Islamabad, It is to clarify that during the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) meeting held on June 18, 2025, an error was made in the cost figure of the Hyderabad–Sukkur Motorway (M-6) project, which was inadvertently reported. The correct revised cost of the project, as recommended to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), is Rs. 364 billion, not Rs. 395 billion as initially stated in press release.
During the meeting, the National Highway Authority (NHA) presented a revised project cost of Rs. 395 billion; however, the forum, led by Deputy Chairman Planning Commission and Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, express reservations regarding the proposed cost. After deliberation, CDWP approved the project at Rs. 364 billion based on CSR rates and confirmed financing for three sections. The NHA has been directed to make the necessary adjustments and proceed in accordance with the revised cost suggested by the forum.
It was further informed in the meeting that Islamic Development Bank has already committed funding for Sections IV and V of the M-6 project, while negotiations for funding Section III are at an advanced stage. For Sections I and II, the Federal Minister for Planning emphasized the need to explore innovative mode of financing including Public-Private Partnership (PPP) opportunities and directed that necessary arrangements should be finalized by mid-August 2025 in order to ensure completion of the project in three years.
A high-level committee was formed, to be chaired by the Federal Minister for Finance. The committee will comprise the Federal Ministers for Communications, Economic Affairs, and Planning, along with senior officials from the NHA, P3A and the Ministry of Communications for finalizing financing of remaining two sections.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
