By The long-awaited Hyderabad–Sukkur Motorway (M-6) project is finally set to take off, with construction on all five sections commencing simultaneously within the current fiscal year. This announcement was made by National Highways Authority (NHA) Chairman Muhammad Shehryar Sultan during a recent briefing to the Senate Standing Committee on Communications.
Although Rs15 billion has been allocated in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for the M-6, these funds are intended strictly for project supervision and oversight, rather than actual physical construction. Sultan added that discussions with multilateral agencies and investors are nearing conclusion, and on-ground work is expected to begin by March or April 2026.
Project Scope and Cost
The M-6 Motorway spans 306 kilometers and has a revised project cost of Rs363.70 billion, with a construction timeline of 30 months. This key segment of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will significantly enhance north-south connectivity, facilitating economic growth in interior Sindh and beyond.
Funding Breakdown by Section
- Sections 1 & 2: Developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) serving as transaction advisor.
- Viability Gap Funding (VGF) is expected from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
- Section 3: Likely to be financed by the OPEC Fund and the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD).
- Sections 4 & 5: The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has pledged a substantial contribution of $475 million.
Sehwan Bypass Consideration
In parallel discussions, the committee also reviewed the Sehwan Bypass under the CAREC Tranche-1 project. Due to the imminent closure of ADB funding, the bypass cannot be included in the current tranche. A separate PC-I has been proposed for potential inclusion in the upcoming PSDP.
National Impact
Once completed, the M-6 will close a major connectivity gap on the Karachi–Peshawar Motorway (KPM) corridor, reducing travel time, boosting trade, and fostering regional integration under CPEC Phase-II.
