The Senate Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Special Initiatives on Friday called for the immediate commencement of the long-delayed Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway (M-6) and emphasized the need to prioritize infrastructure projects in Balochistan.
The meeting, chaired by Senator Quratulain Marri, was held here in Islamabad and attended by Senators Jam Saifullah Khan, Shahadat Awan, Saadia Abbasi, and Manzoor Ahmed. The Committee reviewed the progress on the M-6 project and discussed the broader Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for 2025-26.
Officials from the Ministry of Planning revealed that out of 55 unapproved projects proposed under the upcoming PSDP, only seven had been cleared by the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) for submission to ECNEC, with a combined cost of Rs481.964 billion. These primarily focus on road rehabilitation and expansion, including a 210-kilometer stretch of the N-5 (G.T. Road) from Karachi to Hyderabad.
Senator Marri criticized the fragmented execution of development projects, urging a unified implementation approach to improve efficiency. She particularly emphasized the importance of completing the N-5 upgrade and directed authorities to investigate the existence of two toll plazas between Matiari and Hyderabad, demanding a report on the issue.
Raising objections to certain CDWP-approved projects, Senator Saadia Abbasi questioned the rationale behind launching multiple agricultural initiatives within the same province. She urged a more balanced allocation of projects across provinces. The Committee supported her view and suggested relocating one of the projects to another region to ensure equitable development.
Regarding the M-6 Motorway, National Highway Authority (NHA) officials informed the Committee that land acquisition was ongoing and expected to be completed within two to three months. Physical work is scheduled to commence by March 2026.
However, Senator Manzoor Ahmed voiced deep concern over Balochistan’s consistent exclusion from major motorway projects. The Chairperson directed the Planning Ministry and NHA to present a detailed update on projects planned for Balochistan in the next meeting.
The Committee also received a comprehensive briefing from the Planning and Maritime Affairs ministries on port charges. It was revealed that charges at Gwadar Port remain higher than those at regional competitors such as Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port. The absence of shipping incentives, coupled with persistent security threats and lack of private sector interest, was cited as a major hurdle to Gwadar’s growth.
The Ministry of Maritime Affairs proposed a phased operational plan for Gwadar, beginning with a transit trade model. Officials added that charges at Karachi Port Trust (KPT) were actually lower than in 1994, though logistical issues persist-particularly truck delays of up to 24 hours in accessing the Super Highway from the port.
Efforts to improve connectivity were discussed, including the construction of an elevated Lyari Expressway and the KPT-Pipri rail link, although the latter requires additional funding. Senator Marri recommended creating a shorter, dedicated corridor between KPT and the Super Highway to ease congestion and reduce transport time.
The Committee concluded by reaffirming that the M-6 motorway should take precedence over new projects and called for greater attention to infrastructure development in underserved regions like Balochistan.