Senior Sindh Minister and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Sharjeel Inam Memon criticised the federal government’s insufficient funding for the Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway, a vital infrastructure project for Pakistan.
Memon highlighted concerns over the 2025-26 budget’s allocation and urged fiscal responsibility. This article explores the funding issues, the PPP’s stance, and the project’s national significance.
Memon emphasised the motorway’s role in facilitating trade through Karachi Port, Pakistan’s primary hub for imports and exports. The 306-km, six-lane project, part of the M-6 motorway, aims to connect Sindh’s key cities, boosting economic activity. However, Memon noted that the federal government, responsible for its construction, allocated only Rs15 billion, a “token amount” insufficient for timely progress.
“This project is not just for Sindh but for all of Pakistan,” Memon stated, underscoring its national importance.
Memon argued that a project of this scale, expected to take two to three years, requires 30–40% of its budget upfront, unlike the minimal allocation provided. He expressed frustration over unfulfilled federal assurances, stating, “With the amount allocated, this project can neither be started soon nor completed on time.” The PPP also raised concerns about inadequate funding for the K-IV water project, reflecting broader dissatisfaction with the budget.
The PPP formally submitted proposals to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, urging the federal government to curb unnecessary expenditures. Memon highlighted the Federal Board of Revenue’s failure to meet previous revenue targets, warning that unchecked spending could strain Pakistan’s financial system. “If income isn’t increasing, control expenditure to manage fiscal deficits,” he advised, advocating for sustainable fiscal policies.
Insufficient funding risks delaying the motorway, potentially hampering trade and economic growth. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah’s repeated reminders to the federal government underscore the project’s urgency. The PPP’s push for a detailed budget review signals ongoing tensions between provincial and federal priorities, with implications for Pakistan’s infrastructure development.
