# M-6 Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway still at procurement stage; N-25 Karachi-Chaman at 19% after review

Source: Searchable (https://searchable.pk/news/pakistan/m-6-hyderabad-sukkur-motorway-still-at-procurement-stage-n-25-karachi-chaman-at)
Type: News article
Author: Searchable Editorial
Published: 30 Oct 2026
Updated: 30 Oct 2026
Retrieved: 31 Oct 2026

> Ahsan Iqbal has told the NHA to clear bottlenecks on the country's biggest road projects. Here is where each one stands, from the Rs 363.7 billion M-6 to the Shandur-Gilgit road.

**The 306 km Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway (M-6), with an approved cost of Rs 363.7 billion, has still not moved past the procurement stage, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal was told on Friday at a review of National Highway Authority projects.** He directed the NHA to remove procedural bottlenecks and speed up procurement on the M-6 and on the electrical and mechanical works of the Lowari Tunnel, [ARY News reported](https://arynews.tv/nha-directed-to-accelerate-progress-on-m-6-m-25-and-quetta-zhob-road).

The M-6 is the missing link between the Karachi-Hyderabad M-9 and the motorways north of Sukkur. Until it is built, traffic between Karachi and Punjab on the motorway network has to use the National Highway (N-5) through interior Sindh.

## Where each project stands

| Project | Length | Cost (Rs billion) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| M-6 Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway | 306 km | 363.70 | Procurement |
| Lowari Tunnel, electrical and mechanical works | n/a | 33.25 | Procurement |
| N-25 Karachi-Quetta-Chaman dualisation | 273 km | 183.42 | 19.25% built |
| Shandur-Gilgit Road | 216 km | 49.95 | 67.33% built |
| Chitral-Booni-Mastuj-Shandur Road | 153 km | 17.78 | 40% built |
| N-55 Shikarpur-Rajanpur second carriageway | 221.9 km | 44.70 | 62% built |
| N-55 Rajanpur-Dera Ghazi Khan | 121.5 km | 63.15 | Awaiting award (land acquisition) |
| N-55 Dera Ghazi Khan-Dera Ismail Khan | 208.19 km | 111.94 | Awarded, contractors mobilising |
| N-50 Yarik-Sagu-Zhob with Zhob Bypass | 210 km | 76.49 | 10% built |

Figures as presented to the minister, rounded to two decimals.

## What the minister ordered

- **Faster work** on the N-25, especially the Karachi-Kararo and Wadh-Khuzdar sections, which carry much of the trade traffic to Quetta and Chaman.
- **No unexplained cost increases.** Contractors' claims for extra payment must go through technical, contractual and financial scrutiny, with independent third-party checks of costs, quality and quantities.
- **A list of projects** that a small extra allocation could finish.
- **Proposals within 15 days** on the outstanding financial claims related to the bypass project.
- **Action plans with deadlines** for projects held up by money or administrative problems.

## What it means for you

For drivers in Sindh and Balochistan, the review confirms that the two biggest promises on the southern road network are still years away: the N-25 dualisation is less than a fifth done, and the M-6 has not yet been contracted. The N-55 Indus Highway between Shikarpur and Rajanpur, at 62%, is the nearest to completion.

Planning a long drive meanwhile? Our [fuel cost calculator](/tools/cars/fuel-cost-calculator) works out the cost of a trip at today's [petrol price](/data/petrol-price).

## Frequently asked questions

**When will the Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway (M-6) be built?**

As of 30 October 2026 the 306 km M-6, with a PC-I cost of Rs 363.7 billion, was still at the procurement stage, so construction had not started.

## Sources

- NHA directed to accelerate progress on M-6, M-25 and Quetta-Zhob Road (ARY News): https://arynews.tv/nha-directed-to-accelerate-progress-on-m-6-m-25-and-quetta-zhob-road

How to cite: "M-6 Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway still at procurement stage; N-25 Karachi-Chaman at 19% after review", Searchable, 30 Oct 2026, https://searchable.pk/news/pakistan/m-6-hyderabad-sukkur-motorway-still-at-procurement-stage-n-25-karachi-chaman-at