Transport in Pakistan
6.3.1 Modes of transport used in Pakistan
1. Road
Road transport is most popular, and it carries about 90% of the total
passenger traffic. The country has about 248,340 kilometers of roads, of
which more than 50 percent are paved. The rest are graveled or unimproved
tracks. Road traffic is increasing to nearly overwhelming proportions, with
mixtures of animal carts, high-speed cars, buses, and trucks. The principal
roads of Pakistan are GT (Grand Trunk) Road, Super Indus Highway (N-55),
Karakoram Highway (N-35), Makran Coastal Highway (N-10) and Motorway
Projects (M1, M2, M3, M8, M9).
2. Railways
Pakistan's railways cover roughly 7,791 kilometers. Most are in the Indus
Valley, from Karachi to the Punjab, with a few lines into the North-West
Frontier and one westward across northern Baluchistan to the Iranian border.
3. Air
Pakistan is served by numerous international airlines as well as its own
Pakistan International Airlines, which provides both international and
domestic service. International airports are located at Karachi, Islamabad,
Peshawar, Quetta, and Lahore. "Prior to the early 1990s the domestic airline
industry was regulated by the state. After deregulation, several privately
owned airlines began to operate in Pakistan. PIA has made remarkable
progress. It began with a fleet of 15 aircraft. By 1999-2000, it had 45 aircraft.
Today, there are three private airlines operating in the country. Shaheen, Air
Blue and Aero Asia.
4. Water
Ocean shipping is extensive through Karachi, on the coast of the Arabian
Sea. The city's port handles more than 95 percent of all of Pakistan's imports
and exports. The city of Qasim also has a port to handle a share of the
country's trade. And government is also establishing new port, Gwadar port.
6.3.2 Advantages and Disadvantages of mode of transport used in Pakistan.
Transport refers to such means through which we travel or carry goods
from one place to another. Some of the examples of transport are cars,
airplanes, trains, boats, etc. Transport is categorized into three main modes
i.e. land, air, and water transport. Land transport is further categorized into
railways and road transport.
Road Transport
Advantages Disadvantages
Road transport is Road transport is a
comparatively a cheaper and comparatively slower mode of
affordable mode of transport transport over long distances.
for poor and middle-class For example, it takes more
people. than 18 hours to reach Karachi
by road from Islamabad
It is suitable for short distance whereas it takes 2hr for the
travel or transportation of same travel by air.
goods.
It is not suitable for the
It makes almost all places with transport of fragile, perishable,
varied topography accessible, and light goods or such
commodities that are required
on an emergency basis.
Road transport over long
distance can be time some
and cause exhaustion.
Air Transport
Advantages Disadvantages
Air transport is the speediest Air transport is the expensive
and quickest mode of mode of transport. Not all
transport among all types of people can afford due to high
transport. travel fares.
It is a more comfortable It possesses greater chances
means of transport. It is also of accidents thus carrying
suitable for the transport of more risk.
fragile goods which are
needed on an emergency It is unreliable; flights are
basis. subjected to weather
conditions.
This mode of transport is also
suitable for moving patients. This mode of transport
involves large investments for
It is used for improvement of construction and
security and defense. maintenance.
Water transport
Advantages Disadvantages
Water transport is a Water transport is a water-
comparatively cheaper mode bound mode of transport.
of transport.
Flights are subjected to
It is most suitable for the weather conditions.
transport of heavy and bulky
goods. Comparatively, it is a slow
mode of transport.
It is suitable for international
trade.
Train transport
Advantages Disadvantages
Rail transport is suitable for Trains involve large
the carriage of goods and maintenance and construction
people in a bulk at a time. expenses.
It carries a larger capacity for It is comparatively less flexible
both passengers and freight in terms of route and time
traffic. adjustment in times of
It is also comparatively emergency.
cheaper. This mode of transport is not
It becomes a quicker and very suitable for short distances.
fast mode of transport over Railways are non-existent is
long distances. mountainous areas. Difficult to
Railways are all-weather lay railways lines in the
transport. mountains.