By Muhammad Faisal Kaleem
The National Highway Authority (NHA) has completed all procedural formalities and is set to invite tenders for the long-delayed M-6 Sukkur–Hyderabad Motorway project within a month. The M6 Sukkur Hyderabad Motorway Project marks a crucial milestone in Pakistan’s north–south connectivity network.
NHA Finalizes Funding and Formalities for Motorway Launch
NHA Member (Aided Projects) Ashfaq Ahmad Khan confirmed to Wealth Pakistan that donor institutions had concluded their respective board meetings in September and October, during which they approved pre-committed funding for the project.
He added that the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) was the final financier to give the green light. “The NHA received confirmation of around $450 million in funding from the IsDB a few weeks ago,” he said.
According to Ahmad, physical work on the motorway will begin soon after the completion of the tendering process. “Both the NHA’s senior management and Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan are committed to ensuring the timely commencement of this vital infrastructure project,” he added.
Breakdown of the M6 Motorway Sections
The 306-kilometre, six-lane M-6 Motorway has been divided into five sections:
- Section I: Hyderabad–Tando Adam
- Section II: Tando Adam–Nawabshah
- Section III: Naushero Feroz–Ranipur
- Section IV: Ranipur–Sukkur
- Section V: Sukkur–Hyderabad
The first two sections will be developed under the public-private partnership (PPP) model if alternative financing is not secured. The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) will fund Section III, while Sections IV and V will be financed by the IsDB.
Termination of Previous Concession Agreement
It may be recalled that the NHA had terminated the concession agreement with M/s Techno-CMC (TECMC) Private Limited last year after the firm failed to achieve financial close despite repeated deadline extensions.
NHA and TECMC had signed the PPP agreement in December 2022 to build the motorway on a build-operate-transfer (BOT) basis at an estimated cost of Rs307 billion, following approval from the Public Private Partnership Authority (P3A) board.
Rising Costs and Economic Impact of the M6 Project
The current estimated cost of the M-6 project now stands at $1.7 billion, reflecting a sharp increase from $617 million in 2018 and $1.1 billion in 2022, mainly due to delays and financing hurdles.
Once completed, the M-6 will bridge the final missing link in the Karachi–Peshawar Motorway, creating a seamless north–south economic corridor. The project is expected to boost regional trade, enhance connectivity, and facilitate faster movement of goods and people across the country.
Future Connectivity and Traffic Projections
According to NHA projections, the M-6 is expected to attract 46,000 vehicles daily, including 34,695 diverted from National Highway N-5 and 11,538 from N-55.
In a related development, the M-10 Motorway (Karachi Northern Bypass) is also being upgraded and extended to connect directly with the M-6 at Jamshoro.
This link will provide a high-capacity route for commercial and passenger traffic from Karachi Port to the M-6, strengthening the southern gateway of Pakistan’s motorway network.
Author Profile
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Muhammad Faisal is a journalist based in Islamabad who covers business, railway, and commerce sectors of Pakistan.
His reporting focuses on infrastructure, economic policy, and how national developments impact everyday life.
