ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan on Friday chaired a high-level meeting of the National Highway Authority, underlining the Karachi Port–Hyderabad M-10 Motorway as a critical lifeline for Pakistan’s economy. The minister emphasized that the project will strengthen port connectivity and significantly reduce congestion caused by heavy vehicles and container traffic entering Karachi.
The M-10 Motorway, envisioned as an eight-lane corridor, aims to streamline trade routes and enhance regional commerce. Abdul Aleem Khan directed the NHA to engage international consultants to guarantee world-class design and construction standards, ensuring the motorway meets global benchmarks.
Highlighting the future benefits, the minister called the M-10 Motorway a “project of national importance” and stressed the need for efficient and transparent utilization of resources. He underscored that timely execution would maximize public benefit while boosting Pakistan’s infrastructure competitiveness.
To improve commuter experience and stimulate local economic activity, the minister instructed that modern rest areas and shopping facilities be established every ten kilometers along the motorway. These developments are intended to create employment opportunities and attract business along the corridor.
Abdul Aleem Khan also rejected claims that the NHA was a financial defaulter, describing such perceptions as misleading and not reflective of the authority’s actual fiscal health. He assured stakeholders that the NHA is fully capable of managing large-scale infrastructure projects effectively.
The meeting highlighted international confidence in Pakistan’s infrastructure sector. Officials reported that on March 25, 2026, the OPEC Fund for International Development approved a $230 million three-tranche loan to support Section 3 of the Hyderabad–Sukkur Motorway, further advancing efforts toward a fully integrated national motorway network. The minister expressed optimism that, with proper management and resource allocation, the M-10 project could be completed within two years.
