The M4 ( ur, ) is a north–south
motorway
A controlled-access highway is a type of highway that has been designed for high-speed vehicular traffic, with all traffic flow—ingress and egress—regulated. Common English terms are freeway, motorway and expressway. Other similar terms i ...
in
Pakistan
Pakistan ( ur, ), officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan ( ur, , label=none), is a country in South Asia. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by population, fifth-most populous country, with a population of almost 24 ...
that connects the cities of
Faisalabad
Faisalabad (; Punjabi/ ur, , ; ), formerly known as Lyallpur ( Punjabi, Urdu: لائل پور), named after the founder of the city, but was renamed in 1977 in honour of late King Faisal of Saudi Arabia. It is the 3rd largest city of Pak ...
and
Multan
Multan (; ) is a city in Punjab, Pakistan, on the bank of the Chenab River. Multan is Pakistan's seventh largest city as per the 2017 census, and the major cultural, religious and economic centre of southern Punjab.
Multan is one of the List ...
. The 309 km motorway also connects to the
M2,
M3 and
M5 motorways.
[M-4 to be inaugurated again tomororrow]
Dawn (newspaper), Published 1 February 2019, Retrieved 12 October 2021Sahiwal to be connected with Lahore-Multan motorway
Dawn (newspaper), Published 10 April 2021, Retrieved 12 October 2021
History
The M4 Motorway was planned as part of Pakistan's Motorway Network from Faisalabad to Multan. The ground breaking ceremony of the project was carried out by then president of pakistan parveez Musharraf in 2007. At that time already constructed motorway from Faisalabad to Pindi Bhattian was named as M3 Motorway, sometimes it was referred to as shortest motorway of Pakistan. However, in 2013, when Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif
Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif (Urdu, Punjabi: ; born 25 December 1949) is a Pakistani businessman and politician who has served as the Prime Minister of Pakistan for three non-consecutive terms. He is the longest-serving prime minister of Paki ...
became Prime Minister of Pakistan, another motorway from Lahore to Darkhana (Abdul Hakeem) was planned under CPEC to provide an alternate route for traffic coming to & from Lahore, bounded for Multan & subsequently up till Karachi so as to avoid/ reduce congestion over already existing N-5. This new motorway was designated as M3 Motorway (Lahore Abdul Hakeem Motorway) & the previously named M3 Motorway (Pindi Bhattian to Faisalabad) was merged with Faisalabad Multan Motorway & the entire stretch from Pindi Bhattian to Multan was named as M4 Motorway (Pindi Bhattian- Faisalabad- Multan Motorway).[
]
Inauguration
The M4 Motorway (Faisalabad to Multan section) was inaugurated in parts, first being Faisalabad to Gojra, second was Multan to Khanewal (Shamkot), third being Gojra to Shorkot, fourth was Shorkot to Abdul Hakeem ( Shorkot to Abdul Hakeem became operational almost together with Lahore Abdul Hakeem (Darkhana) Motorway) & finally Abdul Hakim (Deen Pur) to Khanewal (Shamkot). The last section of M4 Motorway (Abdul Hakeem to Khanewal) was inaugurated by the Foreign Minister of Pakistan Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi
Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Hussain Qureshi ( ur, ; born 22 June 1956) is a Pakistani politician who served as the 29th Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2018 to 2022. He previously held the post from 2008 to 2011. He has been a member of the Nationa ...
. The M4 Motorway was completed successfully by the end of 2019.
Pindi Bahttian to Faisalabad section of M4 Motorway was inaugurated in Year 2003.[
]
Route
The M4 begins near the M2 Pindi Bhattian Interchange and continues on a southwest course connecting the cities of Faisalabad
Faisalabad (; Punjabi/ ur, , ; ), formerly known as Lyallpur ( Punjabi, Urdu: لائل پور), named after the founder of the city, but was renamed in 1977 in honour of late King Faisal of Saudi Arabia. It is the 3rd largest city of Pak ...
, Gojra
Gojra ( Punjabi and ur, ), the administrative capital of Gojra Tehsil, is the city of Toba Tek Singh District in the Punjab province of Pakistan. Gojra is from Faisalabad, from Lahore and north of Toba Tek Singh. Founded in 1896 during the B ...
, Toba Tek Singh
Toba Tek Singh ( pnb, , ur, ) is a city and capital of Toba Tek Singh District in the Pakistani province of Punjab. It is surrounded by cities of Gojra, Kamalia, Rajana, Pir Mahal and Shorkot.
History
The city and district is named afte ...
, Shorkot
Shorkot ( ur, , Basti starabad=), ( pa, ), is a city in Punjab, Pakistan.
It is also a capital city of Shorkot Tehsil in Jhang district. It is located at 30°30'N 72°24'E with an altitude of 131 metres (433 ft).
The city is famous ...
, Abdul Hakeem, Khanewal
Khanewal () is a city and the capital of Khanewal District in the Punjab province of Pakistan. It is the 36th largest city of Pakistan by population.
Khanewal is named after the earliest settlers here who belonged to the caste ‘Daha’ (A Sub ...
and Multan
Multan (; ) is a city in Punjab, Pakistan, on the bank of the Chenab River. Multan is Pakistan's seventh largest city as per the 2017 census, and the major cultural, religious and economic centre of southern Punjab.
Multan is one of the List ...
. And ends at Sher Shah Interachange giving exit to Multan Cantt over Shujabaad Road & itself continues as M5 Multan-Sukkur Motorway. It is connected to M3 Motorway (Lahore to Abdul Hakeem Motorway) near a village named Darkhana a few kilometers northeast of Abdul Hakeem Interchange. There is a separate Toll Plaza for Entrance/ Exit to/ from M3 Motorway.
Throughout its route, it passes mainly through the Agricultural Lands of Central Punjab.
Railway Line
M4 route is almost parallel to Railway Line till Faisalabad i.e. from Multan to Khanewal. The railway line runs along the left side of Motorway with an overhead bridge of Motorway for Railway crossing near Shamkot village. Then onwards, the Railway Line runs parallel to the right of motorway till Faisalabad, although the railway line might not be clearly visible from this motorway.
River Ravi
M4 Motorway crosses River Ravi in between Abdul Hakeem Interchange & Darkhana (M4, M3 Junction) Interchange.
Junctions and interchanges
References
{{Roads in Pakistan
M04
Toll roads in Pakistan