Feasibility for Hyderabad–Karachi link of the M6 Motorway is underway

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National Highway Authority (NHA) recently updated the National Assembly Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Special Initiatives on the M6 Motorway (Sukkur–Hyderabad), a Rs 450 billion project divided into five sections. Feasibility for the Hyderabad–Karachi link is underway.

Aurangzeb Vows to Complete M6 Motorway ‘At All Costs’ Amid Economic Prioritization 

Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has again cited the strong dedication of the Gov to completing the Sukkur-Hyderabad-Karachi Motorway (M6), declaring it a top priority due to its significance for Pakistan’s economic connectivity and regional development. 

Aurangzeb assured lawmakers in the National Assembly that the M6 project would be completed “at all costs.” He highlighted that the motorway, once finalized, would appear to be a critical economic corridor linking northern and southern Pakistan and facilitating trade and mobility across provinces. “This is not just infrastructure — it’s an economic artery,” the minister stated. 

Aurangzeb also acknowledged that the federal budget is currently being finalized, and emphasized the need to inform the Ministry of Planning regarding the strategic importance to ensure appropriate budgetary allocations. He mentioned that the government is exploring a number of funding options, including foreign financing and allocations via the Public Sector Development Programme. 

Read more: Work on $2 billion Sukkur-Hyderabad, Karachi-Hyderabad Motorways to start this year

Mr Aurangzeb revealed the authorities are still exploring funding options for the M6 project, and while international financial institutions have shown an interest in financing the motorway, there is still nothing that seems to have been firmed up.

Concerns had been raised earlier about the exclusion of M6 from the PSDP for the fiscal year 2024-25. In response, State Minister for Planning and Development Chaudhry Armaghan Subhani clarified that although the project is not included in the current portfolio, it remains a high priority and will be given due importance in the PSDP 2025-26. 

Subhani shared that the Ministry of Communications has already suggested a Rs10 billion allocation for M6 in the next development cycle.  

Subhani also revealed about the amount may be adjusted depending on the progress of planning and negotiations. 

The government is highly involved in considering a public-private partnership model for addressing all the funding challenges, alongside discussions with international financial institutions. Armaghan unveiled that the Asian Development Bank has expressed a strong interest in co-financing the project, and negotiations are incessantly going on. 

The M6 motorway is anticipated to pose various benefits such as to

• Improve connectivity between Sindh’s major cities 

• Minimize travel time 

• Enhance regional commerce

Government officials have promised to keep the momentum going to guarantee the timely completion of this crucial infrastructure project.