A major breakthrough has finally been made in one of Pakistan’s most delayed infrastructure projects. The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has approved $475 million in financing for the M-6 Sukkur–Hyderabad motorway — the only missing link in the north–south road network from Karachi to Peshawar.
The decision was made by the bank’s Board of Executive Directors during a meeting at its Jeddah headquarters. The approval is being considered as a big boost for the transport sector of Pakistan and a sign of renewed international confidence in the project.
Read More: Sukkur-Hyderabad motorway to cost 2 billion dollars
Stretching 306 kilometers, the M-6 will be a six-lane, high-speed motorway designed for vehicles traveling up to 120 km/h. Once completed, it will be going to connect with the wider China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) through its alignment along the eastern route.
The motorway will include 89 bridges, 15 interchanges and an impressive 243 underpasses — making it both technically complex and strategically important.
Construction is scheduled to begin in April next year. In anticipation, the Sindh government has already set the land acquisition process in motion. Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has instructed authorities to fast-track the transfer of both private and government-owned land, as past efforts stalled due to legal disputes.
Work is also underway to connect Karachi more efficiently with the new motorway. The M-10 (Northern Bypass) is being upgraded and extended so that traffic from Karachi Port can directly access the M-6 at Jamshoro, easing movement for both cargo and travelers.
The M-6 has seen years of financial and administrative setbacks. Back in 2018, the project was estimated to cost $617 million. That figure rose to $1.1 billion by 2022 and now stands at $1.7 billion in 2025 due to inflation, delays, and rising construction costs.
Recognizing the project’s importance, the government has placed it high on the priority list for the 2025–26 fiscal year. In addition to the IsDB, Pakistan is engaging with other lenders including the Saudi Fund for Development and the Asian Development Bank to bridge the remaining financing requirements.
If work finally moves forward as planned, the M-6 could change national connectivity and complete a vital trade and travel corridor via the heart of the country.
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