Islamabad, Apr 8, 2025: A heated debate erupted during the Senate Planning Committee session, led by Senator Qurratulain Marri, as lawmakers criticized the lack of motorway development in Sindh.
The committee expressed strong dissatisfaction with the National Highway Authority (NHA) for prioritizing projects in Punjab, leaving Sindh’s infrastructure in the dust.
Senator Marri urged the decentralization of motorway responsibilities, calling for provincial governments to take charge of their development.
The lawmakers pointed out the disparity between the provinces, with Punjab seeing numerous motorways, while Sindh struggles to advance key projects like the Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway.
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Senator Marri accused the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) of favoring Punjab’s projects, even approving new motorway routes in the province while ignoring others, including Sindh’s.
Senators highlighted the unfinished Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway and questioned the prioritization of routes like the Lahore-Sahiwal-Bahawalnagar Motorway.
Senator Jam Saifullah Khan went so far as to challenge the classification of the M-9, calling it a “superhighway” rather than a true motorway.
Senator Afnanullah Khan added to the criticism by pointing out the exclusion of Quetta from the national motorway network and raising concerns over a potential $2 billion investment from Azerbaijan, which security issues could hinder, similar to previous Chinese projects.
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The committee members strongly recommended prioritizing the Sukkur-Karachi Motorway as a national project, arguing that it is crucial not just for Sindh but for the nation’s infrastructure.
Minister of State for Planning, Armaghan Subhani, reassured the committee that the Sukkur-Karachi project remains a priority for the government, despite the ongoing debate over other motorways.
In a dramatic twist, Senator Jam Saifullah Khan alleged that a former Deputy Commissioner fled with funds, now residing in Azerbaijan, prompting sarcastic remarks about possible ties to Azerbaijani investment.
The committee clearly stated that they should not approve any new motorway projects until they complete the Sukkur-Karachi Motorway and M-6.
The government will update the public on funding from Azerbaijan and the Islamic Bank in a briefing on April 21st.
This ongoing issue highlights the growing divide in infrastructure development between provinces, and the Senate’s demands could reshape how future motorway projects prioritize.
