Not Just Sukkur-Hyderabad, But Hyderabad-Karachi Motorway Will Also Be Built: Abdul Aleem Khan

Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan has announced that not only will the Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway be constructed, but a Hyderabad-Karachi Motorway will also be built. Work on the project will begin soon, and the goal is to complete it within two years.

Responding to Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah’s press conference on motorways, Abdul Aleem Khan stated that he would not comment on the previous governments' failure to construct the Sukkur-Hyderabad and Karachi motorways, as he has only held responsibility for the Ministry of Communications for the past year.

He noted that all major political parties, including the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), which ruled for five years, were in power at the federal level and collectively wasted several years without executing these crucial projects.

The Federal Minister emphasized that a key section of the motorway is the connection between Karachi and Sukkur. Without the Karachi leg of the motorway, its full utility cannot be realized. Connecting Karachi Port to the motorway is essential for import, export, and business activities.

He assured the nation that work on Karachi’s motorways would start immediately. Not just Sukkur to Hyderabad, but the Hyderabad to Karachi motorway will also be built. Additionally, the Northern Bypass will be upgraded to an 8-lane motorway and linked with the Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway.

He added that this project will begin promptly, with the Islamic Development Bank expressing its willingness to support it. The bank's board will give final approval for funding in September.

Abdul Aleem Khan explained that the Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway is divided into five zones—three will be financed by the Islamic Development Bank, while the remaining two will be offered to another bank or donor agency.

He reiterated that the Karachi-Hyderabad-Sukkur motorway project is planned to be completed within the next two years. He thanked the Sindh Chief Minister and humorously remarked that if they need the Chief Minister’s help with the required Rs. 25 billion, they won’t hesitate to ask.

The Federal Minister said that the federal government aims to complete this project using its own resources, striving to build this over $2 billion project independently.

He also mentioned that work is ongoing on the Lyari Expressway by the National Highway Authority (NHA), and it will soon be completed to international standards, giving the people of Karachi a beautifully redeveloped Lyari Expressway as a gift.