Islamabad: The long-delayed Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway (HSM) project has garnered fresh attention from both the federal government and the Senate, with new directives issued to expedite its construction.
On Tuesday, the Senate Standing Committee on Planning and Development directed the National Highway Authority (NHA) to prioritize the HSM project above all others. Senate members expressed frustration over the continued delays of the project, which has been stalled for over six years despite its significance as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Senator Quratulain Marri, who presided over the meeting, demanded that the NHA halt all other projects until HSM is initiated.
Read:
“How is money being allocated to other projects, like the Lahore-Sahiwal Motorway, while the Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway remains pending?” Senator Marri questioned, adding that the NHA should focus solely on HSM. The committee has now made it clear that the HSM project must be given top priority.
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal responded positively, assuring the committee that the government would adhere to the directives, and reaffirmed the importance of the HSM project. He committed to ensuring the project’s timely initiation.
Meanwhile, another committee member, Faisal Sabzwari, pointed out the international norm of starting motorways from port cities, emphasizing the need for this strategic project to begin. The HSM is a critical link between Sindh and the rest of the country, but its construction has been mired in delays and bureaucratic hurdles.
In related developments, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has personally intervened in the dispute over the project between the federal government and the Sindh provincial government. In a letter to Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, the PM assured that he was taking a personal interest in ensuring the swift commencement of construction work. The PM also revealed that the HSM would soon be included in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP). He acknowledged the reservations raised by the Sindh government and confirmed that plans for a public-private partnership model of development would be pursued for the project.
Read:
The Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway is a 306-kilometer stretch that will connect the port city of Karachi to the northern regions, playing a pivotal role in both trade and regional connectivity. However, the project has faced repeated delays due to issues with funding and corruption allegations.
Two firms, Zahir Khan and Brothers (ZKB) and Techno Engineering Services (TES), have been involved in proposing solutions for the project. TES, which was awarded the construction contract over two years ago, has submitted plans to the NHA to complete the project with a revised cost structure, but its contract was previously canceled due to allegations of irregularities.
As the Senate and the Prime Minister push for swift action, the future of the Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway now hinges on overcoming past delays and ensuring a clear path for its construction. With renewed focus and commitments from both the Senate and the PM, hopes are high that the much-awaited project will soon break ground.
Samra Zulfiqar, a real estate analyst at Zameen.com, is passionate about finding projects that offer buyers the best returns. Her keen insights spotlight the market’s most promising opportunities.
