ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Commu­nica­tions Abdul Aleem Khan on Tuesday disclosed that construction of much aw­­aited Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway (M-6) project would officially begin in May this year.

Presiding over a high-level meeting of the Natio­nal Highway Authority (NHA), he emphasised that the project remains a top priority and directed officials to take immediate and decisive steps to ensure its execution without further delays.

The minister highlig­h­ted that both the Sukkur-Hyderabad and Karachi motorways would be executed under a Public-Pri­vate Partnership model to ensure efficiency and sustainability. He directed that work on all sections should proceed simultaneously so that the entire project can be completed within the stipulated timeframe.

He further announced that the Sialkot-Kharian Motorway (M-12) will now be constructed as a six-lane highway instead of the previously planned four lanes to better accommodate future traffic volumes.

Mr Khan underscored that the current administration is not merely building for present needs but developing motorway inf­ra­structure to meet the req­­uirements of the next 30 years.

The meeting focused on enhancing connectivity and regional utility. Stra­tegic plans were discussed to link the motorway network with Kartarpur and other religious tourism centres to maximise economic impact.

To promote Sikh religi­ous tourism, the minister announced that the Min­i­stry of Communications will conduct dedicated roadshows in Canada, the Uni­ted States and the Europe.

The meeting concluded with a briefing by NHA cha­­irman and senior on the feasibility of the Hyd­era­b­­ad-Karachi Motorway and plans to modernise “Right of Way” advertising policies.

Published in Dawn, February 11th, 2026