Key Indicators:
Quality of roads, Road density, Efficiency of train services, Railroad density, Efficiency of public transport services, Efficiency of seaport services
Note: This pillar measures the availability of efficient and accessible ground and port transportation services and infrastructure.
The growth of the tourism industry depends on the development of the transportation infrastructure.[127] The Ground and Port Infrastructure pillar for Pakistan, as assessed by the World Economic Forum, provides a detailed overview of the country’s infrastructure readiness and efficiency.
Pakistan’s overall ranking in this pillar is 64 out of 119 countries, according to the T&T Development Index 2024.[128] Despite a slight decrease in score to 3.37, the ranking reflects ongoing efforts to enhance infrastructure quality.
The Quality of roads, however, experiences a decline in ranking to 69, with a consistent score of 4.10, indicating challenges in maintaining road standards. On the other hand, there’s a notable improvement in Road density, with Pakistan ranking at 66 and experiencing an increase to 36.20 km per surface area, resulting in an elevated score of 2.09, highlighting progress in enhancing road connectivity across the nation.
Under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the government has approved a $2 billion project for the construction of the Thakot-Raikot 241-kilometer section of the Karakoram Highway.[129] Additionally, the Punjab government has approved two road projects worth PKR 83 billion for the Sahiwal division under the Annual Development Plan (ADP), allocating PKR 60 billion for the dualization of the 198 km Chichawatni-Layyah Road and PKR 23 billion for a 57 km carriageway from Sahiwal to the Samundri Interchange.[130]
Additionally, the Asian Development Bank’s $320 million loan will fund 900 kilometers of rural road construction,[131] [132] improve flood protection, and boost tourism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, enhancing Pakistan’s infrastructure development.[133]
The Asian Development Bank’s $320 million loan will fund 900 kilometers of rural road construction.
The Efficiency of train services sees an increase in ranking to 46, though the score remains unchanged at 3.90, indicating a need for further improvement in service efficiency. Similarly, Railroad density remains steady at 1.01 km per 100 square km surface area, maintaining Pakistan’s rank at 54, with a score of 1.67, showcasing the importance of further investment in rail infrastructure. The rail transport network of Pakistan Railways, which currently consists of 451 locomotives and a route length of 7,791 kilometers, plays a crucial role in national integration and economic growth. Notably, this route length has remained unchanged since FY 2010-11, when the network had 528 locomotives, highlighting a lack of expansion over the time.[134]
The Efficiency of public transport services shows improvement in ranking to 51, yet faces challenges with a score of 4.23, indicating areas for enhancement. Lastly, the Efficiency of seaport services exhibits progress, with Pakistan ranking 64 and experiencing a decline in efficiency to 4.21, underscoring the need for optimization in seaport operations to facilitate trade and commerce.
Since the reopening of Khunjerab Port, the only land port between China and Pakistan, has seen a significant increase in cross-border tourism. The port has become a vital transit point, with over 5,000 travelers passing through, marking a 454% year-on-year increase. Enhanced transport links make Khunjerab Port a key hub for international trade and tourism between the two countries. To accommodate the growing number of tourists, the port has improved its services, including special lanes for tour groups, ensuring smooth and efficient customs processing.[135]