DHA Gandhara City, also known as DHA Phase 9 Islamabad, has received provisional approval for a dedicated interchange on the Lahore-Islamabad Motorway (M-2). The decision marks a significant step toward direct motorway access for the project, with officials citing improved connectivity to Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, and other cities along the M-2 corridor.

DHA Gandhara is developed by the Army Welfare Trust (AWT) in partnership with Habib Rafiq Private Limited (HRL), the same development group behind Lahore Smart City. The project is situated along the M-2 Motorway, close to Capital Smart City, and is positioned near several other major developments, including Blue World City, Qurtaba City, and Faisal Town Phase 2. 

The project has an ideal location since it provides connectivity to many important routes and areas such as:

• Approximately 5 minutes from the Rawalpindi Ring Road
• Roughly 7 minutes from the New Islamabad International Airport
• About 10 minutes from the Chakri Interchange
• Around 22 minutes from the Srinagar Highway

The Dedicated Interchange For DHA Gandhara

One of the most significant developments adding to DHA Gandhara's connectivity is its interchange on the M-2 Motorway. This interchange would give residents of the society direct access to the motorway, removing the need to navigate through city traffic to reach the main road network. 

Provisional Approval For DHA Gandhara Dedicated Interchange

As of July 20, 2026, DHA Gandhara City has received provisional approval for its own dedicated interchange on the M-2 Motorway. This was followed by a review by the National Highway Authority (NHA), which referred the matter to the National Highway Council (NHC) for a special policy relaxation. Under standard NHA policy, new motorway interchanges must maintain a minimum separation of 10 kilometers from existing ones, but the proposed DHA Gandhara interchange sits only about 7 kilometers from the already-approved Capital Smart City interchange. The proposal was first reviewed at the NHA Executive Board's 485th meeting on June 16, 2026, before being referred to the NHC, which granted provisional approval at its meeting on June 22, 2026. 

Benefits of DHA Gandhara Dedicated Interchange

The dedicated interchange on the M2 motorway is expected to deliver the following advantages:

1. Reduced travel time: Direct motorway access is expected to cut commuting time significantly for residents heading toward Islamabad, Rawalpindi, or Lahore.
2. Improved traffic flow: A dedicated access point helps ease congestion that might otherwise build up at shared or distant entry points.
3. Increased commercial value: Easier access typically drives higher demand for commercial plots near the interchange, given improved visibility and footfall potential.
4. Stronger long-term investment appeal: Direct motorway access is widely regarded as one of the strongest predictors of sustained property value growth in Pakistan's housing market.

Scope For Investment

Direct motorway access is one of the most valued features in Pakistan's real estate market, and it is because of the following reasons:

• Properties located near motorway interchanges typically see faster appreciation than those requiring long approach roads
• Commercial plots close to interchanges tend to attract higher footfall, leading to stronger rental and resale demand
• Reduced commute times make such societies more attractive to end-users, not just investors, which supports long-term demand

The dedicated interchange on the M2 motorway for DHA Gandhara, once developed, can be a remarkable infrastructure for the society as it will not only boost the project connectivity but will also act as a stimulator for property value appreciation and commercial growth.