Construction on a major motorway project in Sindh is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026, as financing for three sections has been secured and talks with global lenders for the remaining portions are close to completion. The update was shared during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee chaired by Senator Quratulain Marri.
In a detailed briefing, the National Highway Authority told the committee that the revised PC-1 for the Sukkur-Hyderabad-Karachi Motorway project has already been approved. Officials from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Public-Private Partnership Authority added that negotiations with the Saudi Fund for Development and the Islamic Development Bank are in the final stages to complete the financing plan for the project.
The committee acknowledged the progress made so far but called for greater urgency to accelerate implementation. Members stressed that unnecessary procedural hurdles must be removed to prevent additional setbacks to the Sukkur-Hyderabad-Karachi Motorway project in Sindh.
The committee also reviewed the first-quarter authorization and release of funds under the Public Sector Development Program 2025 to 26. Presentations from the Planning and Finance Divisions showed that around Rs330 billion had been authorized by the second quarter, although actual spending remains significantly low.
Concerned over the underutilization of development funds, the committee warned that such delays slow down national projects. Both divisions were instructed to work closely with relevant ministries to ensure faster fund use before the fiscal year ends.