Pakistan’s strategic location has long positioned it as a natural gateway between South Asia, Central Asia, and beyond. Yet realizing this potential required modern infrastructure capable of moving people and goods quickly, safely, and efficiently. The country has been turning that goal into reality with the support of the CAREC Program.  

A major step forward came with the National Trade Corridor Highway Investment Program, which upgraded key sections of the E35 expressway along the CAREC Corridor 5. Implemented from 2015 to 2017 with $327 million in financing from the Asian Development Bank and the government of the United Kingdom, the project built the Hassanabdal–Sarai Saleh and Sarai Saleh–Havelian sections. This created a modern six-lane highway linked to Pakistan’s M-1 motorway. 

These upgrades have secured Pakistan’s role as a regional transit hub, connecting Central Asia and East Asia with South Asia while giving landlocked countries access to Karachi’s seaports. Faster, more reliable transport has accelerated the movement of freight and passengers along one of the region’s most vital trade routes. 

The difference on the ground has been remarkable. Travel time between Peshawar and Karachi dropped by 42 hours compared with 2006, significantly cutting freight costs. Higher vehicle speeds across the upgraded sections reduced travel delays and lowered operating costs for transport companies. This improved efficiency led to greater use of the corridor, with daily traffic volumes rising sharply in the years following its completion. 

As connectivity improved, so did access to vital services. The better roads opened smoother routes to major industrial zones such as the Hattar Industrial Estate, while strengthening links to markets, schools, and health-care facilities.   

The upgraded highway has boosted tourism by making travel more convenient. The CAREC Corridor 5 continues to drive economic growth and regional integration as more people and businesses tap into these smoother links. 

By investing in modern transport networks, Pakistan is improving domestic mobility and building stronger ties across the CAREC region. The transformation of Corridor 5 demonstrates how strategic infrastructure investments can unlock trade, connect communities, and lay the foundation for lasting progress.