Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan today designated the planned Karachi Port-Hyderabad M-10 Motorway a critical economic lifeline for Pakistan, outlining an aggressive two-year completion target for the major infrastructure project during a high-level review with the National Highway Authority (NHA).
The minister emphasised that the arterial route is essential for enhancing connectivity through the port and will be instrumental in alleviating traffic congestion from heavy vehicles and containers entering Karachi.
During the session, it was detailed that the M-10 will be an expansive 8-lane undertaking. Mr Khan directed the NHA to engage international consultants to guarantee the highest standards of design and construction, describing the initiative as vital for the nation”s future. He stressed that all available resources must be employed with maximum efficiency and transparency.
To build the project on a solid technical foundation, the minister ordered a group of top-tier NHA engineers to commence feasibility studies and preliminary preparations immediately. He also envisioned a modern commuter experience, instructing that rest areas and shopping facilities be developed every 10 kilometres along the route to serve travellers and stimulate local commerce.
Mr Khan expressed confidence that the significant project could be concluded within a two-year timeframe, provided that resources are allocated punctually and managed effectively. He also took the opportunity to defend the NHA’s financial standing, dismissing the perception that the authority is a defaulter as a ‘misleading narrative’ that does not reflect its true fiscal health.
The briefing also covered international financial backing for the nation’s highway system. It was reported to the minister that the OPEC Fund for International Development had approved a three-tranche loan of 230 million dollars on March 25, 2026, with the funding designated for the development of Section 3 of the Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway.