Islamabad: A joint meeting of the Senate Standing Committees on Communication and Planning, Development and Special Initiatives urged the government to allocate priority funding for the Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway (M-6) and critical road infrastructure projects in Balochistan. The committees emphasized the strategic importance of these projects and called for their expedited implementation to enhance national connectivity.
According to Senate of Pakistan, the meeting was chaired by Senators Pervaiz Rashid and Qurat-Ul-Ain Marri and attended by several committee members. The focus was on reviewing the progress of the M-6 project, recognized as a crucial missing link in Pakistan’s motorway network. Although Rs. 20 billion has been proposed under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2026-27, the project’s total funding requirement is Rs. 70 billion, with final allocations pending further deliberations.
Committee members expressed concerns over the slow progress and funding shortfalls, noting that the 306-kilometre M-6 segment is the only incomplete portion of the 1,522-kilometre Peshawar-Karachi motorway corridor. The Chairman of the National Highway Authority informed that the project is divided into five segments under a Public-Private Partnership model, with land acquisition completed.
The committees also addressed the condition of road infrastructure in Balochistan, prioritizing projects like the Quetta-Dera Ismail Khan, Gwadar-Karachi, and N-25 corridors due to their strategic and economic importance. Discussions on financing with international partners, including the Islamic Development Bank and OPEC Fund, are ongoing.
Members highlighted the issue of insufficient annual allocations leading to prolonged project timelines. Recommendations were made to ensure the full Rs. 70 billion allocation for M-6 and prioritize the N-8 highway project. The committees concluded by directing the timely commencement of the M-6 segments and ensuring financial resources for ongoing projects before starting new ones.