Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan on Monday emphasized the urgent need to complete critical road infrastructure projects in Sindh, including the long-delayed M-6 and M-10 motorways, during a press conference in Karachi.

Speaking to the media after a key meeting with Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, the minister said resolving the IMF matter was crucial as the country was nearing bankruptcy. He welcomed the recent reduction in interest rates, calling it a positive step for economic recovery.

Aleem Khan confirmed that construction of both the M-6 and M-10 motorways will now begin simultaneously, with the aim of connecting them directly to Karachi Port. He stressed that without proper linkage to the port, these projects would remain incomplete, undermining their national significance.

“The M-6 motorway is an old project and has been neglected by political parties for years,” he remarked. “It’s time we act — not just plan.”

The M-6 Motorway, a project worth approximately Rs400 billion, has been divided into five sections, each about 60 kilometres long. Funding for two sections has been finalized, while discussions are ongoing for the remaining three. The construction is being financed by the federal government in collaboration with various banks, he added.

During the conference, Aleem Khan highlighted the strategic importance of these projects for Pakistan’s long-term development and investment climate. He urged Pakistani businessmen and international donors to contribute towards building the country's road infrastructure.

“There is no better opportunity than investing in Pakistan’s motorways,” he said. “These are not just roads — they are the backbone of our economy.”

He also revealed that a joint team is being formed to address issues on the Lyari Expressway, which has been deemed unfit for heavy traffic following a third-party audit; the heavy traffic is causing a lot of loss of lives in Karachi. A feasibility study will be conducted within 15 days and presented to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Aleem Khan assured that interchanges along Lyari Expressway will also be upgraded, and solutions are being developed to resolve traffic congestion at Sohrab Goth, one of Karachi’s busiest intersections.

The minister made it clear that Karachi’s infrastructure issues are a national concern, not just a provincial matter. He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has instructed that problems of Karachi must be prioritized.

Earlier, the minister held a meeting with Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah where he emphasized that connecting Pakistan’s motorways to Karachi Port is essential to ensure the completion and functionality of major infrastructure projects. He warned that without this connection, the motorway projects would remain incomplete.

During the meeting, key discussions were held regarding the M-6 Motorway, National Highway, and the Jamshoro-Sehwan Road.

Minister Aleem Khan stressed that the main objective of the motorway projects is to ensure full connectivity -- from origin to destination. He reiterated the federal government’s commitment to seeing these projects through to completion.

The chief minister agreed with the importance of continuity in the motorway network, especially from Karachi to Lahore and Peshawar, and called for the swift completion of the Jamshoro-Sehwan Road. In response, Aleem Khan confirmed that work on the road had already commenced.

During a briefing, NHA representatives shared that a third-party audit had deemed the Lyari Expressway unfit for heavy traffic. However, it was proposed that heavy vehicles could be allowed during off-peak hours as an interim measure.

Additionally, it was decided that engineering solutions would be explored to address persistent traffic congestion issues at Sohrab Goth, a major choke point in Karachi. The meeting was attended by senior officials, including the communications secretary, NHA chairman, and the entire NHA team.