Karachi’s chronic traffic problems could see long-term relief as the federal and Sindh governments move forward with plans for the M-10 Motorway, a 134-kilometre high-speed link that will stretch from the city to Jamshoro through the Kirthar mountain range.
The project, which upgrades and extends the existing Northern Bypass, is designed to divert heavy cargo traffic away from Karachi’s main arteries and connect the port city directly to the under-construction M-6 Motorway.
What the Project Involves
According to details shared during a high-level meeting at the Sindh Chief Minister’s House, the motorway plan has two main components:
- Bypass Upgrade: The 34km Karachi Northern Bypass, running from ICI Bridge to Hamdard University Chowk, will be widened into an eight-lane expressway.
- New Mountain Corridor: A 134km six-lane motorway will cut through the Kirthar Range, linking Hamdard University Chowk to the M-6 at Jamshoro.
- Additional Links: A 23km stretch between Hamdard University Chowk and the M-9 will also be expanded into a six-lane route.
If completed as planned, this would create a seamless motorway connection from Karachi Port all the way to Jamshoro, bypassing congested city roads.
Why It Matters
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah described the project as critical for both Karachi and Pakistan’s wider economy. “The M-10 will take pressure off Karachi’s streets, while the M-6 will create new opportunities for interior Sindh by linking it directly to the national motorway grid,” he said.
The federal communications minister, Aleem Khan, echoed the importance of the projects, assuring that both the M-6 and M-10 would be executed “transparently and without delay.”
The Missing Piece: M-6 Motorway
The M-6 Motorway—connecting Hyderabad and Sukkur—is the last missing link in Pakistan’s north–south motorway backbone from Peshawar to Karachi. Officials revealed that it has now secured final approval under the PSDP, with an estimated cost of Rs363 billion.
The project will be carried out in five phases. The Islamic Development Bank has already agreed to finance two sections, while a Chinese firm has shown interest in undertaking the entire stretch.
Once operational, the M-6 is expected to dramatically cut travel time, improve road safety, and boost trade by linking Karachi Port directly to the country’s northern transport corridors.
Next Steps
Currently, the M-10 expansion is in the feasibility stage, being assessed by NESPAK. Meanwhile, the Sindh government has urged the federal authorities to begin ground work on the M-6 without further delay.
If executed on schedule, both motorways could reshape Sindh’s connectivity and ease Karachi’s crippling congestion, while also cementing Pakistan’s long-awaited north–south motorway network.
