List of National Highways in Pakistan
Did you know that the oldest road in Pakistan is GT Road (Grand Trunk Road)?
The national highways of Pakistan represent a vital network of roadways essential for the country’s economic and social development spanning 12,131 km (7,538 miles). These highways connect major urban centers across the country and are categorized separately from provincial roads, which are maintained by individual provinces. Among the notable national highways are the Grand Trunk Road, Indus Highway, Karakoram Highway, and Makran Coastal Highway. Each national highway is identified by the prefix ‘N’ followed by a unique numerical designation (e.g., N-5, N-10, N-15).
In the article, we will discuss in detail about these highways in Pakistan.
List of National Highways in Pakistan
The total highways in Pakistan are more than 30. Here we have discussed about some of these famous national highways in Pakistan.
| Sign | Name | Length | Lanes | Status | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | N-5 | Karachi – Torkham | 1819 km | 4-6 | Operational | |
| 2. | N-10 | Karachi – Gwadar | 653 km | 2 | Operational | |
| 3. | N-15 | Mansehra – Chilas | 240 km | 2 | Operational | |
| 4. | N-25 | Karachi – Chaman | 813 km | 2 | Operational | |
| 5. | N-30 | Basima – Khuzdar | 110 km | 2 | Operational | |
| 6. | N-35 | Hasan Abdal – Khunjerab Pass | 1300 km | 2 | Operational | |
| 7. | N-40 | Quetta – Taftan | 610 km | 2 | Operational | |
| 8. | N-45 | Nowshera – Chitral | 309 km | 2 | Operational | |
| 9. | N-50 | Kuchlak – Dera Ismail Khan | 531 km | 2 | Operational | |
| 10. | N-55 | Kotri – Peshawar | 1264 km | 2-4 | Operational | |
| 11. | N-65 | Quetta – Sukkur | 385 km | 4 | Operational | |
| 12. | N-70 | Qila Saifullah – Multan | 447 km | 2-4 | Operational | |
| 13. | N-75 | Islamabad – Kohala | 138 km | 4 | Operational | |
| 14. | N-80 | Islamabad – Kohat | 146 km | 2 | Operational |
1. N-5 Karachi – Torkham National Highway
N-5 or Karachi-Torkham is the longest national highway in Pakistan. It starts from Karachi in Sindh and extends to Torkham in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The total length of the national highway is 1819 km including carpeted 4 to 6 lanes. The length is 671 km in Sindh, 1021 km in Punjab, and 165 km in KPK. It has been operational since its completion in 1952 just 5 years of the independence of Pakistan.
Adjacent Major Cities
The N-5 Highway passes through these cities:
Sindh
- Karachi
- Hyderabad
- Moro
- Sukkur
Punjab
- Multan
- Sahiwal
- Lahore
- Gujranwala
- Gujrat
- Lalamusa
- Kharian
- Jhelum
- Rawalpindi
- Attock Khurd
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- Nowshera
- Peshawar
- FATA (Federally Administrated Tribal Area)
- Torkham
2. N-10 Karachi- Gwadar Highway
The N-10 or Karachi Gwadar National Highway is a 653 km long highway extending from Karachi to Gwadar in Balochistan passing along with the Arabian Sea coast. Furthermore, it also passes through Ormara and Pasni. The N-10 national highway is also known as the Makran Coastal Highway connecting several main cities in Balochistan.
Adjacent Major Cities
Here are the main cities through which the N-10 highway passes:
Sindh
- Karachi
Balochistan
- Ormara
- Pasni
- Gwadar
- Jiwani
3. N-15 Mansehra – Chilas Highway
The N-15 Mansehra Chilas Highway in Pakistan stretches across 240 kilometers, linking the city of Mansehra in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province to Chilas in Gilgit–Baltistan. Renowned as a scenic route, it serves as an alternative to the Karakoram Highway (N-35), making it one of the highways in Pakistan popular among tourists. You might have travelled through this highway while exploring the breathtaking landscapes around Naran and other northern areas in Pakistan.
Adjacent Major Cities
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- Mansehra
- Balakot
- Naran
- Babusar Pass (Mountain pass)
Gilgit–Baltistan
- Chilas
4. N-25 Karachi – Chaman National Highway
The N-25 National Highway stretches across 813 km from Karachi in Sindh province to the Chaman border via Quetta in Balochistan province. This highway plays a crucial role in connecting major cities and regions of Pakistan, facilitating trade and travel between Sindh and Balochistan. Previously named the Regional Cooperation for Development Highway (RCD Highway), it serves as a vital transportation corridor in Pakistan’s highways network.
Adjacent Major Cities
Sindh
- Karachi
Balochistan
- Hub
- Kolpur
- Kalat
- Quetta
- Mastung
- Kuchlak
- Chaman
5. N-30 Basima – Khuzdar National Highway
The Basima – Khuzdar National Highway (N-30) stretches 110 kilometers from Basima to Khuzdar in Balochistan province. This highway, maintained by Pakistan’s National Highway Authority, serves as a link connecting rural and urban areas. It plays a vital role in fostering economic activities and easing transportation across southern Balochistan’s diverse landscape.
Adjacent Major Cities
Balochistan
- Basima
- Wadh
- Khuzdar
6. N-35 Hasan Abdal – Khunjerab Pass National Highway
The N-35 National Highway also known as The Karakoram Highway (KKH) spans 1,300 kilometers from Hasan Abdal in Punjab province to the Khunjerab Pass in Gilgit-Baltistan. It further extends into chain and there it is known as China National Highway. It crosses the Karakoram mountain range, reaching a maximum elevation of 4,714 meters near the Khunjerab Pass. Renowned as one of the highest paved roads globally, it’s both a vital trade route and a popular tourist destination, often known as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.”
Adjacent Major Cities
Punjab
- Hasan Abdal
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- Abbottabad
- Mansehra
- Besham
- Chilas
Gilgit-Baltistan
- Gilgit
- Hunza
- Sost
7. N-40 Quetta – Taftan National Highway
National Highway (N-40) spreads over 610 kilometres from Lakpass near Quetta to the border town of Taftan via Naukundi in Balochistan, Pakistan. It extends into Iran as Road 84. This two-lane highway is maintained and operated by Pakistan’s National Highway Authority, facilitating transportation and connectivity in the region.
Adjacent Major Cities
Balochistan
- Lakpass (near Quetta)
- Naukundi
- Taftan
8. N-45 Nowshera – Chitral National Highway
The National Highway (N-45) also known as the Nowshera-Chitral Highway, is a significant route in Pakistan, spanning 309 kilometers from Nowshera District to Chitral via Dir in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. This two-lane highway is crucial for regional connectivity and is maintained by the National Highway Authority.
The highway features the Lowari Tunnel, which has significantly reduced travel time between Chitral and Peshawar by 7 hours, especially beneficial during winter when the Lowari Top is closed due to snow. Eventually, it facilitates visitors with smooth and easier transportation.
Adjacent Major Cities
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- Nowshera
- Dir
- Chitral
9. N-50 Kuchlak – Dera Ismail Khan National Highway
Kuchlak – Dera Ismail Khan National Highway (N-50) extends 531 kilometers from D.I. Khan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to Kuchlak near Quetta via Zhob in Balochistan , Pakistan. It consists of 143 km in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 388 km in Balochistan . Maintained by Pakistan’s National Highway Authority, N-50 serves as a crucial transportation link connecting these regions.
On January 30, 2014, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif inaugurated the Qila Saifullah to Zhob segment of the highway, marking a significant development in its infrastructure. Consequently, the region has witnessed a rise in urban development and housing society. For example, AH City in DI Khan is a game changer in real estate.
Adjacent Major Cities
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- Dera Ismail Khan (D.I. Khan)
Balochistan
- Zhob
- Qila Saifullah
- Kuchlak
10. N-55 Kotri – Peshawar National Highway
N-55 or the Indus Highway extends 1264 km as a two to four-lane national highway running along the Indus River in Pakistan. It connects the southern port city of Karachi with the northwestern city of Peshawar via Dera Ghazi Khan. Maintained and operated by Pakistan’s National Highway Authority, the Indus Highway is a vital part of the national highways network.
Notably, the highway passes through the Kohat Tunnel, enhancing connectivity and transportation efficiency along its route.
Adjacent Major Cities
Sindh
- Karachi
Punjab
- Dera Ghazi Khan
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- Kohat
- Peshawar
11. N-65 Quetta – Sukkur National Highway
The National Highway (N-65) spans 385 kilometers from Sukkur in Sindh to Quetta in Balochistan, Pakistan. It passes through key cities such as Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Jaffarabad, and Nasirabad. This two-lane highway is divided into 295 kilometers in Balochistan and 90 kilometers in Sindh. It is maintained and operated by Pakistan’s National Highway Authority, facilitating transportation and connectivity between these provinces.
Adjacent Major Cities
Sindh
- Sukkur
- Shikarpur
- Jacobabad
Balochistan
- Jaffarabad
- Nasirabad
- Quetta
12. N-70 Qila Saifullah – Multan National Highway
The National Highway (N-70), extends 440 kilometers from Multan in Punjab to Qilla Saifullah via Dera Ghazi Khan and Loralai in Balochistan province. This highway traverses through diverse landscapes, including the imposing Sulaiman Mountains, lush farmlands of Multan and Dera Ghazi Khan districts, and picturesque areas such as MusaKhel and Makhter region. N-70 provides essential connectivity and scenic vistas along its route.
Adjacent Major Cities
Punjab
- Multan
- Dera Ghazi Khan
Balochistan
- Loralai
- Qilla Saifullah
13. N-75 Islamabad – Kohala National Highway
The National Highway (N-75) extends 90 kilometers from the capital city of Islamabad to Kohala via Murree in Punjab. Maintained and operated by Pakistan’s National Highway Authority, N-75 serves as a vital route connecting Islamabad with the scenic hill station of Murree and further to Kohala.
Adjacent Major Cities
Islamabad Capital Territory
- Islamabad (Capital city)
Punjab
- Murree
- Kohala
14. N-80 Islamabad – Kohat National Highway
The N-80 National Highway spans 146 kilometers from the capital city of Islamabad to Kohat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province via Fateh Jang and Jand. This highway is divided into a 121-kilometer section in Punjab Province and a 25-kilometer section in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. It is maintained and operated by Pakistan’s National Highway Authority, facilitating connectivity between these regions.
Adjacent Major Cities
Islamabad Capital Territory
- Islamabad (Capital city)
Punjab
- Fateh Jang
- Jand
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- Kohat
Conclusion
The extensive network of national highways in Pakistan plays a crucial role in connecting various regions and facilitating trade, travel, and economic growth. These highways, managed by the National Highway Authority, link major cities and remote areas, enhancing accessibility and promoting development across the country. The development and maintenance of these highways underscore their importance in supporting the mobility of goods and people, contributing significantly to Pakistan’s progress.
FAQs
How many total national highways are there in Pakistan?
There are total of 39 operational national highways and motorways in Pakistan. These highways are managed and maintained by the National Highway Authority (NHA).
What are the five famous highways of Pakistan?
The five famous highways in Pakistan are:
- N-5 (National Highway 5 or GT Road)
- N-25 (RCD Highway)
- N-35 (Karakoram Highway)
- N-10 (Makran Coastal Highway)
- N-55 (Indus Highway)
Which is the longest highway in Pakistan?
The longest highway in Pakistan is N-5 (National Highway 5 or GT Road).
Which is the best highway in Pakistan?
The best highway in Pakistan is the N-35 (Karakoram Highway).
What is the famous road in Pakistan?
The famous road in Pakistan’s GT Road also known as N-5.
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