Work on M-6 to start in September, federal minister assures CM

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Federal Minister for Communications Aleem Khan held an extensive meeting on Monday, along with their respective teams, to address outstanding issues.

The issues included constructing the M-6 Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway, opening the Lyari Expressway for heavy traffic, identifying engineering solutions for traffic problems at Sohrab Goth, completing the Jamshoro-Sehwan road, and, additionally, constructing a new motorway named M-10 to take port traffic directly to Hyderabad.

Shah emphasised the importance of completing M-6, terming it essential for maintaining the continuity of the motorway network from Karachi to Peshawar and Lahore. “Without connecting the Karachi Port to the rest of the country through a motorway, the purpose of this entire network remains unfulfilled.”

He expressed disappointment over delays in the M-6 project, despite its approval under the prime minister’s directives. Khan acknowledged the necessity of integrating the motorway with the Karachi Port.

He asserted that the entire route must ensure end-to-end connectivity. He said the M-6 project has been divided into five sections, with funding for three sections secured, and work on the remaining sections under way.

He also said the project is being financed by the federal government and commercial banks, and some sections with public-private partnership. Shah raised concerns about potential delays in M-6 due to public-private partnership complications. He offered bridge financing of Rs40-50 billion from the Sindh government to expedite the project.

“We want immediate commencement of work on M-6,” he insisted. Khan assured him that work would start in September. They both agreed to engage their respective teams to assess if there is any need for bridge financing to fast-track M-6.

Shah noted that the Jamshoro-Sehwan road, a 66km industrial highway, has not been completed by the National Highway Authority (NHA) despite the payment of Rs7 billion in 2017. Khan said that the 66km Sehwan to Manjhad section has been completed, while work on the 24km stretch from Manjhad to Khanot has commenced.

He commented in a lighter vein that he had brought photographs of the work being carried out. Shah responded that he trusts him, and urged for the project’s early completion. Khan assured him that work had already begun.

Shah remarked that the Lyari Expressway was intended to connect port traffic to the motorway, which has not been realised because the NHA has categorised it as a track for light traffic.

NHA representatives said that a third-party audit had declared the expressway unsuitable for heavy traffic, but they suggested allowing heavy traffic during non-peak hours. Responding to Shah’s suggestion, the NHA agreed to improve interchanges.

Shah highlighted the traffic bottleneck at Sohrab Goth, where local and port traffic from the Lyari Expressway converge. He proposed constructing a dedicated service road to separate city traffic from the traffic coming from the expressway. The meeting decided to implement an engineering solution to resolve traffic congestion at Sohrab Goth. The meeting also reviewed the proposed M-10 motorway project. The planned route will connect the ICI Bridge, the KPT, Gulbai and Hub Chowki directly to Hyderabad.

It was decided that full planning for M-10 would be carried out to ensure its execution. The motorway is expected to divert heavy and port traffic directly to Hyderabad, alleviating congestion within Karachi.

Aleem’s media talk

Later, talking to the media in Karachi, the federal minister announced that two motorways -- M-6 and M-10 -- will be launched simultaneously.“The M-6 is Pakistan’s lifeline which was unfortunately neglected by previous governments,” he said.

The federal minister emphasized that this motorway would be incomplete in its utility without being connected to the seaport and that both the M-6 and M-10 would be linked to the Karachi port to ensure full functionality.

Highlighting the significance of the M-6 project, he shared that it is a nearly Rs400 billion initiative comprising five sections, each approximately 60 kilometers long. “There is no better opportunity for investment than this project,” he pointed out. Khan said that financing has already been secured for two sections while discussions for the remaining three are ongoing. “Insha’Allah, we will finalize the feasibility report and present it to the prime minister within the next 15 days,” he added.

He further stated that the motorways from Karachi to Hyderabad and from Hyderabad to Sukkur will be completed as early as possible, while working on the N-25 Highway from Karachi to Quetta is also scheduled to begin later this year.

“Karachi’s challenges are not just provincial—they are national issues and we will address them on a priority basis,” he emphasized.

Replying to the questions, Khan stressed that his focus is on delivering progress rather than engaging in blame games. “My effort is to prioritize the launch of motorway projects in Sindh. Similarly, we are committed to completing the Kaghan-Naran Motorway,” he said.

The federal minister also shared that the National Highway Authority has recorded unprecedented growth in revenue over the current fiscal year attaining the target from Rs64 billion to Rs110 billion, saying that this additional income will be utilized into improving road infrastructure and constructing new motorways.

To ensure road safety, he stated that strict measures are being implemented against dangerous driving on motorways. “Drivers exceeding 150km/h are not only being fined but also facing FIRs,” he said and added that mandatory use of m-tags is helping reduce long queues, and staff shortages in motorway police are being addressed.

Regarding his visit to Karachi, Khan mentioned that he, along with the federal secretary communications and chairman of the NHA, held a meeting with the Sindh chief minister and assured him of full support from his ministry.

He also held a productive meeting with the business community led by Arif Habib, where investors expressed interest in participating in the development of Sindh’s motorways and road networks.

Additionally, he noted that a joint team was being formed to focus on additional options for the Lyari Expressway, including improvements to interchanges and exploration of further development projects.