Assalama o alaikum,
Further to my last message, please find below and update on our travel between Lahore and Karachi.
On 24th May, around 10:30 am, got the fuel tank filled at Total station (Thokar Niaz Baig) and started the journey towards Khanewal.
At 2:30pm, reached Khanewal and picked my colleague from Unilever Tea Factory. Took a 30minutes break, resumed our journey - next stop Rahim yar Khan (night stay and to pick another colleague). This time, we took Khanewal-Multan-Lodhran route instead of Khanewal-Lodhran as road on the 'direct route' is narrow and one cannot move fast due to two way heavy traffic. The 'indirect route' via Multan is bit long but takes same time as the 'direct route'.
A pleasant coincidence happened after crossing the Sutlej River/Bahawalpur Bypass. We stopped for a cup of tea at a tea stall, and noticed that it is the same place where we stopped few month ago, but in different car (please see pics of earlier visit). Anyways, reach Rahim Yar Khan at 7pm, entered the city through Iqbalabad exit (few kms before Chowk Bhadurpur, when coming from Lahore).
Spent the night at Shelton Guest House (near Daewoo RYK shuttle stop). Next day (25th May) left for Karachi at 9:00 am, without the third colleague as his assignment was not finished.
Road was good till Daharki, only 2-3 small patches under construction near Engro fertilizer. However, several diversions in Ghotki forced us to drive slow. Good progress seen on Sukkur-Khairpur section. Similarly, many patches are about to be completed between Khairpur-Ranipur-Hala sections. Some short patches are already in use unofficially. From Matiari onwards, no work being done - so no diversions.
Due to a protest before Latifabad gate, we entered Hyderabad and returned to Highway from Latifabad, and finally reached Karachi at 8:00pm.
Requesting others to also share your experience, to help others prepare accordingly - thanks
Regard,
Sajid
