The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has approved a substantial $475 million financing package to advance the M-6 Sukkur-Hyderabad motorway project in Pakistan. This significant funding aims to strengthen the country's transportation infrastructure and improve a vital north-south link, according to recent reports.
Project Scope and Strategic Importance
The IsDB's Board of Executive Directors granted the approval on Tuesday for the 306-kilometer M-6 motorway, which will close a major gap in the route connecting Karachi to Peshawar. The overall project is currently estimated to cost $1.7 billion.
This six-lane motorway is engineered for high-speed travel, accommodating speeds up to 120 km/h. The design includes 89 bridges, 15 interchanges, and 243 underpasses. Strategically, the M-6 forms a component of the Eastern Alignment of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Connectivity and Construction Timeline
In a complementary development, the M-10 motorway (Karachi Northern Bypass) is being upgraded and extended to link directly with the M-6 at Jamshoro. This connection will establish a high-capacity artery for both commercial and passenger traffic originating from Karachi Port.
Physical construction of the M-6 is planned to start in April 2026. The Sindh government is already prioritizing the necessary land acquisition, with Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah instructing officials to accelerate the transfer of both state and private land. Past delays have been partly attributed to litigation issues.
Financing Challenges and Priorities
The project has contended with financing delays and rising costs, with the estimated price tag escalating significantly from $617 million in 2018 to its current figure of $1.7 billion. Securing the remaining funds is a high priority for the government for the fiscal year 2025-26. In addition to the IsDB, the government is currently engaged in discussions with other financial institutions, including the Saudi Fund for Development and the Asian Development Bank, to secure the necessary additional funding.
