A joint meeting of the Senate Standing Committees on Communications and Planning has recommended that no new development projects be initiated until ongoing schemes are completed. The committees also urged that projects in Balochistan be prioritized in the upcoming budget and that the National Highway Authority (NHA) ensure the start of work on the Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway (M-6) between September and November.
Heated Exchange Over M-6 Funding
The Senate panel witnessed a heated exchange regarding the proposed allocation for the M-6 project after senators objected to a significant cut in the requested funding, leading to a brief walkout by two members. The joint meeting, chaired by Senator Pervaiz Rashid and Senator Qurat-Ul-Ain Marri, reviewed the progress of the M-6 and other national highway infrastructure schemes.
Secretary Planning Awais Sumra briefed the committee on the Public Sector Development Programme for fiscal year 2026-27. Responding to a query about the M-6 allocation, Sumra stated that the Ministry of Planning had proposed Rs20 billion for the project. However, the NHA chairman informed the committee that Rs70 billion had been demanded for the motorway in the next fiscal year. The secretary planning clarified that the National Economic Council (NEC) would give final approval to all development projects.
Senators Express Concern
Members expressed serious concern over the slow progress and inadequate funding for the M-6 project. Senator Shahadat Awan noted that the 306-kilometre M-6 segment is the only missing portion of the 1,522-kilometre Peshawar-Karachi motorway corridor. He termed the proposed Rs20 billion allocation against a demand of Rs70 billion as “unjust,” observing that at this pace, the Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway “would not be completed even in 12 years.” Such an approach did not set a good precedent, he added.
The NHA chairman informed the committees that the project has been divided into five segments for implementation under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model and that land acquisition has been completed. Several members criticized the absence of the minister concerned and recorded their protest, emphasizing the importance of ministerial oversight for timely execution.
Financing and Walkout
Senator Quratulain Marri recalled that successive governments had linked the project to financing from the Islamic Development Bank and Azerbaijan, but no tangible progress had been made. The committee was informed that financing discussions with international partners, including the Islamic Development Bank, OPEC Fund, and Saudi investors, are underway.
Committee member Jam Saifullah Khan said the communications minister had given a categorical assurance in parliament that work on the motorway would commence by the end of 2026. He described the NHA as “a corrupt institution” and suggested it should be devolved to the provinces. Expressing dismay over the reduced allocation, Senators Shahadat Awan and Jam Saifullah Khan announced a walkout but later rejoined at the request of other members.
Recommendations
The planning secretary informed the panel that Rs264 billion had been proposed for the NHA in the next fiscal year. Senator Saifullah Abro urged that Rs70 billion be earmarked for the Sukkur-Hyderabad-Karachi Motorway. Secretary Sumra said he had no objection if the NEC approved the amount.
The committee recommended that priority be given to completing ongoing projects before initiating new schemes. It further recommended that the full requirement of Rs70 billion be allocated for the M-6 project and directed that these recommendations be conveyed to the NEC.
Concerns Over Balochistan and Other Regions
Members raised concerns about road infrastructure in Balochistan, particularly the Quetta-Dera Ismail Khan, Gwadar-Karachi, and N-25 corridors. The committee stressed the need to prioritize these projects due to their strategic and economic significance. Senator Abdul Wasay said Balochistan has been waiting for roads for years and remarked that until development projects are given to Balochistan, motorways should not even be mentioned.
Senator Talha Mahmood drew attention to deteriorating road infrastructure in the Chitral region and stressed the need for urgent rehabilitation. The committee also discussed the proposed 286-kilometre Gilgit-Shandur road project, an alternative to the Karakoram Highway. The secretary communications informed the committee that the ministry is actively pursuing the project to improve regional connectivity.
Directives
The chair directed the NHA chairman to fulfill his commitment regarding the commencement of M-6 project segments by September and November 2026. The committee also recommended that the N-8 highway project be prioritized in funding allocations. It emphasized that development projects should only be initiated after ensuring adequate financial resources for their completion. The committee directed the NHA to ensure timely commencement of the M-6 segments and reiterated the need for adequate funding to complete critical national infrastructure projects without further delay.
