The federal government has announced plans to connect the Lahore–Sialkot Motorway (M-11) to Islamabad via Kharian. This project will reduce the travel distance between the two cities by nearly 100 kilometres and improve road connectivity across Punjab.
Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan shared the plan while addressing the passing-out parade of the 12th Basic Recruit Course at the National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) Training College in Sheikhupura. The ceremony marked the graduation of 401 officers, including 67 women, who will join the motorway police force.
Proposed Motorway Link via Kharian
According to the minister, the proposed route will connect the M-11 Lahore–Sialkot Motorway to Islamabad through Kharian, creating an alternative high-speed corridor between the provincial and federal capitals.
The project could reduce travel distance by nearly 100 km while easing pressure on the existing Lahore–Islamabad Motorway (M-2), which currently handles most of the traffic between the two cities.
The new corridor may also improve freight movement between major industrial hubs, including Sialkot, Gujrat, and Gujranwala.
M-11 Expansion Toward Islamabad
The 103-kilometre M-11 motorway, opened in 2020, significantly reduced travel time between Lahore and Sialkot and serves as a key route for the region’s export-driven industries.
The government plans to extend this network northwards through:
- Sambrial–Kharian Motorway (M-12)
- Kharian–Rawalpindi Motorway (M-13)
Once completed, these segments will link the M-11 corridor with the Islamabad–Rawalpindi region, creating a continuous motorway route from Sialkot to the federal capital.
Motorway Expansion a National Priority
Aleem Khan said expanding Pakistan’s motorway network remains a key infrastructure priority. He added that the National Highway Authority (NHA) has seen improved financial performance, with revenue increasing 63 percent, from Rs66.8 billion in 2024 to Rs109 billion by June 2025.
According to the minister, the additional revenue is being reinvested into new road projects aimed at strengthening connectivity between Pakistan’s ports and its northern regions.
Other Highway Projects Underway
The government is also progressing on several major road initiatives across the country, including:
- Karachi–Quetta–Chaman Expressway (N-25)
- Integration of the motorway network from Sukkur to Hyderabad and Karachi’s ports
- The Sukkur–Hyderabad Motorway (M-6) is expected to begin construction in May 2026
Officials also plan to connect the Mansehra–Kaghan–Naran Motorway to Babusar Top, creating an alternative route to the Karakoram Highway and supporting tourism in northern Pakistan.
In addition, authorities are considering barrier-free toll plazas and an air ambulance service on motorways, developed in collaboration with the Pakistan Air Force.
Potential Impact on Travel and Trade
If completed, the Lahore–Sialkot–Kharian–Islamabad corridor could provide a faster route between central and northern Punjab while reducing congestion on the M-2 motorway.
The project may also improve logistics for exporters in Sialkot and surrounding industrial cities by offering a more direct motorway link to the federal capital.
Reference Link:- https://www.pakwheels.com/blog/new-motorway-link-may-cut-lahore-islamabad-distance-by-100-km/