The M-6 Hyderabad to Sukkur motorway is not built yet. As of the National Highway Authority's briefing to the National Assembly's economic affairs committee in September 2026, construction is scheduled to start in November 2026, and the three northern sections are targeted for completion between March and May 2029. Until then, anyone driving between Hyderabad and Sukkur uses the existing National Highway, not a motorway.
The M-6 matters because it is the missing piece between the M-9 (Karachi to Hyderabad) and the M-5 (Multan to Sukkur). This guide covers the route, the five sections, the funding, the realistic timeline and what to do on a road trip in the meantime.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Route | Hyderabad to Sukkur, via Tando Adam, Nawabshah, Naushahro Feroze and Ranipur |
| Length | 306 km |
| Design | Six lanes, 120 km/h design speed |
| Cost estimate | About Rs 359 billion across five sections (2026) |
| Construction start | Scheduled for November 2026 |
| Target completion (north) | March to May 2029 for Sections III to V |
| Sections I and II | Public-private partnership; concession award targeted for February 2027 |
Where is the M-6 motorway and what will it connect?
The M-6 is planned as a 306 km, six-lane controlled-access road running from Hyderabad north to Sukkur. Wikipedia describes it as the final missing link in the north to south motorway chain from Karachi to Peshawar, with a design speed of 120 km/h, 89 bridges, 15 interchanges and 243 underpasses.
Today the chain has a gap. The M-9 links Karachi and Hyderabad, and the M-5 links Multan and Sukkur. Between Hyderabad and Sukkur, traffic uses the N-5 National Highway through the towns on the way. Road-distance listings put that drive at roughly 330 km and a little under four hours without delays, although trucks, towns and roadworks usually make it longer.
What are the five sections of the M-6?
According to the National Highway Authority's figures reported in September 2026:
| Section | From and to | Length | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Hyderabad to Tando Adam | 57 km | Rs 81 billion |
| II | Tando Adam to Nawabshah | 63 km | Rs 70 billion |
| III | Nawabshah to Naushahro Feroze | 65 km | Rs 69 billion |
| IV | Naushahro Feroze to Ranipur | 61 km | Rs 68 billion |
| V | Ranipur to Sukkur | 60 km | Rs 71 billion |
Splitting the project this way was a change of plan. The original scheme was a single build-operate-transfer project that broke ground on 13 December 2022 with a 30-month target. It then stalled, and Dawn reported that the private consortium had failed to arrange the funds. The government has since moved to fund and tender it in pieces.
How is the M-6 being funded?
- Sections IV and V have a signed $475 million loan from the Islamic Development Bank, approved in September 2025.
- Section III is backed by $230 million from the OPEC Fund, approved in March 2026.
- Sections I and II are planned as a public-private partnership, with the Asian Development Bank hired as transaction adviser in April 2026.
The funding for the southern end is the least settled part of the plan. A concession award for Sections I and II is targeted for February 2027, with tendering planned for November 2026. Land acquisition for the main corridor is reported as complete.
When will the M-6 be finished?
Timelines for this project have slipped repeatedly, so treat every date as a target.
- Section III: bids were received on 2 September 2026, with contract acceptance expected in November.
- Section IV: bids were opened on 3 September 2026 and are being evaluated.
- Section V: bidding was expected in October 2026.
- Sections III to V: targeted for completion between March and May 2029.
- Sections I and II: no completion date is public, since the concession has not yet been awarded.
In practice that means the northern half could open around 2029 if nothing slips, and a continuous Hyderabad to Sukkur motorway is further off than that. No toll rates have been announced for the M-6 that we could find.
What does it mean for a road trip today?
For now, plan as if the M-6 does not exist. A drive from Karachi to Sukkur means the M-9 as far as Hyderabad and then the National Highway for the remaining distance. Our guide to driving from Karachi to Sukkur covers that route, and Karachi to Hyderabad by road covers the motorway section. From Punjab, the M-5 is already open to Sukkur; see our guide to the M-5 motorway.
When the M-6 does open, the usual caveats about new motorways apply. Tolls will be charged, services and rest areas may arrive later than the road, and early months can bring teething problems. Do not plan a trip around its opening date.
Is the road to Sukkur safe?
Most of the M-6 corridor lies in northern Sindh, and the UK government advises against all but essential travel to the part north of Nawabshah. In January 2026 robbers looted passenger buses on a highway in Shikarpur district, and Sindh police have been running operations against dacoits in the riverine areas. Pakistani drivers use these roads daily, but we would travel in daylight, keep the tank full and check local news before leaving. Foreign-passport holders should read their own government's advice, since it can affect insurance.
Frequently asked questions
Is the M-6 motorway open?
No. As of the National Highway Authority's September 2026 briefing, construction is scheduled to begin in November 2026.
How long is the M-6 motorway?
It is planned at 306 km, from Hyderabad to Sukkur, in five sections of 57 to 65 km.
When will the M-6 be completed?
The three northern sections are targeted for March to May 2029. Sections I and II depend on a concession that is not yet awarded.
How do I drive from Hyderabad to Sukkur now?
By the N-5 National Highway, roughly 330 km and a little under four hours in good conditions. Our travel guide has general advice for long road trips in Pakistan.
Who is paying for the M-6?
The Islamic Development Bank has signed $475 million for Sections IV and V, the OPEC Fund has approved $230 million for Section III, and Sections I and II are planned as a public-private partnership.
