Pakistan and China Discuss Integrating Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway into CPEC

Talks Focus on Including Key Motorway Project in China-Pakistan Economic Corridor

P.c. China Pakistan Economic Corridor

Pakistan and China Discuss Integrating Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway into CPEC


ISLAMABAD – Pakistan and China are currently in discussions to incorporate the Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway (M-6) into the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The National Highway Authority (NHA) Chairman, Sheryar Sultan, shared with the National Assembly Standing Committee on Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives that the motorway's inclusion in CPEC is aimed at securing concessional financing for the project.

The committee, chaired by Syed Abdul Qadir Gillani, learned that the Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway is a crucial missing link in the Peshawar-Karachi Motorway network. Ongoing consultations with China are intended to finalize the motorway’s inclusion in CPEC.

P.c. China Pakistan Economic Corridor

Feasibility studies for the M-6 are scheduled to begin in December, and plans are underway to construct an additional motorway connecting Karachi to Hyderabad. The Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway, with an estimated cost of Rs308 billion, is projected to be completed within 30 months.

Concerns about motorway safety and equitable resource distribution were raised by the committee, leading to a decision to hold a dedicated briefing on CPEC in the near future. The session also scrutinized the performance of the Pakistan Public Works Department (PWD), which has faced criticism for delays, budget cuts, and project cancellations. The committee highlighted issues such as corruption and mismanagement of funds, calling for greater accountability and transparency in public resource management.

Additionally, the committee reviewed delays in the Ministry of Health's project to provide free cancer medicines, which has been deferred to the next Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) cycle due to late submissions. The committee stressed the urgency of expediting this initiative to ensure timely access to cancer treatment.

Secretary Planning Awais Manzoor updated the committee on budget allocations, noting that the PSDP has been reduced from Rs950 billion to Rs744 billion, with further reductions anticipated. He expressed concerns about the potential impact on funding for parliamentary schemes and the need for a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister to address these budgetary challenges.