Pakistan’s vehicle fleet surges 770% to over 39 million in 35 years

Profit reported that Pakistan's vehicle count has risen by more than 770% across 35 years, from 4.47 million units in 1990 to over 39 million in 2025. The figures come from a Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) study that ties the expansion mainly to privately owned cars, motorcycles and jeeps. Those private vehicles grew from 1.42 million to 35.87 million, while buses, vans, rickshaws and other categories stayed at roughly three to four million.

The researchers link the surge to consumer auto financing, since easier credit lowered upfront costs and let buyers pay in instalments. Financing rose sharply after 2015, a period that coincided with faster private car acquisitions. Emissions have grown as well, with road transport CO2 output reported at roughly 43.6 million tonnes in 2023, up from about 13.8 million in 1990.

Air quality is a growing concern in major cities, with the study estimating transport causes 81.3% of Lahore's CO emissions and 33% in Karachi. During the November 2024 smog, the AQI passed 1,900 in Lahore and 2,000 in Multan. The authors warn that road widening and flyovers may generate more private traffic instead of easing congestion.