Islamabad, September 29, 2026: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Special Initiatives has expressed serious concern over delays in the Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway (M-6) project and sought a detailed briefing from the National Highway Authority (NHA) and the relevant ministry on the stalled scheme.
The concerns were raised during the 18th meeting of the committee, chaired by Syed Abdul Qadir Gillani, MNA, at Parliament House on Tuesday. The committee reviewed progress on M-6, selected PSDP projects, the ML-1 Upgradation Project and infrastructure schemes in Karachi, besides examining implementation of its earlier recommendations.
Officials briefed the committee that the M-6 project comprises five sections and its implementation had been affected by recent litigation. Groundbreaking for the project would commence from the Sukkur side, while approvals for the Hyderabad section under the public-private partnership (PPP) mode were still awaited.
Members expressed concern over repeated delays and sought clarity on the project’s implementation timeline. The committee decided to call the NHA chairman and the relevant minister to a subsequent meeting for a detailed briefing on the project.
The committee also reviewed progress on NHA projects in Sindh under the current Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), particularly schemes for rehabilitation and improvement of the National Highway N-5.
Officials said work on the Moro-Ranipur section under the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of N-5 project, financed through the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded Flood Emergency Loan, was in progress and targeted for completion by June 2027.
However, the Hala-Moro section under the Sectional Rehabilitation of N-5 project, being undertaken with Chinese grant assistance, had yet to commence. Similarly, work on the Ranipur-Sukkur section under the Widening and Improvement of Priority Sections of N-5 (Phase-I), financed by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), had not started, with land procurement still in progress.
Committee members raised concerns over the condition and quality of road infrastructure and sought greater clarity on the information presented by the relevant authorities.
The committee deferred further consideration and directed officials to provide a section-wise briefing supported by photographs to enable a detailed assessment of the projects. It also called for provincial representatives of the concerned ministries to participate in future briefings where matters falling within their jurisdictions are discussed.
The committee also examined toll charges on the Lyari Expressway, with members noting that the facility primarily serves commuters within Karachi.
Members raised concerns over the impact of increased toll charges on daily users and also discussed road safety issues. The committee sought clarification on the basis for the toll and considered measures to reduce the financial burden on commuters.
An update was also sought on the Dera Murad Jamali Bypass on N-25 and the Mian Channu-Kamalia Road. Members noted that the latter was not included in the current PSDP and sought region-wise details of development allocations to assess the distribution of resources.
The committee took up the issue of Treatment Plant-5 (TP-5) under the Greater Karachi Sewerage Project (S-3).
Officials informed the committee that approximately 64 acres of land were covered by sanads issued by the Government of Sindh to various persons, creating an issue that requires resolution. A high-level meeting with the Sindh government had already been proposed to address the matter.
The committee recommended that Karachi Port Trust (KPT) provide written findings of its consultant regarding the justification and requirement for the substantial land area proposed for TP-5.
It further recommended reviewing and reassessing the project in light of current requirements and technological developments, noting that the scheme had been conceived some time ago.
The committee also discussed the ML-1 Upgradation Project, with the Railways Division briefing members on the scheme and its proposed financing arrangements.
Officials informed the committee that financing was expected from the Asian Development Bank. Members were briefed on the strategic importance of the project and sought further details regarding its implementation timeline and expected groundbreaking.
The meeting was attended by committee members Naz Baloch, Farhan Chishti and, through video link, Ahmad Raza Maneka and Izbal Zehri.
