Government confirms start of Sukkur–Hyderabad Motorway this year

The government told the Senate that work on the long-pending Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway will begin this year, with three of the five sections already approved and tenders underway.

Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan said sections approved so far have moved into the tendering stage and practical construction is expected to start by August or September. He added that the project is moving forward despite tight finances and limited funds in the public sector development programme.

Consequently, the government are prioritizing road projects while balancing budget constraints. The minister also noted that 109 toll plazas are operational nationwide and ordered that tolls should not be charged on roads that still require rehabilitation.

Moreover, Abdul Aleem Khan stressed that toll revenue remains essential for maintaining existing highways and funding new projects. He said the National Highway Authority is generating significant income from toll collections, which supports ongoing infrastructure efforts.

He admitted that many roads remain in poor condition and that lack of funds hinders repair and expansion works. In addition, the minister highlighted that overloading by heavy transport vehicles severely damages highways, causing roads designed to last decades to deteriorate within a few years. Therefore, the government plans stricter enforcement against overloading and other measures to protect road quality.