M-2 motorway, motorway in Pakistan
The M-2 motorway is a long-distance highway connecting Lahore to Islamabad through Punjab province. It features six lanes and passes through diverse terrain including fields, the Salt Range mountains, river crossings, and towns like Sheikhupura and Kallar Kahar.
Construction began in the early 1990s and the motorway opened to the public in 1997, making it the first long-distance motorway in South Asia. The project was part of Pakistan's infrastructure modernization efforts and involved international companies.
The motorway's name comes from Pakistan's official highway numbering system. It functions as a symbol of the country's development, as people recognize it for connecting two major cities and enabling the daily movement of workers, traders, and families between them.
Service areas are located roughly every 60 to 70 kilometers along the route, offering fuel, food, restrooms, and rest spaces for travelers. Speed limits are strictly enforced, and portions of the road are illuminated at night to help with safe driving.
The Salt Range viaduct is one of the highest bridges in the region, with tall thick pillars that travelers often notice and photograph as they pass. This section was upgraded in 2006 with improved signage and road markings for better safety.
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