Number of Vehicles in Pakistan Increases by Over 770% in 35 Years

In practice, the number of vehicles in Pakistan has rose by more than 770% over the past 35 years, rising from 4.47 million in 1990 to over 39 million in 2025, according to a recent study by the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE).

Key points

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• According to the findings, private vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, and jeeps, rose from 1.42 million in 1990 to 35.87 million in 2025.
• Lahore Cracks Down on Illegal Bus Stands Oct 15, 2026 4: 21 pm.
• The study, titled More Vehicles, Less Mobility: Understanding the Urban Transport Paradox in Pakistan, was authored by Raheel Hasan Qadar and Irem Batool.

For context, the study, titled More Vehicles, Less Mobility: Understanding the Urban Transport Paradox in Pakistan, was authored by Raheel Hasan Qadar and Irem Batool. It discovered that the rise was largely driven by private vehicles rather than public transportation. Are Peshawar BRT Buses Being Moved to Punjab After the Emergency?

In comparison, public transport vehicles, including buses, vans, and rickshaws, along with other vehicle categories, remained relatively stable at around three to four million.

Meanwhile, the researchers identified easier access to auto financing as a major factor behind the growth, allowing more households to purchase vehicles through installment payments. Vehicle ownership grew particularly rapidly after 2015, coinciding with a sharp rise in consumer financing.

In practice, the growing number of vehicles has additionally contributed to worsening air pollution in major cities, including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi.

Road transport carbon dioxide emissions rose from approximately 13.8 million tonnes in 1990 to 43.6 million tonnes in 2023. Emissions temporarily declined during the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020 and again in 2022 due to widespread flooding and rising petroleum rates, before rebounding to new highs. Lahore Launches Rickshaw Training Program for Women.

While poor air quality is estimated to reduce average life expectancy in the city by around seven years, the study discovered that transport accounts for approximately 81.3% of Lahore's estimated carbon monoxide emissions.

Transport additionally accounts for approximately 53% of emissions in Islamabad-Rawalpindi, 51% in Peshawar, and 33% in Karachi.

Notably, the researchers cautioned that widening roads and constructing more flyovers may encourage greater private vehicle apply instead of reducing congestion.

They continued that such projects could rise travel distances, contribute to urban sprawl, and worsen inequalities for individuals who rely on public transportation. Stay Connected with ProPakistani.

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In short, number of Vehicles in Pakistan Increases by Over 770% in 35 Years is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.