Construction of Karachi-Sukkur Motorway to Begin This Year

The long-anticipated Karachi-Sukkur Motorway (M6) project is finally moving forward, with construction expected to commence this year. The federal government has also hinted at inviting the Sindh government to collaborate on this significant infrastructure initiative, which will link Karachi Port to the Sukkur Motorway, enhancing connectivity and boosting commercial activity in the region.

During a departmental meeting on Wednesday, Communications and Privatisation Minister Abdul Aleem Khan instructed officials to expedite preparations for the project. He emphasized that the motorway will play a critical role in transforming the transportation of goods and promoting economic growth.

The federal government will pursue the project under a public-private partnership model. However, Minister Aleem assured that if private investment does not materialize, the federal government is prepared to finance the entire project. Discussions on this collaboration have already taken place between Minister Aleem and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, with the Sindh government expressing interest in the proposal.

In the event private-sector partnerships are not secured, both governments have agreed to consider forming a consortium to ensure the project’s completion.

Revised plans for the motorway outline that the M6 will start from Karachi Port and connect to Sukkur via Hyderabad, deviating from the earlier proposal of a Hyderabad-Sukkur alignment. This strategic shift aims to better integrate Karachi’s commercial hub with the rest of the country.

Minister Aleem highlighted that the Karachi-Sukkur Motorway is not just a critical infrastructure project but also a significant economic opportunity. Over the next 25 years, the motorway is projected to generate a revenue of Rs. 3 trillion, making it a major contributor to national development.