They pollute the roads and chug along at a snail’s pace. But to there Pakistani owners these rickety trucks are mobile works of art, commanding attention with garish portraits of flowers, Islamic iconography, and snowcapped Himalayan peaks.

South Asian “truck art” has become a global phenomenon, inspiring gallery exhibitions abroad and prompting stores in posh London neighbourhoods to sell flamboyant miniature pieces. Yet closer to home some people sneer and refuse to call it “art”.

For the drivers, the designs that turn decades-old vehicles into moving murals are often about local pride. Picking the right colour or animal portrait is tougher than the countless hours spent on the road.

Truck driver Haji Ali Bahadur, who hails from the tribal belt bordering Afghanistan, said green and yellow have been his colours of choice during 40 years behind the wheel.

Pakistan keeps truckin' on Show all 10 1 /10 Pakistan keeps truckin' on Pakistan keeps truckin' on Garland: possibly the most fabulous gear stick in the history of motoring, in a truck in Faisalabad, Pakistan Reuters Pakistan keeps truckin' on Eyes on the road: a blue-eyed beaut stares out Reuters Pakistan keeps truckin' on Where to look? This left-hand-drive ‘long vehicle’ distracts from its core message Reuters Pakistan keeps truckin' on Even the inside is pretty: washing down a truck in Peshawar Reuters Pakistan keeps truckin' on Devotion: this truck pays homage to Islam Reuters Pakistan keeps truckin' on Pitstop: drivers rest near their vehicles in Faisalabad Reuters Pakistan keeps truckin' on Air con: a fan is flanked by speakers inside a driver’s cab Reuters Pakistan keeps truckin' on Glorious: truck art is said to have been started in the 1940s by Sikh drivers Reuters Pakistan keeps truckin' on Time for reflection: a homage to Islam’s holy sites Reuters Pakistan keeps truckin' on Practical: while the trucks often nod to religion and even politics, they make great plastic-bottle holders Reuters

“We, the drivers of Khyber, Mohmand and other tribal regions like flowers on the edge of the vehicles,” he said. “The people of Swat, South Waziristan and Kashmir region like portraits of mountains and different wild animals.”

Truck art has become one of Pakistan's best known cultural exports and offshoot toy and furniture industries have been spawned closer to home.

With Pakistan’s economy picking up speed and new roads opening up trade routes to China, truck art may soon find new admirers abroad.