The National Highway Authority (NHA) has prequalified eight construction firms and joint ventures for two sections of the stalled Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway (M-6), marking progress towards the completion of the 306-kilometre motorway project.
The prequalification covers Section IV, from Naushahro Feroze to Ranipur, and Section V, from Ranipur to Sukkur. Financing for both sections has been committed by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).
Eight Firms Clear Prequalification Stage
The NHA launched the prequalification process in December 2025. A total of 16 firms and joint ventures submitted applications for the two sections.
Following an evaluation by the NHA's Procurement and Contracts (P&CA) section, eight applicants were disqualified, while eight were cleared to proceed to the next stage.
The prequalified applicants include:
- SAJCO-ZKB (JV)
- China Construction Third Engineering Bureau Group Corporation Limited
- SGEG-Umer Jan (JV)
- China 20 Bureau Group Company Limited
- Onur Taahhut Tasimacilik Insaat Ticaret ve Sanayi
- Matracon-ZTZS (JV)
The available source material identifies six of the eight prequalified applicants.
Two M-6 Sections Under Consideration
Section IV, covering the Naushahro Feroze-Ranipur route, is approximately 60.90 kilometres long.
Section V, extending from Ranipur to Sukkur, covers around 59.88 kilometres.
The Islamic Development Bank has committed financing for both sections, supporting efforts to revive construction work on the long-delayed motorway.
M-6 to Strengthen Pakistan's Motorway Network
The 306-kilometre M-6 is being developed in five sections:
- Hyderabad-Tando Adam
- Tando Adam-Nawabshah
- Nawabshah-Naushahro Feroze
- Naushahro Feroze-Ranipur
- Ranipur-Sukkur
The motorway is intended to complete a major missing link in Pakistan's north-south motorway network. Once completed, it will provide uninterrupted motorway connectivity between Karachi and Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar through the existing M-5 motorway.
Financing Secured for Multiple Sections
International lenders are supporting several sections of the project. The Islamic Development Bank is financing Sections IV and V, while the OPEC Fund has committed financing for Section III.
The remaining two sections are planned to be developed under the public-private partnership (PPP) model.
Project Previously Halted
The M-6 project faced a major setback after the NHA terminated the contract of TECMC (Pvt) Ltd in December 2023.
The contract was cancelled after the contractor failed to achieve financial close despite being granted two extensions, leaving the project stalled.
The latest prequalification process represents a step towards restarting work on the delayed motorway. Subject to timely financing arrangements, contract awards and implementation, the Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway is expected to be completed around 2029.
