Muhammad Faisal Kaleem

The National Highway Authority (NHA) has identified three major highways as Pakistan’s most critical corridors for regional connectivity across Asia as well as for ensuring smooth domestic mobility.

According to official documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the strategic highways include the National Highway (N-5), Indus Highway (N-55), and the Karakoram Highway (N-35). The NHA noted that these routes form an essential part of the Asian Highway Network, which operates under the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) framework.

The documents state that the three highways connect Pakistan with multiple Asian regions through corridors AH1, AH2, AH4, and AH7. Together, they support the movement of people and goods across the country and provide vital links with neighboring states, enhancing trade efficiency and accelerating cross-border economic activity. Through this network, Pakistan serves as a key transit bridge between South Asia, Central Asia, and East Asia.

The NHA has reported notable progress in improving road geometry, safety features, and high-risk sections through a phased, data-driven approach. However, the pace of upgrades remains affected by legacy design constraints and the rising impact of climate-related disasters, including floods, landslides, and glacial lake outburst events.

An NHA official told Wealth Pakistan that the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) program plays a pivotal role in strengthening regional connectivity. “It is a partnership of countries and development organizations working to improve connectivity, trade, and economic cooperation across Central and South Asia,” he said.

For Pakistan, he added, CAREC has been instrumental in financing and guiding major transport and road projects. “Through CAREC, NHA has improved road safety standards and modernized border crossings. Many key NHA corridors are part of the CAREC Transport Network, enhancing Pakistan’s links with Afghanistan, China, and Central Asian nations. This partnership strengthens trade routes, boosts regional integration, and expands economic opportunities,” he explained.

NHA spokesperson Mazhar Hussain said the authority was making concerted efforts to maintain these strategic corridors to ensure smooth and safe travel. He added that NHA was working closely with provincial agencies to address local challenges along the routes. “These combined efforts will not only support regional trade but also improve daily travel for citizens, making the entire network more reliable and efficient,” he said.

Credit: INP-WealthPk