Standing Committee Raises Concerns Over M-6 Delays, Reviews N-5 Projects and Karachi Infrastructure

Islamabad, September 29, 2026: The 18th meeting of the Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Special Initiatives was held at Parliament House, Islamabad, under the chairmanship of Syed Abdul Qadir Gillani, MNA. The Committee reviewed the implementation of its earlier recommendations and examined progress on the Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway (M-6), selected PSDP projects, the ML-1 Upgradation Project, and matters relating to the National Highway Authority (NHA) and Karachi infrastructure.

 

During the discussion on M-6, the Committee was informed that the project comprises five sections and that its implementation had been affected by recent litigation. The Committee was further informed that groundbreaking would commence from the Sukkur side, while approvals for the Hyderabad section under the public-private partnership (PPP) mode were still awaited. Members expressed concern over the repeated delays and implementation timelines and sought the presence of the Chairman, NHA, and the Minister concerned for a detailed briefing on the project at a subsequent meeting.

 

The Committee also reviewed progress on the Sindh sections of NHA projects included in the current PSDP, relating to the rehabilitation and improvement of National Highway N-5. The Moro-Ranipur section under Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of N-5, financed through the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded Flood Emergency Loan, was reported to be in progress and targeted for completion by June 2027. The Hala-Moro sectionunder Sectional Rehabilitation of N-5, being undertaken with Chinese grant assistance, had yet to commence. Similarly, work on the Ranipur-Sukkur section under Widening and Improvement of Priority Sections of N-5 (Phase-I), financed by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), had not commenced, with land procurement still in progress.

 

Members raised concerns regarding the condition and quality of the road infrastructure and sought greater clarity on the information presented to the Committee. The Committee deferred further consideration of the matter and called for a section-wise briefing, supported by photographs, to enable a more detailed assessment. It also requested that provincial representatives of the concerned ministries participate in future briefings where matters falling within their respective jurisdictions are under discussion.

 

The issue of toll charges on the Lyari Expressway was also discussed. Members noted that the expressway serves commuters within Karachi and raised concerns regarding the impact of increased toll charges on daily users, as well as road safety. The Committee sought clarification regarding the basis for the toll and discussed measures to minimise the financial burden on commuters.

 

The Committee further sought an update on the Dera Murad Jamali Bypass (N-25) and the Mian Channu-Kamalia Road, noting that the latter was not reflected in the current PSDP. Members also sought region-wise details of allocations under the current PSDP to examine the distribution of development resources.

 

The Committee also took up the matter of Treatment Plant-5 (TP-5) for the Greater Karachi Sewerage Project (S-3). It was informed that approximately 64 acres of land were covered by sanads issued by the Government of Sindh to various persons, creating an issue requiring resolution. The Committee was further informed that a high-level meeting had already been proposed with the Government of Sindh to discuss the matter. The Committee recommended that the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) provide, in writing, the findings of its consultant regarding the justification for and requirement of the substantial land area proposed for TP-5. It also recommended that the project be reviewed and reassessed in light of current requirements and technological developments, given that the project was conceived some time ago.

 

The ML-1 Upgradation Project was also discussed in detail. The Railways Division briefed the Committee on the project, including its financing arrangements, and informed the Committee that financing was expected from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The Committee was apprised of the importance of the project and sought further information regarding the proposed timeline and expected groundbreaking.

 

The meeting was attended by Ms. Naz Baloch, Mr. Farhan Chishti and, through video link, Mr. Ahmad Raza Maneka and Ms. Izbal Zehri, Members of the Committee. Senior officials of the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, National Highway Authority, Karachi Port Trust and Railways Division also attended the meeting.