Transport in Pakistan

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Pakistan is a country that has an extensive and varied transportation system. In recent years, there has been considerable investment in the transportation infrastructure of the country. From the 1990s onward, the Pakistan's National Highway Authority has been developing a network of modern motorways that connects nearly every major city in Pakistan. These infrastructural improvements have contributed to an acceleration of economic growth.

The Pakistan Railways have also progressed by acquiring new locomotives from China. The ports have also been developing to deal with the endless demands for imports and exports the country is facing.

An old locomotive of Pakistan Railways, displayed on the front of the Pakistan Railways Headquarters, Lahore

The new Multan Flyover

[edit] Domestic (local) transport

Motorbikes & Scooters: A Cheap and simple way to get around the city

Within the city there are many ways to get around. The vast range of transport available allows every person with a low or high budget to benefit. In the cities the most common types of transport include: -

[edit] Motorbikes and scooters

The motorbike and scooter are one of the most familiar sites used by many people to move around the city. They are easy to travel on and stress free compared to cars and buses. Due to government laws, it is an offense to ride a motorbike or scooter without a helmet.

Since 1999, the number of brands and varieties of motorbikes and scooters have substantially increased to suit all budgets and sizes.

[edit] Ching-chee (Qing-Qi)

A Qing-Qi (or "ching-chee"), a cross between a motorcycle and auto-ricksaw, is a new form of transport in Pakistan. It runs just like a motorcycle but comes with three wheels instead of two and carries a much heavier load on its back. It is an urban transport vehicle and is used mostly for short distances.

[edit] Auto rickshaws

A CNG Auto-Rickshaw, a more fuel efficient way of transportation

The auto rickshaws are very similar to ones used in India, however the Pakistan version come in many different colours instead of the black/yellow versions India uses. The fare is usually negotiable in Pakistan which you should decide before you travel with them.

Due to the level of pollution contributed by the auto-rickshaws, the government is currently in planning with a Chicago based company to develop a CNG auto-rickshaw to lower the levels of pollution in the city. Many cities in Pakistan have placed restrictions on auto-rickshaws, preventing them from traveling on certain roads in the city to cut levels of pollution.

There are many different types of auto-rickshaws in Pakistan ranging from two passengers to six-seaters. There are also cargo versions that are purely used to transport cargo and parcels around the city for businesses.

[edit] Yellow Taxis Cabs

Another common sight seen at hotels and airports in Pakistan are yellow taxi cars, which are like the black cabs of London. The drivers charge according to a meter located on the dash board of the car. If they don't have one, a fare can be negotiated, the cabs drivers are reliable and will be happy to take passengers to any destination they need to get to.

[edit] Yellow/White Toyota Vans

These are privately run vans that run services throughout the city to get commuters from one point to another. They are also referred to as "mini-buses" as they are like smaller versions of coaches, but get commuters to their destinations more quickly.

[edit] Buses

Daewoo City Bus

This is a relatively cheap and easy way to get around the city if you don't have enough to spend on taxis and chauffeur driven cars. In the cities the buses are run by the government as well as many private companies. The Daewoo Bus Company runs many of the inner city buses with latest state of the art buses that make very little pollution.

From 2000, the government has banned old, excessively polluting, poorly run buses from cities, to deal with the pollution levels that have become a problem in many cities in Pakistan.

The buses are given numbers according to which routes they are traveling or if in doubt there is usually a ticket person who you can ask for directions and fares. The buses do start to run late during the early morning and evening when traffic in the cities becomes very chaotic as many commuters try to get to or from work.

[edit] Coaches

The Daewoo City Bus has developed a new air-conditioned bus that is very modern and comes with air conditioning for the high temperatures experienced in the summers. These buses are a great way to get around the city if one wants to view the city. The buses are constantly running during the day so it is easy to get on another one throughout the day.

For long distance journeys from city to city (e.g. Lahore to Islamabad), the Sammi Daewoo Express coaches have proven to be a great success in intercity travel as well as in the cities. The Sammi Daewoo express bus service provides services on more than 18 routes and operates more than 325 departures per day in Pakistan. The service are available in most cities including Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Multan, Faisalabad, Peshawar, Abbottabad, Sialkot, Murree and many others including many future destinations.

[edit] Cars

The London Black Cab - arriving soon in Pakistan

Car ownership is increasing at 40% per year since 2001 as the middle class is growing at an incredible pace. The number of car manufacturers in Pakistan have also increased with Mercedes-Benz, Audi,Chevrolet, BMW, Nissan, Toyota and Honda showrooms springing up in many of the cities in Pakistan. There are almost 2 million cars in use in Pakistan.

In the cities many people prefer to get compact cars such as the Suzuki Mehran, Hyundai Santro, Chevrolet Joy and Toyota Vitz. Due to an increase in demand, the Adam Motor Company has developed Pakistan's first own manufactured car called Revo.

Recently, two more European car manufacturers will introduce their latest models in Pakistan. French company Renault and German Volkswagen will introduce their ranges of cars in Pakistan by the end of this calendar year (2006). Renault will promote its Logan models that have proven to be very popular overseas.

In late 2005, Suzuki introduced the APV (All-Purpose Vehicle) the first luxury family van in Pakistan. Manufactured in Indonesia, the 1.5 litre petrol manual-transmission became an instant hit. It was large, affordable (at Pak Rupees one million or ten lakh) and above all 'luxurious'. By mid 2006, Suzuki had announced an automatic-transmission version.

The government has also allowed a consortium of four investors, including an Arab and three Pakistani investors, to introduce the Black Cab in Pakistan, that is seen on the streets of London everyday. However the decision soon became embroidled in controversy when the awarding of the license was chellanged in the Supreme Court on grounds of corruption etc.

[edit] Utility Vehicles

The number of utiltiy vehicles (SUVs or 4x4s) have become a familiar site in Pakistan. This type of car is very multi functional as it allows long distance and off road travel, within cities as well as city to city travel. Toyota Land Cruiser, Mitsubishi Pajero, Kia Sportage and Range Rover are a familiar scene, however BMW X5 could also be seen being driven by the wealthy elite.

[edit] Long Distance Travel

[edit] Railways

The Lahore Railway Station, Lahore

Pakistan's railways are run by the Government and called Pakistan Railways. Pakistan Railways is the state-owned railway company of Pakistan. It is a large organization under the administration of the Pakistani Government's Ministry of Railways. Pakistan Railways provides an important mode of transportation in the farthest corners of the country and brings them closer for Business, sight seeing, pilgrimage and education. It has been a great integrating force and forms the life line of the country by catering to its needs for large scale movement of people and freight.

Passenger earnings comprise 50% of the Railways total revenue. During 1999-2000 this amounted to Rs. 4.8 billion. Pakistan Railways carry 65 million passengers annually and daily operates 228 Mail, Express and Passenger Trains. Daily Passengers carried 1,78,000. Pakistan Railways also operate special trains during occasions like congregations of the Dawat-e-Islami and the Tableeghi Ijtima.

The Freight Business Unit with 12000 personnel, operates over 200 Freight Stations on the Railway Network. The Unit serves two major ports of Karachi and Bin Qasim as well as all the four provinces of the country and generates revenue from the movement of Agricultural, Industrial and imported products, Petroleum Oil & Lubricants (POL), Wheat, Coal, fertilizer, Rock Phosphate, Cement, Container traffic and Sugar.

Two trains waiting at Lahore Railway Station

About 39% of the revenue is generated from the transportation of POL products, 19% from Imported Wheat, Fertilizer and Rock Phosphate. the remaining 42% is earned from domestic traffic. op Lifter in operation.

The Freight Business unit offers services to meet customers requirements, reduce costs through efficiency, innovation and modernization. All possible efforts are made to increase revenues and pass on the benefits to the customers. The Freight Business Unit is headed by an Additional General Manager

The Freight Rates structure is based on market trends particularly of the road transport which is Railways main competitor. The freight rates are no longer rigid but flexible, depending on the lead, peak off peak season, and quantum offered.

A Steam Locomotive with Pakistani logos

[edit] Railway links with adjacent countires

India - Operational ( Attari - Wagah ) - same gauge(s) - 1676mm and 1000mm
Afghanistan - no railways to link to.
Iran - Suspended (as of 8 March 2006) - missing link Bam - Zahedan - break of gauge 1676mm/1435mm
China - none

[edit] Maps

[edit] Railways Statistics

Total: 8,163 km
- Broad gauge: 7,718 km 1.676-m gauge (293 km electrified)
- Narrow gauge: 445 km 1.000-m gauge (2004)

[edit] Motorways & Highways

The Native-Jetty (Natti-Jetty) Flyover in Karachi

During the 1990s, Pakistan began a huge project to build a network of road links and central motorways to connect all the major cities and towns with a single network. The plan included connecting many of the important financial, cargo and textile cities, so cargo could be transported more easily and efficiently from one end of the country to the other. The project is handled by the National Highway Authority (NHA).

The linking of cities has brought development to the towns as access to the towns has become easy and technological advances become more accessible.

Existing and planned motorways are:

M-1: Islamabad to Peshawar. It is a 155 km access-controlled motorway with 6 lanes.
M-2: Lahore to Islamabad. It is a 367 km access-controlled motorway with 6 lanes. It was completed in November 1997.
M-3: Pindi Bhattian to Faisalabad. It is a 53 km access-controlled motorway with 4 lanes.
M-4: Faisalabad to Multan. It is a 200 km access-controlled motorway with 4 lanes.
M-5: Multan to Dera Ghazi Khan with a total length of 65 km and 4 lanes.
M-6: Dera Ghazi Khan to Ratodero with a total length of 450 km and 4 lanes.
M-7: Kakkar via Dureji to Karachi with a total length of 303 km and 2 lanes.
M-8: Gwadar to Ratodero with a total length of 1072 km and 2 lanes.
M-9: Karachi to Hyderabad with a length of 136 Km and 6 lanes.
M-10: Karachi Northern Bypass, which has a total length of 56 km and 2 lanes.

On 7 April 2005, bus services started from Srinagar, (India controlled) - Muzaffarabad (Pakistan controlled) with buses running every two weeks.

[edit] Road Statistics

Total: 257,683 km
- Paved: 152,033 km (including 339 km of expressways/motorways)
- Unpaved: 105,650 km (2001)
- Vehicles on road: 4.2 million vehicles; 250,000 commercial vehicles (2004 estimate)

[edit] Coastal Highway

The Makran Coastal Highway

A road in Dina City, Jehlum

The Coastal Highway of Pakistan follows the coast of Sindh and Balochistan provinces, linking Karachi and Gwadar. Previously there was a muddy track linking Karachi with the town of Gwadar. Journeys between the two could take several days as the safest route was to travel via Quetta. The journey time has now 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; other parts of the plan include the new seaport and international airport at Gwadar and the construction of a road linking Gwadar to Khuzdar.

[edit] Waterways

This section is a stub. You can help by expanding it.

coming soon

[edit] Pipelines

natural gas 4,044 km (1987)
petroleum products 885 km;
crude oil 250 km;

[edit] Ports and Harbours

There are currently three main ports of Pakistan, including two located in Karachi, and one minor port.

[edit] Merchant Marine

Total;
- 20 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 288,249 GRT/444,451 DWT

Ships by type;
- bulk 1, cargo 15, container 3, petroleum tanker 1 (1999 est.)

[edit] Airlines

Main article: Airlines of Pakistan

Jinnah International Airport, Karachi

Air travel has been like a business cycle in Pakistan. During the 1980s Jinnah International Airport (Quaid-e-Azam International Airport), in Karachi was one of the busiest airports in the world. The airport was served by nearly every major airline in the world. The airport was used as a stop-over for passengers travelling to the Far east. There were also over five airlines in the industry alone to meet increasing passenger demands. However due to the political instability in the country during the 1990s, many airlines stopped serving Pakistan for many reasons. Slowly even the airlines in Pakistan started to become bankrupt as passenger numbers dropped and the air travel industry reached a situation where even the national airline, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) was on the verge of bankruptcy.

Pakistan International's Boeing 777s - Biggest order in the history of PIA

However, during the turn of the 21st century there was a sudden rise in passenger traffic as the Civil Aviation Authority introduced new policies to increase the demand for air travel that lead to more investment in the industry. The investment saw the construction of the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore that now has become the second most busiest airport in Pakistan today with many flights every hour. New airlines have also invested in the aviation market, bringing technological changes in travel including e-tickets and chauffeuring services to the airport. The continued high demand has brought new airlines into the industry with more airlines on the way including Safe Air and Pearl Air. Today, there are five airlines in Pakistan in heavy competition and oil prices reaching new highs. Also, as the demands of passengers increases, PIA, the national flag carrier, has began to order brand new aircraft from Boeing and ATR to introduce more specialised services and provide efficient and comfortable service to its passengers. Airblue, the latest airline to enter the industry, is now one year old and has made a $1 billion order with Airbus to supply the airline with ten brand new aircraft including Airbus A330 and A320 so it can provide services to the United Kingdom and USA. The CAA also introduced a policy where it allowed all its airlines rights to travel to the UK and USA and allowed other airlines to use its airspace in an "open sky policy". This has allowed the return of many airlines to Pakistan including British Airways, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and many gulf airlines, with many more wishing to return.