Motorway M-6 work to begin in November, says Aleem Khan

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister of Communication Abdul Aleem Khan has announced in a tweet on Sunday that the work on the Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway (M-6) is scheduled to commence in November 2026.

He was responding to a statement of the PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto who in a recent statement criticized the federal government over the delay in Hyderabad-Sukkur motorway, saying it had disappointed Sindh on the project.

Abdul Aleem Khan said the work on the motorway pending for last 30 years will about to begin. “The M-6 motorway will speed up the trade activities in Sindh and Pakistan”. “It will play pivotal role in boosting economic development and regional links,” minister said.

“President Asif Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto will be especially invited in the foundation laying ceremony of the project,” Aleem Khan said.

“Chief Minister of Sindh and provincial cabinet members will also be invited,” he added.

The National Highway Authority (NHA) recently informed the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Economic Affairs Division that work on the Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway (M-6) is scheduled to commence in November 2026.

According to a briefing given by NHA Member Planning and Design Dr Shafique, the 306-kilometre M-6 project has been divided into five sections with an estimated cost of Rs359 billion. Section-I, from Hyderabad to Tando Adam, is 57km long and estimated to cost Rs81 billion, while Section-II, from Tando Adam to Nawabshah, spans 63km at a cost of Rs70 billion. Both sections are planned under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode. Section-III from Nawabshah to Naushehro Feroz is 65km and costs Rs69 billion, Section-IV from Naushehro Feroz to Ranipur is 61km at Rs68 billion, while Section-V from Ranipur to Sukkur is 60km and costs Rs71 billion.

He informed that financing arrangements for the project have also substantially progressed. The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has signed a $475 million loan agreement for Sections-IV and V, while the OPEC Fund Board has approved $230 million for Section-III.

“The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed an agreement to provide transaction advisory services for Sections-I and II, which are planned under the PPP model. The revised PC-I, amounting to Rs364 billion, has been approved by ECNEC, while land acquisition for the main corridor has also been completed”, he added.

The briefing further stated that tendering for Sections-I and II under the PPP model is planned for November 6, 2026. Bids are expected to be received by December 30, 2026, while award of the concession is targeted for February 4, 2027.