Last checked: October 2026. Tunnel status, rail services and security conditions change, so confirm locally before you travel.
Pakistan has a small number of notable tunnels that shaped how people reach remote regions. This guide covers three that travellers are most likely to use or hear about: the Lowari Tunnel in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Pak-China Friendship Tunnels at Attabad Lake in Hunza, and the historic Khojak railway tunnel in Balochistan.
Quick answer: which tunnels are worth knowing?
Lowari Tunnel links Dir and Chitral and keeps Chitral reachable through winter. The Attabad tunnels carry the Karakoram Highway past Attabad Lake in Hunza. The Khojak Tunnel is a 19th-century railway tunnel on the Quetta to Chaman line. There is no tunnel at Khunjerab Pass itself, which is an open high-altitude road crossing.
Tunnels at a glance
| Tunnel | Where | Key facts |
|---|---|---|
| Lowari Tunnel | Between Dir and Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | Road tunnel of about 8.5 km, opened to traffic in 2017 after work that began in the 1970s; bypasses the Lowari Pass, which is about 3,118 m |
| Attabad (Pak-China Friendship) Tunnels | Karakoram Highway, Upper Hunza | Five tunnels of about 7 km in total on a realigned 24 km section of the highway, opened in September 2015 after the 2010 landslide |
| Khojak Tunnel | Quetta to Chaman railway line, Balochistan | Railway tunnel of about 3.9 km built under British rule and completed in 1891 |
Lowari Tunnel
The Lowari Tunnel runs under the Hindu Kush between Dir and Chitral. Work started in the 1970s, stalled for years and was completed in 2017. Before it opened, Chitral was often cut off in winter when snow closed the Lowari Pass. The tunnel makes year-round road access to Chitral more reliable, although snow and landslides can still close approach roads. Reported road times from Islamabad to Chitral are about 8 to 10 hours. See our Chitral guide.
Attabad (Pak-China Friendship) Tunnels
After the January 2010 landslide created Attabad Lake and drowned part of the Karakoram Highway, a realigned 24 km section with five tunnels totalling about 7 km opened in September 2015, built with Chinese support. The tunnels let you drive past the lake instead of crossing it by boat. See our Attabad Lake guide and Hunza Valley travel guide.
Khojak Tunnel
The Khojak Tunnel carries the Quetta to Chaman railway through the Khojak Pass area near the Afghan border. It dates from the 1880s and was completed in 1891. It is a working railway asset, not a tourist attraction, and rail services in Balochistan have been disrupted or suspended at times for security and operational reasons.
Travel tips
- Check weather and road status, especially for Lowari and the Karakoram Highway.
- Fuel up in major towns before long drives.
- Do not stop to take photographs inside tunnels, because it is dangerous and illegal.
- Carry your ID or passport for checkpoints.
Safety tips
Conditions vary by region. Travel in daylight and read our Pakistan safety guide before you go.
Emergency contacts
National Highways and Motorway Police: 130. Rescue 1122 operates in many districts. Confirm local numbers before you travel.
Tunnels in Pakistan FAQs
What is the longest road tunnel in Pakistan?
The Lowari Tunnel, at about 8.5 km, is reported as the longest road tunnel in the country.
Is there a tunnel at Khunjerab Pass?
No. The Karakoram Highway crosses Khunjerab Pass as an open road at about 4,693 m. The Pak-China Friendship Tunnels are at Attabad Lake, far to the south.
Does the Lowari Tunnel stay open in winter?
It is intended for year-round use, but snow and landslides can still disrupt approach roads, so check conditions.
Can tourists visit the Khojak Tunnel?
It is a working railway tunnel in a region where governments advise against travel, so it is not a practical tourist stop.
Final thoughts on Pakistan’s tunnels
The Lowari and Attabad tunnels are practical parts of northern road trips, while Khojak is mainly of historical interest. Confirm conditions before you travel.