Karachi: Expressing grave concerns over inordinate delay in the crucial Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway project, Pasban Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Altaf Shakoor said it is causing a great harm to the economy of Sindh, as well as, the whole country.
Altaf Shakoor said modern motorways have already been built in other areas of the country, even in the difficult hilly terrains but the people of Sindh are still being deprived of this facility.
He said the old Superhighway is designated as M-9 Motorway, but it is not a 'motorway' in a true sense, and hence, the whole Sindh doesn't have a single modern motorway, which shows the mindset of the rulers towards Sindh.
He said the proposed motorway, widely referred to as the M-6, if ever built could redefine connectivity, trade, and economic growth across Sindh and beyond. ½Stretching approximately 306 kilometers between Sukkur and Hyderabad - and ultimately linking to Karachi - the motorway is designed to complete a high-speed corridor from the megacity to northern Pakistan.
He said if ever built this motorway will seamlessly connect with the existing motorway network leading upcountry, significantly reducing travel time and transport costs.
He said Karachi, Pakistan's largest city and economic hub, handles the bulk of the country's imports and exports through its ports. However, heavy reliance on the National Highway (N-5) has long resulted in congestion, accidents, and delays.
He said the new motorway will provide faster cargo movement between ports and industrial zones, reduce fuel consumption and logistics costs, ensure safer travel conditions compared to the overburdened N-5. It will improve supply chain reliability for businesses.
Altaf Shakoor said the project will especially benefit agricultural producers in upper Sindh, enabling quicker transport of perishable goods to Karachi's markets and export terminals. He said it will stimulate economic activity in underdeveloped districts along its route.
He said for the cities like Sukkur and Hyderabad, enhanced connectivity to Karachi could open doors to investment and tourism, narrowing the economic gap between urban and rural Sindh.
He said the existing highway network between Karachi and Sukkur has historically recorded a high number of traffic accidents due to mixed traffic, poor road conditions, and heavy truck movement. The new motorway would also significantly reduce fatal road accidents and improve overall road discipline.
PDP Chairman said this motorway is also seen as a key missing link in Pakistan's north-south corridor, integrating Sindh more effectively with the national motorway network. By strengthening internal connectivity, the project supports long-term economic stability and national integration.
He said that this motorway represents more than just a road project; it is a strategic investment in Sindh's economic future. By connecting Karachi's ports to interior Sindh and onward to the rest of the country, the motorway promises to reduce travel time, enhance safety, create jobs, and unlock new economic opportunities.
Altaf Shakoor said that the prolonged delay in completing this motorway reflects a persistent lack of political will, as successive governments have announced the project but failed to ensure timely execution through consistent funding, transparent bidding, and strong oversight.
He regretted that despite its strategic importance for linking Karachi with Sukkur and strengthening Sindh's economic backbone, shifting policy priorities, bureaucratic hurdles, and changes in leadership have repeatedly slowed progress.
½He said that large infrastructure projects require sustained commitment beyond political cycles, and without unified resolve at both federal and provincial levels, even nationally significant initiatives risk remaining delayed on paper rather than delivering tangible benefits on the ground.