ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan on Wednesday welcomed the signing of a landmark agreement between the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the National Highway Authority (NHA) for the construction of the M6 Motorway, linking Karachi with Sukkur.
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In an official statement, the minister described the project as a long-awaited breakthrough, calling it the “missing economic link” in Pakistan’s North-South transport corridor. He said the motorway would play a pivotal role in strengthening the country’s infrastructure, boosting trade, and supporting long-term economic growth.
Spanning approximately 306 kilometres, the six-lane motorway will connect Karachi’s ports with northern regions, enabling uninterrupted travel through a modern motorway network extending up to Peshawar and Gilgit. The project will feature advanced tolling systems, 15 interchanges, and 10 service areas to facilitate both passenger and commercial traffic.
Abdul Aleem Khan noted that the initiative, which had remained stalled for over three decades, was revived and advanced within two years through coordinated efforts. He added that sections of the project, particularly from Hyderabad to Nawabshah, would be developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to attract private investment and ensure transparency.
Funding support has also been secured from international partners, including the Islamic Development Bank and the OPEC Fund, for other sections of the motorway. The government aims to complete the entire M6 project within the next two years.
The minister emphasised that the motorway would serve as a backbone for Pakistan’s logistics network, significantly improving regional connectivity and unlocking new economic opportunities.
