Country Report on Road Infrastructure

The total road network is about 260,000 km, consisting of national highways (about 11,400 km),
provincial highways (92,500 km), and district and urban roads (156,100 km). The National
Highway Authority (NHA) is responsible for national highways, including accesscontrolled
motorways and expressways, while provincial and district administrators are responsible for
provincial highways and district roads. The national highway network, which comprises 4% of
the total road network, caters to 80% of commercial traffic. Road transport is a dominant
transport mode in Pakistan, accounting for 91% of passenger traffic and 96% of freight traffic.
Despite the high reliance on road transport, the quality of the road infrastructure causes severe
capacity constraints. Although the quality of the national highways has improved considerably
through continuous investments and better road asset management, the overall road condition
is not good—only 7% is in good condition while 26% is still in poor or very poor condition. The
condition of the provincial highways is worse—many roads are either permanently impassable
or subject to closure during bad weather.

The road spread – which facilitates economic activity in many ways – is rather low; at 0.33 km of
road length per sq km of land area. It is relatively high in Punjab (0.51) and Sindh (0.57), but,
low in Baluchistan (0.12) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (0.30). In neighboring countries road spread
ranges from 2.1 km/km2 in Bangladesh and 1.1 km/km2 in India

Insufficient Road Network:

 Issue: Pakistan's road network is not adequately developed to cater to its growing
population and economic needs. Many areas lack paved roads, resulting in limited
accessibility.

 Example: The province of Balochistan has vast, sparsely populated regions with
inadequate road connectivity. For instance, the lack of proper roads in Balochistan's
mountainous terrain makes it challenging for people to access healthcare, education,
and markets.
Traffic Congestion:

 Issue: Major cities suffer from traffic congestion due to the increasing number of
vehicles, insufficient road capacity, and lack of efficient traffic management.

 Example: Karachi experiences severe traffic jams during rush hours, leading to
increased travel times, fuel consumption, and air pollution. This congestion is often due
to the lack of dedicated lanes, poorly designed intersections, and insufficient public
transportation options.
Poor Road Quality:

 Issue: Many roads in Pakistan are in poor condition, characterized by potholes, cracks,
and surface erosion, which lead to discomfort for road users and safety hazards.
Pakistan stands on 70th rank in terms of Road Quality Index 2023 according to World
Economic Forum (WEF)
  Example: The Grand Trunk Road (GT Road), a historically significant highway, has
deteriorating road quality in several sections, making travel challenging and causing
vehicle wear and tear.

Floods 2022 and Road Infrastructure

Floods in Pakistan can cause extensive damage to road infrastructure due to the country's
geographical vulnerability to flooding, particularly during the monsoon season. Here's an
explanation of how floods can lead to road damages in Pakistan. According to National
Disasters Management Authority, since June 14 to August 27, 2022, a total of 3161.5km roads,
149 bridges and 122 shops were destroyed and damaged during recent devastative record
breaking floods in the country.
Erosion of Roadbed:
Heavy rainfall and floodwaters can erode the roadbed, especially in areas with poor drainage
systems or along riverbanks. Erosion weakens the road foundation, leading to cracks,
sinkholes, and structural instability. Roads may become impassable or unsafe for travel
Submersion of Roads:
Floodwaters can submerge roads entirely, especially in low-lying areas and floodplains.
Submerged roads become unusable, disrupting transportation networks and isolating
communities.
Bridges and Culvert Damage:
Floodwaters can wash away or damage bridges and culverts, which are critical components of
road infrastructure. The loss of bridges and culverts can severe transportation links, making it
challenging for people and goods to move across affected areas.

Landslides:
Intense rainfall during floods can trigger landslides, causing debris to block roads and create
hazards. Landslides can damage road surfaces, block traffic, and pose risks to travelers.
Road Washouts:
Floodwaters can wash out entire sections of roads, leaving behind gaps or craters. These
washouts require major reconstruction efforts and can lead to extended road closures.