KEY POINTS
- Government slashed speed limits on motorways and national highways.
- Speed limit for cars and LTVs on motorways was reduced from 120km/h to 100km/h
- While PSVs and HTVs must now drive at 90km/h, down from 110km/h.
- On national highways, the speed cap for cars and LTVs was lowered to 80km/h, and for PSVs/HTVs to 65km/h.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has reduced speed limits for vehicles on motorways and national highways as part of measures to curb fuel consumption amid a global energy crisis triggered by rising oil prices due to the Iran conflict.
The new regulations were announced on Thursday by the National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP), citing the need for urgent austerity measures in the face of a global fuel crisis.
According to an official handout issued by the NHMP, the decision aligns with directives from the Prime Minister’s Office to ensure efficient energy use and promote fuel savings across the country.
The development follows a recent spike in global oil prices, exacerbated by the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran.
اطلاع عام! pic.twitter.com/Al2NpEn6Aq
— National Highways & Motorway Police (NHMP) (@NHMPofficial) March 12, 2026
Revised speed limits across networks
The most significant changes have been implemented on Pakistan’s motorways, where the maximum permissible speed for cars and light transport vehicles (LTVs) has been reduced from 120 kilometres per hour (km/h) to 100 km/h.
Passenger service vehicles (PSVs) and heavy transport vehicles (HTVs) plying the motorways will also need to adjust their speeds.
Their limit has been lowered from 110 km/h to 90 km/h.
The national highways have also seen a downward revision of speed thresholds. Cars and LTVs on these routes must now adhere to a limit of 80 km/h, reduced from the previous 100 km/h.
For PSVs and HTVs travelling on national highways, the speed limit has been tightened from 80 km/h to 65 km/h.
Nationwide awareness campaign launched
To ensure a smooth transition to the new rules, the NHMP has launched a comprehensive awareness campaign.
The statement confirmed that the drive is aimed at informing commuters across the country and ensuring effective implementation of the revised limits.
Part of broader austerity drive
This adjustment in speed limits is the latest in a series of measures unveiled by the government last week aimed at conserving fuel.
Previous austerity announcements included a 50 per cent cut in the fuel allowance for official vehicles.
Additionally, it was decided that half of the staff in the public sector would work from home, with exemptions only for those providing essential services.
The new speed regulations are expected to significantly reduce fuel burn rates for both private and commercial transport.
