Pakistan, China in talks to integrate Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway into CPEC

Pakistan and China are currently in discussions to include the Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway (M-6) in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), aiming to secure concessional financing for the project. During a briefing to the National Assembly Standing Committee on Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, the National Highway Authority (NHA) Chairman Sheryar Sultan highlighted that the Sukkur-Hyderabad section is a missing link in the Peshawar-Karachi Motorway. Feasibility work on M-6 is scheduled to begin in December, and another motorway is planned to connect Karachi to Hyderabad. The Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway, estimated to cost Rs308 billion, is expected to be completed within 30 months.

The committee raised concerns about motorway safety and resource allocation across regions and decided to schedule a special briefing on CPEC. It also expressed dissatisfaction with the Pakistan Public Works Department (PWD) over delays, budget cuts, and mismanagement of projects, citing corruption and inequitable fund distribution. With responsibility for PWD projects now transferred to the provinces, the committee called for transparency and accountability, requesting a detailed briefing from the PWD in the next session.

Additionally, the committee reviewed delays in a Ministry of Health project aimed at providing free cancer medication. Due to late submission by the Ministry of Health, the project was not included in the current Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) and will be deferred to the next cycle. The committee stressed the urgency of expediting approvals to avoid further delays.

Secretary Planning Awais Manzoor briefed the committee on the Social Action Programme (SDGs) for parliamentarian schemes, noting that Rs91 billion was allocated for the previous fiscal year, with Rs61 billion released in the first phase. However, due to budget cuts, no further funds were released, and the PSDP for the ongoing fiscal year has been reduced from Rs1,400 billion to Rs1,100 billion. There are concerns about additional cuts in the development budget, which could hinder releases for parliamentarian schemes. The issue is expected to be discussed in a meeting chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister.

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