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The federal government has taken a major step toward completing Pakistan’s national motorway network by allocating Rs15 billion for the long-pending Sukkur–Hyderabad Motorway (M-6) in the FY 2025–26 federal budget. The project, often seen as the missing piece in the country’s north–south connectivity puzzle, is now back on track with renewed political and financial commitment.
Announced by Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan, the allocation will be used to kick-start construction within this fiscal year. The M-6 is viewed as a strategic national asset that promises to improve trade flow, reduce travel time, and promote regional integration, especially for Sindh.
Project Overview and Execution Plan
The M-6 motorway will span approximately 306 kilometers, linking Sukkur to Hyderabad and filling the last major gap in the Karachi–Peshawar Motorway (KPM) corridor. Once completed, it will ensure seamless six-lane motorway connectivity from Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi all the way to Peshawar in the north.
Segmented Construction Approach
Minister Abdul Aleem Khan stated that the project will be divided into five construction segments, enabling faster and more manageable execution. This approach is intended to:
- Improve contractor efficiency
- Avoid bottlenecks in construction timelines
- Minimize disruption to local communities
The segmented model also opens up the possibility for parallel construction activities, potentially reducing the overall project duration.
Islamic Development Bank Shows Interest in Financing
A key factor in ensuring the success of the M-6 project is financial backing. Minister Khan confirmed that the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) has shown a strong interest in financing the motorway’s development. A final decision on the loan package is expected in September 2025, pending approval during the IDB board’s meeting.
The involvement of IDB would provide:
- Soft financing options
- Credibility to the project internationally
- Opportunities for technical and advisory support
If secured, the IDB loan would relieve the burden on national finances and help expedite the procurement and construction processes.
Political Accountability and Policy Continuity
In response to recent comments by the Sindh Chief Minister, who criticized past delays in the M-6 and Karachi motorway projects, Abdul Aleem Khan clarified that he accepts responsibility only for developments in the past year.
Avoiding Blame Game
He deliberately avoided criticism of previous administrations, instead emphasizing the importance of looking forward. “This is not the time for blame,” he stated. “It is time for delivery.”
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This statement suggests a shift in approach, with the Ministry of Communications focusing on execution over rhetoric, a move welcomed by industry stakeholders and public policy analysts alike.
Karachi Port Connection: A National Priority
The minister also reiterated the strategic importance of linking Karachi Port to the national motorway system. Without direct, efficient access, Pakistan’s full potential in import and export trade remains untapped.
Currently, goods traveling from Karachi to the northern and central regions of Pakistan must endure longer travel times and higher transportation costs due to infrastructure gaps. The M-6 aims to address this by:
- Providing a high-speed logistics corridor
- Enhancing the competitiveness of Pakistani exports
- Reducing wear and tear on older highways and local roads
Aleem Khan emphasized that without this final segment, the vision of a truly integrated national logistics and trade system cannot be realized.
National Connectivity and CPEC Synergy
Experts view the M-6 not only as a domestic infrastructure priority but also as a key enabler of China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) connectivity. By completing the north–south backbone, the project will:
- Facilitate transit trade
- Improve inter-provincial mobility
- Attract foreign direct investment (FDI) in logistics and manufacturing
Several regional planning authorities and chambers of commerce have long advocated for completing M-6, citing its strategic, economic, and security benefits.
