The National Highway Authority (NHA) has confirmed that the M-6 Sukkur-Hyderabad motorway project will officially begin in April 2026. Land acquisition for the project is expected to start within a month. During a briefing to the National Assembly Standing Committee on Communications, NHA Chairman Sheharyar Sikandar said the Islamic Development Bank will fund the project and that formal land requests will soon be sent to the Sindh government.
The committee meeting, chaired by MNA Ijaz Jakhrani, focused on various ongoing and upcoming infrastructure projects across the country. Members reviewed the communications ministry’s responses to earlier recommendations and emphasized the importance of timely execution. However, displeasure was noted over the absence of the communications secretary, prompting the committee to issue a warning regarding repeated non-attendance.
There had previously been confusion about the M-6 project’s launch. Communications Minister Aleem Khan had mentioned a 2025 start, while Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal later said it would begin next year without giving an exact date. This new timeline provides clarity for stakeholders who were uncertain about the project’s progress.
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Motorway Police briefed the committee on current legal actions against motorists violating speed limits. Drivers who exceed 150 km/h on motorways now face strict legal consequences under the existing laws. This step aims to reduce accidents and ensure safer travel on national highways.
Concerns also surfaced over the bidding process for the Rs170 billion CAREC Tranche-III corridor project. All four contracts were awarded to a joint venture involving Chinese firm NXCC, which had been disqualified in 2023 for failing to complete an earlier project. The committee questioned the transparency of this decision.
In response to these concerns, the committee has decided to contact the Senate Standing Committee on Economic Affairs. They aim to review the findings of its sub-committee related to the bidding controversy. Further investigations may follow if irregularities are confirmed.