A pothole, an open manhole or a washed-out road edge can cause a crash within hours. In Pakistan, the right place to report depends on who owns the road. Motorways and highways are handled by the National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP). City roads go to the local council, and open sewer manholes in Karachi go to KWSC. The Pakistan Citizen Portal is a back-up for all of them. Here is who to call, what to send and what the sources do not confirm.
Step 1: Stay Safe First
- Do not stand in the road to take a photo. Stay back from the hazard and take pictures from a safe place.
- Do not lift or replace a manhole lid yourself. Pakera’s Karachi guide says to mark the hole with something tall and visible, warn nearby people and keep children away.
- If someone has been hurt, call emergency services first. The sources I read do not list the emergency numbers, so use the ones you already know, such as the police or Rescue 1122 where it operates.
Step 2: Find Out Who Owns the Road
- Motorway or national highway: The National Highways and Motorway Police says its helpline is 130, according to its contact page.
- City road: The local body in charge. MarkSafe (2 March 2026) names KMC for Karachi, LDA for Lahore, CDA for Islamabad and PDA for Peshawar.
- Sewer manhole in Karachi: The Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC).
- Not sure: Use the Pakistan Citizen Portal. MarkSafe says it routes complaints to departments at federal and provincial levels.
MarkSafe does not say which agency handles provincial roads, and I did not find a clear source for that. Look for the department’s name on road signs or ask a local council.
Motorways and Highways: Call 130
The NHMP contact page lists:
- Helpline: 130.
- Complaint Cell: +92-51-9320290.
- Main office: +92-51-9320294-5, in Mauve Area G-11/1, Islamabad.
- Online: The Pakistan Citizen Portal, web.citizenportal.gov.pk.
The page does not list an email address or the exact roads covered. It says the force aims to promote safety on motorways and highways. Tell the operator your road, the direction, the nearest interchange or kilometre marker, and what the hazard is.
Karachi Roads: KMC Helpline 1339
Aaj News (28 August 2025) says the Mayor of Karachi gave 1339 as the helpline to complain about bad roads and said WhatsApp numbers were provided, without listing them. It says KMC would repair and maintain 106 roads under a 60-day plan, with a separate contractor in each district. This is a year old, so check that the number still works.
Open Manholes in Karachi: KWSC 1334
Pakera (as of 1 October 2026) says KWSC takes open manhole complaints by phone on 1334 and online at complain.kwsc.gos.pk. Its steps are:
- Note the street, nearest landmark and town.
- Take a clear daylight photo that shows where the hole is.
- Open the site and choose to add a complaint.
- Enter your name, phone number, town, union council or mohalla, and landmark.
- Choose “Sewerage complains,” then “Open manhole.”
- Write a short description of up to 350 characters, attach the photo and submit.
- Save your complaint number. You can track it on the site with your mobile number.
Choose the town where the manhole is, not where you live. KWSC’s head office number is 021 111 597 200. If the hole stays open, Pakera says to call 1334 with your complaint number, then file on the Pakistan Citizen Portal. KWSC publishes no response deadline. Pakera’s author did not file a test complaint.
Everywhere Else: Pakistan Citizen Portal and Local Bodies
MarkSafe says the Pakistan Citizen Portal app is on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, and you need a valid CNIC to register. It warns that response times can vary a lot. For other cities, check your local council’s website or helpline. I did not find helpline numbers for Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar or other cities.
MarkSafe also runs a map at marksafe.net/map where you can pin hazards without an account. It is a private site, so it does not repair roads. Use it as a record, not as the only report.
What to Include in Your Report
MarkSafe suggests:
- An accurate GPS pin, zoomed in as close as you can.
- The type of hazard, such as pothole, open manhole, exposed wires, flooding or a broken road.
- An honest severity rating.
- A clear photo or video taken from a safe distance in good light.
Add the road name, the nearest landmark, the date and time, and which lane is affected. This extra detail is general advice.
Follow Up
- Save every complaint number and screenshot.
- If nothing is done, call again with your complaint number, then file on the Pakistan Citizen Portal, as Pakera advises for Karachi manholes.
- Tell neighbours and local shopkeepers about a dangerous spot while you wait. This tip is general advice.
What I Could Not Confirm
- Which agency handles provincial roads and who to call for them.
- Helplines for Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar and other cities.
- That the KMC number 1339 still works. The report is from August 2025.
- The routes inside the Pakistan Citizen Portal. I did not open it.
- How fast any agency responds.
NHMP’s page and Pakera’s guide are the only official-style sources here. This is general information, not an official notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who do I call about a hazard on a motorway?
The National Highways and Motorway Police on 130.
Who handles an open manhole in Karachi?
KWSC, on 1334 or at complain.kwsc.gos.pk, according to Pakera.
Who handles bad roads in Karachi?
KMC, helpline 1339, according to Aaj News (August 2025).
What if I do not know who owns the road?
Report it on the Pakistan Citizen Portal, which routes complaints to federal and provincial departments, according to MarkSafe.
Should I fix the hazard myself?
No. Do not move manhole lids or step into the road.
What should my report include?
A GPS pin or landmark, the type of hazard and a clear photo.
Report the hazard from a safe spot, save your complaint number and follow up if it is not fixed.
