Progress is finally underway on one of Pakistan’s most delayed and much-required infrastructure projects — the M-6 Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway.
The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has officially approved a $475 million financing package, giving fresh ray of hope to a project that has remained stuck for years due to funding gaps and legal complications.
The approval emerged during a recent meeting of the IsDB’s Board of Executive Directors. The 306-kilometre six-lane motorway is designed to support speeds of up to 120 km/h, massively reducing travel time between Sindh’s key cities.
The engineering plan is ambitious: 89 bridges, 15 interchanges, 243 underpasses — guaranteeing smooth traffic flow and safe access for nearby communities.
Construction Timeline and Land Acquisition
Construction is going to initiate in April 2026. In preparation, the Sindh government has started all the things to acquire land, although the process has to face a number of complications and challenges.
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has given all the instructions to the relevant authorities to speed up the transfer of both public and private properties, urging them to resolve pending litigation cases swiftly to prevent further delays.
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Once completed, the M-6 will fill the final missing link in the north-south motorway network, connecting Karachi to Peshawar through uninterrupted high-speed travel. To further enhance connectivity, the M-10 motorway in Karachi is also being upgraded and extended to join the M-6 at Jamshoro, enabling cargo from Karachi Port to move more efficiently across the country.
Rising Costs, Renewed Hope
The motorway was initially estimated at $617 million in 2018, but repeated delays and inflation have pushed the expected cost to almost $1.7 billion. With the IsDB now on board, the government is actively securing additional financing from the Saudi Fund for Development and the Asian Development Bank.
While challenges remain, the latest funding approval has reignited optimism. If executed on schedule, the M-6 will not only boost trade and logistics but also create jobs and stimulate local economies across Sindh — turning a long-promised dream into reality.