including 1600&nbsp;km of Motorway and 300&nbsp;km of Expressways)
** Unpaved: 105,650&nbsp;km (2001)
** Vehicles on road: 4.2 million vehicles 250,000 commercial vehicles (2004 estimate)

=== Motorways ===
{{Main|Motorways of Pakistan}}
[[File:M2-Motorway.jpg|thumb|The motorway passes through the [[Salt Range]] mountains]]
The construction of motorways began in the early 1990s, with the idea of building a world-class road network and reducing the load on the heavily used national highways throughout the country. The [[M-2 motorway (Pakistan)|M-2]] was the first motorway completed in 1998, linking the cities of [[Islamabad]] and [[Lahore]]. In the past 5 years, many new motorways have opened up, including the [[M-1 motorway (Pakistan)|M-1]] and [[M-4 motorway (Pakistan)|M-4]]. The M4 is operational and connects the cities of Pindi Bhatian (M-2), Faisalabad and Multan via [[Gojra]], [[Toba Tek Singh]], [[Jhang]], [[Shorkot]], [[Pir Mahal]] and [[Khanewal]]. In 2019 [[M-3 motorway (Pakistan)|M-3]] became operational, which connects Lahore with Multan through Abdul Hakeem and the existing M4 near [[Multan]]. It terminates at the M5, which became operational in 2019. The [[M-5 motorway (Pakistan)|M-5]] lead to the Sukkur District of Sindh. There, the [[M-6 motorway (Pakistan)|M-6]] (which is proposed with construction work to begin soon) will start; the M6 will end at [[Hyderabad, Sindh|Hyderabad]], where it will meet the existing M9 motorway to [[Karachi]]. In addition to this, the [[M-8 motorway (Pakistan)|M-8]] in [[Baluchistan]] province, the longest motorway of Pakistan, is half under construction, half operational. In central Punjab, the Lahore-Sialkot Motorway ([[M-11 motorway (Pakistan)|M-11]]) opened on 18 March 2020 and in KPK province, the Hakka-Dera Ismail Khan Motorway (M14) is also under construction. Swat Motorway has been completed and operational up to Chakdarra. Hazara Motorway one more expressway under construction in KPK province.
=== National Highways ===
{{Main|National Highways of Pakistan}}
[[File:Pakistan Nationalhighways.PNG|thumb|National Highways, Motorways & Strategic Roads of Pakistan.]]
[[File:Pakistani truck in Karakoram Highway, Passu, Northern Areas, Pakistan.jpg|thumb|right|[[Jingle truck]]s on Karakoram Highway]]
During the 1990s, Pakistan began an ongoing project to rebuild all [[National Highways of Pakistan|national highways]] throughout the country specifically to important financial, cargo and textile centers. The [[National Highway Authority (Pakistan)|National Highway Authority]] or NHA is responsible for the maintenance of all national highways in Pakistan.
* The [[Makran Coastal Highway]] follows the coast of Sindh and Balochistan provinces, linking Karachi and Gwadar. Journey time has been reduced to six or seven hours with the construction of the new Coastal Highway. The highway was built as part of an overall plan to improve transport facilities in southern Balochistan.
* The [[Karakoram Highway]] is the highest paved international road in the world. It connects China and Pakistan across the Karakoram mountain range, through the Khunjerab Pass.
* The [[Grand Trunk Road]] (commonly abbreviated to GT Road) is one of South Asia's oldest and longest major roads. For several centuries, it has linked the eastern and western regions of the [[South Asia]], running from Teknaf in Bangladesh, entering West Bengal, India travelling across to north India, into Peshawar in Pakistan.
* The [[Silk Road]] is an extensive interconnected network of trade routes across the Asian continent connecting East, South, and Western Asia with the Mediterranean world, including North Africa and Europe. It passes through the midsection of Pakistan through cities: Peshawar, [[Taxila (modern)|Taxila]] and Multan.

=== Expressways ===
{{Main|Expressways of Pakistan}}

=== Provincial Highways ===
* Provincial Highways of Pakistan administered Kashmir.
* Provincial Highways of Balochistan
* [[Provincial Highways of Gilgit-Baltistan]]
* [[Provincial Highways of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]
* [[Provincial Highways of Punjab]]
* [[Provincial Highways of Sindh]]

===Flyovers and Underpasses===
<gallery mode="packed" widths="200" >
File:Nagan Ch Karachi.jpg|Nagan Chowrangi Flyover, [[Karachi]]
File:Azadi chowk Lahore.jpg|Azadi Chowk Flyover, [[Lahore]]
File:Sufi Barkat Ali Flyover and Under Pass (cropped).jpg|Sufi Barkat Ali Flyover and Underpass, [[Faisalabad]]
</gallery>
Many flyovers and underpasses are located in major urban areas of the country to regulate the flow of traffic. The highest number of flyovers and under passes are located in [[Karachi]], followed by [[Lahore]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1834123/1-work-begins-three-flyovers-karachi?amp=1|title=Work begins on three more flyovers in Karachi|date=25 October 2018|website=The Express Tribune}}</ref> Other cities having flyovers and underpasses for the regulation of flow of traffic includes [[Islamabad-Rawalpindi metropolitan area|Islamabad-Rawalpindi]], [[Peshawar]], [[Gujranwala]], [[Multan]], [[Faisalabad]], [[Hyderabad, Pakistan|Hyderabad]], [[Quetta]], [[Sargodha]], [[Bahawalpur]], [[Sukkur]], [[Larkana]], [[Rahim Yar Khan]] and [[Sahiwal]] etc.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2013/01/09/cm-to-inaugurate-6th-road-flyover-today/|title=CM to inaugurate 6th road flyover today &#124; Pakistan Today|website=www.pakistantoday.com.pk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1116986/infrastructure-jhal-flyover-near-completion-says-minister?amp=1|title=Infrastructure: Jhal flyover near completion, says minister|date=5 June 2016|website=The Express Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/Flyover,+Sargodha,+Punjab,+Pakistan/@32.0811849,72.6671609,13z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x392177a4504530a1:0x9d3ee09ce7f9aa7f?hl=en-US&gl=pk|title=Flyover|website=Flyover}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://beta.dawn.com/news/166170/flyover-in-bahawalpur|title=Flyover in Bahawalpur|date=19 November 2005|website=DAWN.COM}}</ref>

Beijing Underpass, [[Lahore]] is the longest underpass of Pakistan with a length of about {{cvt|1.3|km}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/pakistan/pakistans-longest-underpass-opens-in-lahore-1.2134973|title=Pakistan's longest underpass opens in Lahore|website=gulfnews.com|date=4 December 2017 }}</ref> [[Muslim Town Flyover]], [[Lahore]] is the longest flyover of the country with a length of about {{cvt|2.6|km}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2012/04/30/say-hello-to-the-country%E2%80%99s-largest-flyover/amp/|title=Say hello to the country's largest flyover! &#124; Pakistan Today|website=www.pakistantoday.com.pk}}</ref>

=== Buses ===
Within cities, buses provide a significant role in commuting a large number of travelers from one city to another. Recently, large CNG buses have been put onto the streets of various cities, primarily [[Karachi]] and [[Lahore]], and recently [[Islamabad]],[[Peshawar]] as the minivans which were originally used were beginning to cause large traffic problems. Private yellow and white minivans have services throughout cities in Pakistan and get commuters from one point of the city to the other at a low cost. Since 2000, however, the government has taken a comprehensive initiative to modernize the existing bus fleets and minimally impact the environment. This public-private enterprise would gradually introduce 8,000 CNG buses throughout the country and 800 buses in Karachi. This venture will ensure high standards of efficiency and cleanliness.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.paktribune.com/news/index.php?id=217619 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225090539/http://www.paktribune.com/news/index.php?id=217619 |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 December 2024 |title=Imran Khan sworn-in as PM Pakistan |publisher=PakTribune |access-date=2018-08-18 }}</ref>

* '''Inter city'''

Bus service in urban areas and between cities is well established with services run by both public and private sectors.

* '''International'''
International bus services are also well established in Pakistan and connect to various countries:
{{col div|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Islamabad]]-[[Dushanbe]], Tajikistan (proposed)
* [[Peshawar]]-[[Kabul]], Afghanistan 
* [[Peshawar]]-[[Jalalabad]], Afghanistan 
* [[Gwadar]]-[[Zahidan]], Iran
* [[Karachi]]-[[Quetta]]-[[Zahidan]]-[[Tehran]], Iran (proposed)
* [[Quetta]]-[[Mashad]], Iran
* [[Quetta]]-[[Zahidan]], Iran 
* [[Islamabad]]-[[Kashghar]], China (proposed)
* [[Gilgit]]-[[Kashgar]] see [[Karakoram Highway#Bus service between Gilgit and Kashgar|Karakoram Highway]]
{{col div end}}

=== Taxis ===
Another very common form of transport, seen mainly at hotels and airports, are yellow taxis. Drivers charge according to a meter located on the dashboard of the car, but fares can be negotiated if there is no meter. The cab drivers are reliable and will take passengers to any destination required.

There are also numerous privately run services that use cars and minibuses of various types throughout Pakistan, providing a reliable and quick means of transport. Recently, the Radio Cab was introduced in Pakistan, which allows riders to call a toll-free number to get in touch with the closest taxi stand. This service is currently offered in [[Islamabad]], [[Rawalpindi]], [[Karachi]], [[Peshawar]] and [[Lahore]]. Services for [[Hyderabad, Sindh|Hyderabad]] and [[Faisalabad]] are now being set up. Another local cab service was introduced in August, 2017 with the name iCAB, claiming to be the first cab service of the country with a centralized platform for all kinds of road transportation services, providing app-based services and getting stupendous response from the people of Pakistan. Launched from the capital territory, iCAB will expand its operations to overall 13 cities of the country.

In 2025, the Government of Punjab launched the Green E-Taxi Scheme to provide electric vehicles for taxi drivers, aiming to reduce emissions and modernize urban transport.<ref>{{cite web |title=CM Punjab Green E-Taxi Scheme 2025 – How to Apply, Eligibility & Benefits |url=https://etaxipunjab.pk
 |website=etaxipunjab.pk |access-date=13 September 2025}}</ref>

=== Cars ===
Over the years, the number of cars on Pakistani roads has tripled{{As of?|date=December 2023}}{{Citation needed|date=December 2023}}. Traffic jams are a common scene in major cities across Pakistan. The most popular cars on Pakistani roads are the [[Suzuki Mehran]], [[Suzuki Cultus]], [[Suzuki Alto]], [[Suzuki Carry|Suzuki Bolan]], [[Daihatsu Mira|Daihatsu Coure]], [[Hyundai Santro]], [[Honda Civic]], [[Honda City]], [[Honda Accord]], [[Toyota Corolla]], [[Daihatsu Mira]], [[Nissan Dayz]], [[Toyota Vitz]], [[Kia Sportage]], [[Kia Picanto]], [[Hyundai Elantra]], [[Toyota Fortuner]], [[Toyota Hilux Revo]]

Luxury SUVs and cars are owned by the elite in urban cities and by many large landowners in the villages and rural areas, thus making them a fairly common sight in Pakistan. The most popular models are the [[Toyota Land Cruiser]], [[Toyota Prado]], [[Range Rover|Land Rover Range Rover]], along with several [[Mercedes-Benz]]es, [[BMW]]s and [[Audi|Audis.]]

==== Future cars ====
Students and teachers from the [[National University of Sciences and Technology, Pakistan|National University of Science and Technology]] developed Pakistan's first ever hybrid gasoline car, the [[Devrim II]], inspired by the [[Turkey|Turkish]] model Devrim.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://propakistani.pk/2010/05/12/nust-students-design-pakistan-first-hybrid-car/|title=NUST Students Design Pakistan's First-ever Hybrid Car|date=12 May 2010 }}</ref> Before that, students from [[Naval College Karachi]] and [[Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute]] also made a successful hybrid car, but [[Devrim II]] is the most effective one.  The group, the Pak-Wheelers, had succeeded in 2011 in developing a car with a fuel efficiency of 450 kilometres per liter, but were trying to improve it to more than 700 by using hybrid technology.<ref>[http://pak-wheelers.com/sponsor.html Objectives of Pak-Wheelers] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110309071848/http://pak-wheelers.com/sponsor.html |date=2011-03-09 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/9131/nust-students-design-countrys-first-ever-hybrid-car|title=NUST students design country's first-ever hybrid car|date=26 April 2010|website=The Express Tribune}}</ref>

=== Auto rickshaws ===
[[File:Auto-rickshaw on Canal Bank Road Lahore 2009-06.jpg|thumb|Due to increasing environmental issues with older rickshaws, the government has heavily invested in greener, more fuel-efficient rickshaws]]
[[Auto rickshaws]] are a popular method of travelling in cities and are found in almost every city and town in Pakistan. The fare is usually negotiable before commencing a journey; however, due to the level of pollution contributed by auto-rickshaws, the government has recently begun banning older ones and replacing them with CNG auto rickshaws, which tend to be less noisy, form less pollutants and are much bigger and more comfortable. The Punjab government decided in 2005 to replace two-stroke three-wheelers with [[Compressed natural gas|CNG]]-fitted four-stroke rickshaws in Lahore, [[Multan]], [[Faisalabad]], [[Rawalpindi]] and [[Gujranwala]]. Three manufacturers were ordered to produce 60,000 four-stroke vehicles, but they reportedly supplied 2,000 to the government which are now plying on city roads. Similar ordinances are now being considered in other provinces of Pakistan.

A new form of transport in Pakistan is the Qing-Qi (pronounced "ching-chee"), which is a cross between a motorcycle and auto-rickshaw. It runs just like a motorcycle but has three wheels instead of two and can carry a much heavier load. It is an urban transport vehicle and is used mostly for short distances.

=== Motorcycling and ride-hailing ===
Motorcycling is another means of transportation in Pakistan. It is considered to be the most quickest way of getting to areas where vehicles cannot reach. There are also motorcycling operators in the cities. Some of them make use of helmet while others don't. There are also companies such as [[Bykea]] that offer ride-hailing services with bikes or motorcycles in [[Karachi]], [[Lahore]], [[Rawalpindi]], [[Peshawar]] and others.<ref>{{cite news | last =Jamil | first =Ahmed  | title =Is Bykea the first next? Pakistani unicorn in the making? | publisher =profit.pakistantoday.com.pk| date =6 May 2019 | url =https://profit.pakistantoday.com.pk/2019/05/06/is-bykea-the-first-next-pakistani-unicorn-in-the-making/ | access-date =3 June 2019}}</ref> Ride-hailing services such as [[Uber]] and [[Careem]] are also available.
In 2019, 2 more private ride-sharing services introduced specifically in the city of Karachi named Airlift and SWVL. Airlift is a Pakistan-based company while SWVL is an Egyptian company.

==Metro==
{{Main|List of rapid transit systems in Pakistan}}

===Train===
[[File:CNS Orange Line of Lahore Metro 1.jpg|thumb|[[Orange Line (Lahore Metro)|Orange Line Metro Train]], [[Lahore]]]]
*The [[Orange Line (Lahore Metro)|Orange Line Metro Train]] is an automated [[rapid transit]] system in [[Lahore]].<ref>[http://tribune.com.pk/story/711864/good-news-on-track-lahore-to-get-pakistans-first-metro-train/ "Good news on track: Lahore to get Pakistan’s first metro train"], ''[[Express Tribune]]'', Lahore, 23 March 2014. Retrieved on 20 October 2014.</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/886037/development-agenda-lahore-metro-train-gets-green-signal |title=Development agenda: Lahore metro train gets green signal |date=14 May 2015 |work=[[Express Tribune]] }}</ref>  The Orange line is the first of the three proposed rail lines proposed for the [[Lahore Metro]]. The line spans {{convert|27.1|km|mi|1|abbr=on}} with {{convert|25.4|km|mi|1|abbr=on}} elevated and {{convert|1.72|km|mi|1|abbr=on}} underground and have a cost of 251.06 billion Rupees ($1.6 billion).<ref name="Norinco">{{cite web|title=Norinco Technical Proposal|url=http://www.lahoremetroauraap.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Norinco-Technical-Proposal.pdf|access-date=25 January 2017|date=January 2016|page=12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202022759/http://www.lahoremetroauraap.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Norinco-Technical-Proposal.pdf|archive-date=2 February 2017|url-status=usurped}}</ref> The line consists of 26 subway stations and is designed to carry over 250,000 passengers daily.

===Bus===
[[File:Islamabad Metro Bus.JPG|thumb|Track of [[Islamabad-Rawalpindi Metrobus]] with adjoining station]]
*[[Lahore Metrobus]] is a [[bus rapid transit]] service operating in the city of [[Lahore]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pakvisit.com/pakistan/metrobus.html|title=Metro Bus Lahore Pakistan -Rapid Bus Transport|website=pakvisit.com|access-date=2018-06-09|archive-date=9 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180609002127/http://www.pakvisit.com/pakistan/metrobus.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Metrobus network's first phase was opened in February, 2013.
*[[Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metrobus]] is a {{convert|83.6|km|mi|1|abbr=on}} [[bus rapid transit]] system operating in the [[Islamabad Rawalpindi metropolitan area]]. The Metrobus network's first phase was opened on June 4, 2015, and stretches 22 kilometres between [[Pak Secretariat]], in [[Islamabad]], and [[Saddar, Rawalpindi|Saddar]] in [[Rawalpindi]]. The system uses e-ticketing and an [[Intelligent Transportation System]] and is managed by the [[Punjab Mass Transit Authority]].
*[[Multan Metrobus]] is a [[bus rapid transit]] (BRT) system in [[Multan]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nation.com.pk/national/06-Jun-2014/work-on-multan-metro-bus-to-begin-on-august-14 |title= Work on Multan Metro Bus to Begin on August 14|newspaper= The Nation|access-date= January 30, 2018}}</ref> Construction on the line began in May 2015, while operations commenced on 24 January 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1310439/this-is-naya-pakistan-pm-inaugurates-rs29bn-metro-bus-project-in-multan|title= Prime Minister inaugurates Multan Metrobus|newspaper= Dawn News|date= 24 January 2017|access-date= January 24, 2018}}</ref>
*[[Peshawar Metrobus|Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit]] (Peshawar BRT) is a [[bus rapid transit]] system by the Peshawar Development Authority (PDA) in [[Peshawar]], capital of [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]] province. The construction of the project was started in October 2017 and became operational on 13 August 2020.
*[[Karachi Metrobus|Green Line Metrobus]] is the first phase of [[Karachi Metrobus]] that is operational in [[Karachi]]. The [[Government of Pakistan]] is financing the majority of the project.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1055243/ground-breaking-ceremony-green-line-brt-finally-gets-go-ahead/|title=Ground-breaking ceremony: Green Line BRT finally gets go-ahead - The Express Tribune|date=2016-02-26|website=The Express Tribune|language=en-US|access-date=2016-06-11}}</ref> Construction of the Green Line began on February 26, 2016, and became operational on 25 December 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1241849|title=Karachi's Green Line bus will be more beautiful than Lahore metro: PM Nawaz|last=Dawn.com|date=2016-02-26|website=www.dawn.com|access-date=2016-06-11}}</ref>
*Faisalabad shuttle train service and [[Faisalabad Metrobus]] are the proposed rapid transit projects in the city of [[Faisalabad]]. These projects are the part of a mega-project of [[China–Pakistan Economic Corridor]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/542890/special-shuttle-train-service-to-be-launched-for-workers-of-cpec-sez/|title=Special shuttle train service to be launched for workers of CPEC SEZ|date=20 January 2020|website=Daily Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/17091/cm-to-take-metro-bus-to-faisalabad/|title=CM to take metro bus to Faisalabad - Daily Times|date=2017-04-15|work=Daily Times|access-date=2018-06-09|language=en-US}}</ref>

===Tram===
*A [[Mohamedali Tramways Company|tramway service]] was started in 1884 in [[Karachi]] but was closed in 1975.<ref name="Adnan, Imran">{{cite news|title=OLMT project to face further delay|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1941286/1-olmt-project-face-delay/|access-date=2 April 2019|agency=[[The Express Tribune]]|author=Adnan, Imran|date=1 April 2019|quote=As per the direction of the apex court, he said, the civil works of the project will be completed by end of July 2019. But the project will not enter into commercial operations by August or November 2019.}}</ref><ref name="thenews.com.pk">{{cite news|title=Manufacturing of orange trains starts, says Kh Hassan|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/122738-Manufacturing-of-orange-trains-starts-says-Kh-Hassan|access-date=24 January 2017|agency=The News|date=26 May 2016|quote=Latest technology will be employed for fabricating these trains and the rolling-stock will be fully computerised, automatic and driverless.}}</ref> [[Sindh Government]] is planning to restart the tramway services in the city by the collaboration of Austrian experts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://propakistani.pk/2019/01/02/karachi-is-planning-to-restart-tram-services/amp/|title=Karachi is Planning to Restart Tram Services|website=propakistani.pk|date=2 January 2019}}</ref>
*In October 2019, a project for the construction of tramway service in [[Lahore]] has also been signed by the [[Government of Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab Government]]. This project will be launched under public-private partnership in a joint venture of European and Chinese companies along with the Punjab transport department.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1511430|title=MoU signed for tram service in Lahore|first=Khalid|last=Hasnain|date=18 October 2019|website=DAWN.COM}}</ref>

===Monorail===
*The [[Government of Pakistan]] is proposing plans to start a [[Monorail]] system in the federal capital [[Islamabad]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2267881/chinese-firm-sees-monorail-service-feasible|title=Chinese firm sees monorail service feasible|first=|last=|date=10 October 2020|website=Express Tribune}}</ref>

== Rail ==
{{Main|List of railway stations in Pakistan|List of railway lines in Pakistan}}
<gallery mode="packed" widths="200" >
File:Pakistan Railways Network Map.png|Pakistan Railways Network
Karachi cantt. station full facade.JPG|[[Karachi Cantonment railway station]]
File:SahiwalStation.jpg|[[Sahiwal railway station]]
File:KhyberRailway 02.jpg|Khyber Express at Shahgai station
</gallery>

=== Domestic ===
Rail services in Pakistan are provided by the state-run [[Pakistan Railways]], under the supervision of the Ministry of Railways. Pakistan Railways provides an important mode of transportation in Pakistan, catering to the large-scale movement of people and freight. The railway network comprises11,492&nbsp;km<ref name="CIA">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/pakistan/| title=World Factbook&nbsp;– Pakistan| author=The Central Intelligence Agency| access-date=2025-01-16}}</ref> all of which is {{RailGauge|5ft6in|allk=on}} gauge, including 286&nbsp;km of electrified track. Passenger earnings comprise 50% of the total revenue. During 1999–2000 this amounted to Rs. 4.8 billion.{{Citation needed|date=June 2007}} Pakistan Railways carry 65 million passengers annually and daily operate 228 mail, express and passenger trains.{{Citation needed|date=June 2007}} Pakistan Railways also operate special trains for various occasions. The Freight Business Unit with 12,000 personnel operates over 200 freight stations on the railway network. The FBU serves the [[Port of Karachi]] and [[Port Qasim]] as well as in various other stations along the network and generates revenue from the movement of agricultural, industrial and imported products such as wheat, coal, fertiliser, cement and sugar. About 39% of the revenue is generated from the transportation of petroleum, 19% from imported wheat, fertiliser and rock phosphate. The remaining 42% is earned from domestic traffic. The freight rate structure is based on market trends in road transport, which is the main competitor to rail transport.

=== High speed rail ===
Prime Minister [[Nawaz Sharif]] said that a high-speed rail network will be built which will connect [[Peshawar]] to [[Karachi]] via all major cities of [[Pakistan]] during his visit to [[China]] in June 2016. The Government is making plans for this project.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Nicola |title=Sharif whisks Pakistan forward with high speed train |url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/advice/sharif-whisks-pakistan-forwards-with-high-speed-train-gqp2swl3bgm |access-date=13 September 2021 |agency=The Times & The Sunday Times |publisher=Times Newspapers |date=9 May 2013}}</ref>

=== Rail links with adjacent countries ===

{{flagicon|Iran}} [[Transportation in Iran|Iran]] -
A {{RailGauge|5ft6in|allk=on}} railway line runs from [[Zahedan]] to [[Quetta]], and a {{RailGauge|4ft8.5in|allk=on}} line is finished from [[Zahedan]] to [[Kerman]] in central Iran, linking with the rest of the Iranian rail network. On May 18, 2007, a MOU for rail cooperation was signed by Pakistan and Iran under which the line will be completed by December 2008. Now that the rail systems are linked up at Zahedan, there is a [[break-of-gauge]] between the [[Islamic Republic of Iran Railways]] {{RailGauge|4ft8.5in|allk=on}} tracks and Pakistan Railway's Indian gauge tracks.<ref>[[Railway Gazette International]]</ref>

{{flagicon|Afghanistan}} [[Transportation in Afghanistan|Afghanistan]] -
Currently there is no rail link to [[Transport in Afghanistan|Afghanistan]] since no railway network is present in that country, however Pakistan Rail has proposed to help build an Afghan Rail Network in three phases. The first phase will stretch from the [[Chaman]] to [[Spin Boldak]] in Afghanistan. The second phase will extend line to [[Kandahar]] and the third phase will eventually connect to [[Herat]]. From there, the line will be extended to [[Serhetabat|Khushka]], [[Turkmenistan]]. The final phase would link {{RailGauge|5ft6in|allk=on}} with Central Asian {{RailGauge|1520mm|allk=on}}. It is not clear where the [[break-of-gauge]] station will be.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_8-5-2005_pg5_7|title=Govt considers railway links with central Asia}}</ref> The proposed line will also be connected the port town of [[Gwadar]] via [[Dalbadin]] and [[Taftan, Balochistan|Taftan]], thus connecting the port town to Central Asia.

{{flagicon|China}} [[Transportation in the People's Republic of China|China]] -
There is no link with [[Transport in the People's Republic of China|China]] however, on 28 February 2007 contracts were awarded for feasibility studies on a proposed line from [[Havelian]] via the [[Khunjerab Pass]] at 4730&nbsp;m above sea level, to the Chinese [[railhead]] at [[Kashgar]], a distance of about 750&nbsp;km.<ref name="APP">{{cite web| url=http://www.app.com.pk/en/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4200&Itemid=2 | author=Associated Press of Pakistan| title=PR signs deal with foreign firm for pre-feasibility study of Pakistan-China rail link| access-date=2007-06-28 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927192717/http://www.app.com.pk/en/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4200&Itemid=2 |archive-date = 2007-09-27}}</ref>

{{flagicon|Turkmenistan}} [[Transportation in Turkmenistan|Turkmenistan]] -
Via Afghanistan (proposed) – avoiding {{RailGauge|4ft8.5in|allk=on}} intervening.<ref name=rgigap>{{cite news | title =Closing the gap from Bam to Zahedan | url =http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view//closing-the-gap-from-bam-to-zahedan.html | work =[[Railway Gazette International]] | date =2007-01-01 | author =Dr John Stubbs | url-status =dead | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20101221232357/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/closing-the-gap-from-bam-to-zahedan.html | archive-date =2010-12-21 | access-date =11 March 2014 }}</ref>

{{flagicon|Turkey}} [[Transportation in Turkey|Turkey]] -
An [[Istanbul]]-[[Tehran]]-[[Islamabad]] passenger rail service was proposed recently.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thaishipper.com/Content/Content.asp?ID=26715 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2009-07-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171005100753/http://www.thaishipper.com/Content/Content.asp?ID=26715 |archive-date=2017-10-05 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Meanwhile, a [[container train]] service was launched by the former Prime Minister of Pakistan [[Yousuf Raza Gilani]] between Islamabad and [[Istanbul]] on 14 August 2009. The first train carried 20 [[Intermodal container|containers]] with a capacity of around {{convert|750|t|LT ST|0|abbr=on|lk=on}} <!-- See [[User talk:Yousaf465#Which Ton]]? --><ref name="http://www.pakistantimes.net/pt/detail.php?newsId=3343">{{cite news|url=http://www.pakistantimes.net/pt/detail.php?newsId=3343|title=First container train service from Islamabad to Turkey begins Today|date=2009-08-15|newspaper=[[Pakistan Times]]|access-date=2009-08-15|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719023223/http://www.pakistantimes.net/pt/detail.php?newsId=3343|archive-date=2011-07-19}}</ref> and will travel {{convert|6500|km|mi|-2|abbr=on}} from Islamabad, through [[Tehran]], [[Iran]] and on to Istanbul in two weeks' time.<ref name="Leading News Resource of Pakistan">{{cite news|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\08\15\story_15-8-2009_pg7_12 |title=Leading News Resource of Pakistan |newspaper=Daily Times |access-date=2009-08-15}}</ref> According to the [[Ministry of Railways (Pakistan)|Minister for Railways]] [[Ghulam Ahmad Bilour]], after the trial of the container train service, a passenger train will be launched.<ref name="Dawn.Com">{{cite web|url=http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/13+gilani+launches+trial+phase+of+islamabad-istanbul+train+service-za-06 |title=Pakistan &#124; PM launches trial phase of Pak-Turkey train service |publisher=Dawn.Com |access-date=2009-08-15}}</ref> There are also hopes the route will eventually provide a link to [[Europe]] and [[Central Asia]], and carry passengers.<ref name="Pakistan–Turkey rail trial starts">{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8201934.stm |title=Pakistan–Turkey rail trial starts |access-date=2009-08-16 |work=BBC News |date=2009-08-14}}</ref>

=== Heritage ===
In [[Ghangha Pur]], a {{RailGauge|2ft|lk=on}} [[Narrow-gauge railway|narrow-gauge]] [[Horsecar|horse-drawn tramway]] is operational.<ref>{{cite web|title=Trams of the World 2017|url=http://blickpunktstrab.net/wordpress2/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/tramsderwelt2017.pdf|publisher=Blickpunkt Straßenbahn|date=January 24, 2017|access-date=February 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216202427/http://blickpunktstrab.net/wordpress2/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/tramsderwelt2017.pdf|archive-date=February 16, 2017}}</ref> It was first opened in 1898, closed in 1998, and re-opened in 2010.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pakistaniat.com/2010/03/09/horse-tram-gangapur/|title=Ghora Tram: Historic Horse Tram Returns to Gangapur|date=10 March 2010}}</ref>

== Air ==
{{Main|Airlines of Pakistan|List of airports in Pakistan}}
<gallery mode="packed" widths="200" >
File:Pakistan Airports & Seaports.png|Airports and Seaports of Pakistan

File:Islamabad International Airport Departure.jpg|Terminal of [[Islamabad International Airport]]
File:PIA rendezvous-edit.jpg|[[Boeing 737]] owned and operated by [[Pakistan International Airlines]] (PIA). PIA operates scheduled services to 70 domestic destinations and 34 international destinations in 27 countries.
</gallery>

Pakistan has [[List of airports in Pakistan|151 airports]]. The major airports are:
* [[Jinnah International Airport]] ([[Karachi]])
* [[Allama Iqbal International Airport]] ([[Lahore]])
* [[Islamabad International Airport]] ([[Islamabad]])
* [[Bacha Khan International Airport]] ([[Peshawar]])
* [[Faisalabad International Airport]] ([[Faisalabad]])
* [[Multan International Airport]] ([[Multan]])
* [[Skardu International Airport]] ([[Skardu]]
*[[Quetta International Airport]] ([[Quetta]])
* [[Sialkot International Airport]] ([[Sialkot]])
* [[Dera Ghazi Khan International Airport]] ([[D.G.Khan]])
* [[Gwadar International Airport]] ([[Gwadar]])
* [[Shaikh Zayed International Airport (Rahim Yar Khan)|Shaikh Zayed International Airport]] ([[Rahim Yar Khan]])

There are also several smaller airports which have flights to and from the [[Persian Gulf|Gulf]] because of the large [[Pakistani diaspora]] working in the region. There are 91 airports with paved runways, of which 14 have runways longer than 3,047 meters. The remaining 48 airports have unpaved runways including one airport with a runway longer than 3,047 meters. Pakistan also has eighteen [[heliport]]s.

Despite PIA's domination in domestic market there are also 4 other carriers in Pakistan. Most notably [[Airblue]] which is the second biggest airline based in Pakistan and only airline which has new generation aircraft with 2 [[Airbus A321]]neo-LRs. [[Serene Air]] is the only other airline in Pakistan that owns [[wide-body aircraft]] with three [[Airbus A330]]s. Then there are 2 [[low-cost carrier]]s with both having 5 [[Airbus A320]]s in their fleet: [[fly Jinnah]] and [[Air Sial]]. The most favourite aircraft in Pakistan is the [[Airbus A320 family]] with only Serene air having 4 [[Boeing 737]]s instead of the Airbuses.

{{clear}}

==Water==
<gallery mode="packed" widths="200" >
File:PK Karachi asv2020-02 img47 container port.jpg|[[Port of Karachi]] is one of [[South Asia]]'s largest and busiest deep-water [[Port|seaports]], handling about 60% of the nation's cargo (25 million tons per annum).
File:Port Qasim.jpg|Located in the city of [[Karachi]], [[Port Qasim]] is Pakistan's second busiest sea port, handling about 30% of the nation's cargo (14 million tons per annum).
</gallery>
The waterway network in Pakistan is in its infancy, with [[Karachi]] being the only major city situated next to the Arabian Sea. Still, plans are being proposed for the development of the waterways in the country along the [[Indus River]] and through the Punjab as it would boost employment opportunities and the economic and social development of Pakistan.
* [[Gwadar|Port of Gwadar]] – Gwadar, Balochistan
* [[Port of Karachi]] – Karachi (City Centre), Sindh
:* [[Karachi International Container Terminal]] (KICT)
:* [[Pakistan International Container Terminal]] (PICT)
* [[Port Qasim]] – East Karachi, Sindh
* [[Pasni City|Port of Pasni]] – Pasni, Balochistan

=== Ferries ===
* [[Ferry]] services run between Kimari and Minora Island in [[Karachi]].
* [[Karachi]] used to have a ferry connection with City of [[Mumbai]] in [[India]] until the 1960s, but it was later discontinued when both the countries went into war.
* A cruise service called Gulf Dream Cruise began between [[Karachi]] and [[Dubai]] in 2006, but it wasn't able to go beyond its first sailing due to visa issues imposed by the [[United Arab Emirates|UAE]] authorities.
* In 2020, Pakistan announced its plans to launch a ferry service in near future linking Pakistan through [[Karachi]] and [[Gwadar]] to [[Iran]], [[Oman]], [[United Arab Emirates|UAE]], and [[Iraq]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://profit.pakistantoday.com.pk/2020/09/08/pakistan-to-launch-intl-ferry-service-linking-iran-iraq-uae/|title=Pakistan to launch int'l ferry service linking Iran, Iraq, UAE|first=Mian|last=Abrar|work=Profit by Pakistan Today |date=8 September 2020}}</ref>

== Pipelines ==
* Length of [[pipeline transport|pipelines]] for crude oil is {{convert|2011|km|0|abbr=on}}.
* Length of [[Petroleum]] products pipeline is {{convert|787|km|0|abbr=on}}.
* Length of [[Natural gas]] pipelines is {{convert|10402|km|0|abbr=on}}.

The above information was calculated in 2009.<ref name="CIA" />

== China-Pakistan Economic Corridor ==
The [[China-Pakistan Economic Corridor]] is an under-construction development program to connect [[Gwadar Port]] in southern Pakistan to China's northwestern autonomous region of [[Xinjiang]] via [[highways]], [[railway]]s<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=241501&Itemid=2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019181703/http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=241501&Itemid=2|url-status=dead|title=Pak-China Economic Corridor to get high-speed railway track|archive-date=19 October 2014}}</ref> and pipelines to transport oil and gas. [[Premier of the People's Republic of China|Chinese Premier]] [[Li Keqiang]] was among the first advocates of the project; since then [[General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party]] [[Xi Jinping]], former [[Pakistani President]] [[Asif Ali Zardari]] and [[Pakistani prime minister]] [[Nawaz Sharif]] have become strong supporters of the project.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thediplomat.com/2014/02/china-pakistan-flesh-out-new-economic-corridor/|title=China, Pakistan Flesh Out New 'Economic Corridor'|first=Shannon|last=Tiezzi|website=thediplomat.com}}</ref> When the corridor is constructed, it will serve as a primary gateway for trade between China and the Middle East and Africa; in particular, oil from the [[Middle East]] could be offloaded at Gwadar, which is located just outside the mouth of the Persian Gulf, and transported to China through the [[Baluchistan]] province in Pakistan. Such a link would vastly shorten the 12,000-kilometre route that Mideast oil supplies must now take to reach Chinese ports.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/589268/pak-china-ties-gawadar-port-one-part-of-a-larger-plan|title=Pak-China ties: Gawadar port one part of a larger plan|date=12 August 2013|website=The Express Tribune}}</ref>

The project received a major boost when control of [[Gwadar]] was transferred to China's state-owned China Overseas Ports Holding in February 2013. Built by Chinese workers and opened in 2007, Gwadar is undergoing a major expansion to turn it into a full-fledged, deep-water commercial port. On 19 February 2014, the ''[[South China Morning Post]]'' reported that Pakistan and China have signed agreements for constructing an international airport at Gwadar, for upgrading a section of the 1,300-kilometre Karakorum Highway connecting to Islamabad, and for a fibre-optic cable to be laid from the Chinese border to the Pakistani city of [[Rawalpindi]].<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1431218/china-and-pakistan-pave-way-economic-corridor| title = China and Pakistan pave way for 'economic corridor'| date = 19 February 2014}}</ref>
<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2014/02/21/china-pakistan-to-accelerate-economic-corridor-construction-2/|title=China, Pakistan to accelerate 'economic corridor' construction &#124; Pakistan Today|website=www.pakistantoday.com.pk}}</ref> According to ''[[The Diplomat (magazine)|The Diplomat]]'', with the development of the corridor, [[Central Asia]], traditionally an economically closed region owing to its geography and lack of infrastructure, will have greater access to the sea and to the global trade network.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thediplomat.com/2014/02/the-pakistan-china-corridor/|title=The Pakistan-China Corridor|website=thediplomat.com}}</ref> Pak-China Economic Corridor Secretariat was inaugurated in [[Islamabad]] on August 27, 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/368953-government-to-upgrade-ptv-channels-to-hd-fawad-chaudhry|title=Government to upgrade PTV channels to HD: Fawad Chaudhry|website=www.thenews.com.pk}}</ref> The CPEC has put a debt burden on Pakistan, paving the way for China to use its "debt-trap diplomacy" and gain access to strategic assets. Therefore, Pakistan is already at high risk due to debt from China. Perhaps, Pakistan would never have imagined that its alliance with China would sink into huge debt.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-05-30 |title=Pakistan economic crisis intensifies as China refuses to provide debt relief |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/pakistan-economic-crisis-intensifies-as-china-refuses-to-provide-debt-relief/articleshow/83094150.cms |access-date=2023-07-20 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> China and Pakistan have both undertaken constructive measures to facilitate the advancement of the CPEC project. However, the ultimate outcome of the corridor's success is intricately tied to Pakistan's internal circumstances. A comprehensive evaluation of the corridor's potential remains challenging until Pakistan addresses its political and security challenges.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pakistan's Economic Crisis: What Went Wrong? |url=https://thediplomat.com/2023/05/pakistans-economic-crisis-what-went-wrong/ |access-date=2023-08-11 |website=thediplomat.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=admin |date=2019-07-02 |title=CPEC — poverty alleviation |url=https://pakobserver.net/cpec-poverty-alleviation/ |access-date=2023-08-11 |website=Pakistan Observer |language=en-US}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Transport|Pakistan}}
{{col div|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Motorways of Pakistan]]
* [[National Highways of Pakistan]]
* [[Customised buses and trucks in Pakistan]]
* [[Road signs in Pakistan]]
* [[List of bridges in Pakistan]]
* [[Airlines of Pakistan]]
* [[Pakistan International Airlines]]
* [[Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority]]
* [[Port of Karachi]]
* [[History of rail transport in Pakistan]]
{{col div end}}

== References ==
{{reflist|group=Note}}
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Transport in Pakistan}}
{{col div|colwidth=30em}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121119234920/http://www.transport.gos.pk/ Sindh Transport Department official website]
* [http://www.kpt.gov.pk/ Karachi Port Trust website]
* [https://www.daewoo.com.pk/ Daewoo Bus Service]
* [http://www.piac.com.pk/ Pakistan International Airlines website]
* [http://www.nha.gov.pk/ Pakistan National Highway Authority website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101221235406/http://www.nha.gov.pk/ |date=21 December 2010 }}
* [https://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/map/profile/pakistan.pdf Pakistani railways map at the United Nations]
* [http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/fullMaps_Sa.nsf/luFullMap/6C86B1241C68F68985256CDF005BD130/$File/cia_pak040303.jpg?OpenElement Transport map of Pakistan at Relief Web]

{{col div end}}

{{CIA World Factbook}}
{{Airlines of Pakistan}}
{{Asia topic|Transport in}}
{{Economy of Pakistan topics}}
{{Pakistan topics}}
{{Railway stations in Pakistan}}

[[Category:Transport in Pakistan| ]]