Pakistan’s long-delayed M-6 Motorway Construction project is finally moving towards physical work. Construction is now expected to begin from the Sukkur side in November 2026.
The 306-kilometre Hyderabad-Sukkur motorway has faced years of delays. However, recent progress has brought the project closer to implementation.
The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Special Initiatives was recently informed that the project has been divided into five sections. According to officials, litigation affected the project. Meanwhile, approval for the Hyderabad-side section under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model is still pending.
M-6 Motorway Divided Into Five Sections
The motorway will cover around 306 kilometres between Hyderabad and Sukkur. It will be developed in five sections.
These sections are:
- Hyderabad-Tando Adam
- Tando Adam-Nawabshah
- Nawabshah-Naushahro Feroze
- Naushahro Feroze-Ranipur
- Ranipur-Sukkur
The first two sections are planned under the PPP model. Meanwhile, international financing institutions are supporting the remaining sections.
In addition, a recent PPRA tender confirms procurement activity for Section III. This section covers approximately 64.61 kilometres between Nawabshah and Naushahro Feroze.
The project has an estimated cost of around Rs359 billion. Once completed, the M-6 will connect the M-5 motorway at Sukkur with the motorway network towards Hyderabad and Karachi.
Why Has the M-6 Been Delayed?
The motorway has faced delays despite repeated announcements about its construction. In April 2026, Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan said the project had remained stalled for more than 30 years.
He also described the latest agreement between the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the National Highway Authority (NHA) as a major step forward.
However, several issues have affected the project. These include financing, procurement, litigation and PPP arrangements.
Earlier plans had set earlier construction targets. However, implementation repeatedly slipped. In September, parliamentary committees were still raising concerns about the delays. They also sought clearer timelines from the NHA and the communications ministry.
M-6 Construction Timeline
Officials have given different construction timelines during 2026. One parliamentary briefing indicated that work could begin by the end of October.
However, the latest National Assembly discussion indicated that groundbreaking would begin from the Sukkur side. At the same time, approval for the Hyderabad section remains pending.
The latest reported target is November 2026 for the start of construction from Sukkur. The parliamentary committee has also asked the NHA for a clear section-by-section timeline.
For Sindh and Pakistan’s wider transport network, the project is important. It is expected to improve north-south road connectivity and provide a faster motorway route between Karachi and the upper parts of the country.
One Response