Hyderabad-Sukkar Motorway: Transforming Pakistan’s Connectivity in 2025
Introduction
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| Sukkur Motorway Update |
The Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway (M-6) is a pivotal infrastructure project aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s transportation network. This 306-kilometer, six-lane motorway will connect Hyderabad to Sukkur in Sindh province, completing a critical segment of the Peshawar-Karachi Motorway network. By linking Karachi Port to northern Pakistan, the M-6 is expected to enhance trade, reduce transportation costs, and foster economic growth. With renewed federal commitment and international funding prospects, the project is set to commence in 2025, promising significant benefits despite past delays and political challenges.
Current Developments
On June 15, 2025, Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan announced that construction of the Hyderabad-Sukkar Motorway (HSM) will begin this year. The project has been strategically divided into five segments to ensure efficient construction and management. The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) has expressed willingness to finance three of these segments, with a final loan approval decision expected in September 2025 following its board meeting (Dawn). The federal government aims to complete the entire route, including related infrastructure, within two to three years, aligning with broader efforts to enhance connectivity from Karachi to Sukkur.
The National Highway Authority (NHA), responsible for the project’s execution, is actively coordinating with federal and provincial stakeholders. The minister highlighted the importance of connecting Karachi Port to the national motorway network, noting that without this link, the motorway’s utility for import, export, and business activities would be limited. Additionally, the government is exploring funding for the remaining two segments through other banks or donor agencies, with a high-level committee formed to finalize these arrangements by mid-August 2025 (The Nation).
Historical Context
The M-6 project has faced significant challenges since its inception. Initially approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on July 16, 2020, at a cost of Rs165.679 billion, the project’s cost has escalated dramatically due to delays and the depreciation of the Pakistani rupee. The cost trajectory is as follows:
Date Cost (PKR Billion) Details
- July 16, 2020 165.679 Original PC-I approved by ECNEC
- May 26, 2021 191.471 First Revised PC-I approved by ECNEC
- July 06, 2022 308.194 Second Revised PC-I approved by ECNEC, without Foreign Exchange Component
- June 2025 364 CDWP approved at rationalized cost based on CSR rates
The cost escalation of 120% to Rs364 billion has been attributed to delays and currency depreciation (The Nation). A previous public-private partnership (PPP) agreement signed in December 2022 with M/s TECMC Private Limited was terminated due to unspecified reasons, further delaying progress. Earlier attempts, including a contract awarded to China State Construction Engineering in 2017, also faced setbacks, with groundwork initially planned for August 2017 but not commencing as scheduled.
Political Dynamics
The M-6 project has been a focal point of political discourse. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has voiced concerns over funding disparities, noting that only 4.34% of the NHA’s budget is allocated to Sindh’s six projects, compared to 38.65% for Punjab’s 33 projects, 17.59% for Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s 30 projects, and 23.87% for Balochistan’s 22 projects (Pakistan Today). In a letter to the Prime Minister, Shah urged immediate action to prioritize the M-6, emphasizing its national importance.
In response, Minister Khan acknowledged the Sindh CM’s concerns but limited his accountability to the past year, avoiding commentary on previous governments’ inaction (Dawn). Despite these tensions, both governments are collaborating, with the federal government open to requesting a Rs25 billion contribution from Sindh if needed. A meeting on October 25, 2024, at the CM House in Karachi saw both parties agree to extend the M-6 route from Karachi to Sukkur via Hyderabad, enhancing its scope to better serve port traffic (Business Recorder).
Related Infrastructure Projects
The M-6 is part of a broader infrastructure push in Sindh. A new 150-km Karachi-Hyderabad motorway is under consideration to address the limitations of the existing M-9 motorway, which is insufficient for growing traffic demands. The Sindh High Court has directed the NHA to complete a feasibility study for this new motorway within three months, with collaboration from Pakistani and Chinese consultants, suggesting potential ties to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) (Global Highways).
Additionally, the Karachi Northern Bypass (M-10), currently a two-lane, 57-km motorway, will be upgraded to an eight-lane highway and linked with the M-6 to ensure seamless connectivity from Karachi Port to Sukkur. The NHA is also upgrading the Lyari Expressway to international standards, with Minister Khan describing it as a “gift” to Karachi’s residents upon completion (Dawn).
Economic Impact
The M-6 and related projects are expected to transform Pakistan’s economic landscape. By providing a direct, high-speed route from Karachi Port to the national motorway network, the M-6 will reduce transportation costs and time, facilitating smoother movement of goods. This connectivity is vital for boosting import and export activities, attracting investments, and promoting economic growth in Sindh and beyond. The project’s integration with the Karachi-Hyderabad section and the Northern Bypass will further enhance its impact, creating a robust transport corridor.
Technical Specifications
The Hyderabad-Sukkar Motorway is designed to meet international standards, featuring:
- Length: 306 kilometers
- Lanes: Six lanes (three in each direction)
- Design Speed: 120 km/h
- Infrastructure: 89 bridges, 15 interchanges, 243 underpasses
These specifications ensure safe and efficient travel, accommodating high volumes of commercial and passenger traffic.
Budget and Funding
The NHA’s current fiscal year budget is Rs161 billion, significantly less than its requested Rs600 billion, highlighting financial constraints (Dawn). The M-6’s approved cost of Rs364 billion will be funded through a combination of sources, with the IDB committed to financing Sections IV and V and negotiations advanced for Section III. Sections I and II require innovative financing, with a target to finalize arrangements by mid-August 2025 for a three-year completion timeline. The federal government’s willingness to leverage its own resources and potential contributions from the Sindh government underscores the project’s priority.
The Hyderabad-Sukkar Motorway represents a transformative step for Pakistan’s infrastructure and economic development. Despite past delays and political challenges, the federal government’s commitment, coupled with potential IDB funding and provincial cooperation, offers hope for timely completion. By enhancing connectivity from Karachi Port to northern Pakistan, the M-6 will drive trade, reduce logistics costs, and foster economic growth, positioning Sindh as a key hub in the national transportation network.
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