Senate Panel Demands Govt to Prioritize Sukkur-Karachi Motorway
The Senate Planning Committee, chaired by Senator Qurratulain Marri, strongly criticized the lack of motorway development in Sindh during its meeting, with senators demanding a significant overhaul of the National Highway Authority (NHA).
Senators called for the closure of the NHA and the transfer of responsibility for motorways and highways to the provinces.
Committee Chairperson Senator Marri asserted that provinces should be empowered to build motorways and highways based on their specific needs.
Senator Marri alleged that the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) prioritizes road projects in Punjab over other regions, specifically mentioning the approval of a new motorway while neglecting others.
The committee expressed concern that the Sukkur- Hyderabad Motorway project has been repeatedly overlooked in favor of projects like the Lahore-Sahiwal-Bahawalnagar Motorway. Senator Shahadat Awan pointed out the progress of motorway construction up to Cheechon Ki Malian in Punjab, while Sindh has seen no progress.
Senator Jam Saifullah Khan questioned the prioritization of the Bahawalnagar motorway, suggesting it benefits an “elite class”. He disputed the claim of the M-9 being a motorway, stating it is merely a “super highway”.
Senator Afnanullah Khan highlighted that all motorways are connected to Islamabad, while Quetta remains excluded from the network. He mentioned Azerbaijan’s interest in investing $2 billion in Pakistan. A member of NHA Planning revealed that a new feasibility study has been conducted for the Hyderabad-Karachi M-9 Motorway.
The committee chairperson directed the Ministry of Planning to formally communicate the need to differentiate between the existing “super highway” and the proposed M-9. Senator Marri recalled that previously planned Chinese motorway projects did not materialize due to security concerns, urging that the same should not happen with potential Azerbaijani investment.
The NHA member assured the committee that the PC-1 for the M-9 would be prepared and submitted within 15 days. Minister of State for Planning Armaghan Subhani stated that the Sukkur-Karachi Motorway is a government priority, citing load management as a factor in motorway construction. Senator Faisal Sabzwari clarified that the project is the Sukkur-Karachi, not Sukkur-Hyderabad, motorway.
An NHA member stated that the Prime Minister holds special weekly meetings on five motorways, raising questions from the chairperson about the prioritization of smaller projects like the Lahore-Sahiwal-Bahawalnagar Motorway over more crucial ones like the Sukkur-Karachi Motorway, which has less traffic than the Karachi Port City route.
Senator Jam Saifullah Khan made a controversial remark about a former Deputy Commissioner who allegedly fled with funds and is reportedly now in Azerbaijan, with the chairperson sarcastically suggesting that these funds might be returning as Azerbaijani investment.
Senator Marri emphasized that the Sukkur-Karachi Motorway is a project of national importance, not just for Sindh. Senator Sabzwari criticized all previous governments for failing to construct the Sukkur-Karachi Motorway despite available funds.
While Senator Afnanullah Khan proposed a formal request to the government to prioritize the Sukkur-Karachi Motorway, the chairperson stated that the committee would not make such a request, asserting its independent status. However, she confirmed that the committee has already recommended the Sukkur-Karachi Motorway as the top priority and that no new motorway projects should commence before the M-9 and M-6 are initiated.
Minister of State Armaghan Subhani reiterated the government’s commitment to prioritizing the Sukkur-Karachi Motorway. The committee was informed that a briefing on funding from Azerbaijan and the Islamic Bank for motorway projects will be held on April 21st.