$475 Million Approved for Motorway Project
The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has approved a $475 million financing package for the M-6 Sukkur-Hyderabad motorway, a long-delayed project expected to strengthen Pakistan’s transport infrastructure and complete a critical section of the north-south corridor.
According to a news report, the approval came during a meeting of the IsDB’s Board of Executive Directors on Tuesday. The 306-kilometre six-lane motorway, designed for speeds up to 120 km/h, will feature 89 bridges, 15 interchanges, and 243 underpasses.
Construction is scheduled to begin in April 2026, while the Sindh government has already launched the land acquisition process. Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has directed officials to accelerate the transfer of both public and private land, which has previously been held up by litigation.
In parallel, the M-10 motorway is being upgraded and extended to link with the M-6 at Jamshoro. This will provide a high-capacity route for traffic from Karachi Port.
The project, originally estimated at $617 million in 2018, has since faced multiple delays and cost escalations. Its current cost is projected at $1.7 billion. Additional funding is being sought from institutions including the Saudi Fund for Development and the Asian Development Bank.