ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has taken a major step forward on the long-awaited Hyderabad–Sukkur Motorway (M-6), a critical artery of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) approving $475 million in financing and the National Highway Authority (NHA) formally inviting bids for construction.
In its 362nd meeting held on September 29, the IsDB’s Board of Executive Directors cleared a financing package of $1.27 billion for 12 member countries, including Pakistan. “As per the approvals, Pakistan’s transport sector is to be reinforced by a US$475 million financing for the M-6 motorway, ensuring efficient connectivity across a critical corridor,” the bank said in a statement.
Following the approval, NHA on Wednesday issued a General Procurement Notice (GPN), confirming that contracts will soon be open for international competitive bidding. According to the notice, the project includes construction of the Naushehro Feroz–Ranipur (Section 4, 60.9 km) and Ranipur–Sukkur (Section 5, 59.6 km) segments, along with consultancy services for design review, environmental and social impact assessment, project management unit setup, and the selection of an independent financial auditor.
“The procurement of contracts financed by the Islamic Development Bank will be conducted through the procedures specified in the Guidelines… and is open to all eligible bidders,” the NHA statement added. It noted that prequalification will be followed by a single-stage, one-envelope bidding process, with announcements posted on the IsDB, NHA, and PPRA websites as well as in leading national newspapers.
The six-lane, 306-kilometre M-6 motorway is the only missing link in Pakistan’s north–south motorway network from Karachi to Peshawar. Once completed, it will provide seamless connectivity from the southern port city of Karachi through central Pakistan to the northern border, strengthening trade flows and regional integration under CPEC.
Officials said interested firms can access further details through official notices published online and in newspapers. –Agencies
