The federal government has assured the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) that the long-delayed Sukkur-Hyderabad-Karachi M-6 Motorway will be included in the 2025–26 Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP). Responding to PPP lawmakers, including Naveed Qamar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb emphasized the project’s priority for national economic connectivity. He confirmed that it will move forward with either domestic funding or foreign financing.
Minister of State for Planning Armaghan Subhani admitted the project was omitted from the FY2024–25 PSDP but confirmed its inclusion for FY2025–26. He said groundwork is already underway, and construction is planned for the upcoming fiscal year. The Communications Ministry has proposed an initial Rs10 billion allocation, with funding expected from a public-private partnership and international donors like the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Subhani clarified that the project benefits Sindh and Balochistan, not just Punjab, as only an 18-km stretch passes through Punjab. Land acquisition has begun, and the motorway is part of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s broader infrastructure vision.
Separately, Power Minister Awais Leghari announced significant electricity price reductions. Domestic users consuming under 200 units per month have seen a 57% decrease since June 2024, benefiting 18 million consumers. Industrial and agricultural tariffs have dropped by 31% and 20%, respectively. Faisalabad alone recorded a 35% increase in industrial consumption.
Leghari attributed the reductions to revised agreements with Independent Power Producers (IPPs) worth Rs3.5 trillion and a shift to a fuel cost adjustment subsidy model. He aims for a unit price of Rs21–22 in three years, without subsidies. However, circular debt may reach Rs2,429 billion by June 2025. Efforts to refinance costly loans are underway.
He addressed load-shedding and criticised Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for not implementing reforms. Meanwhile, Parliament discussed improving Pakistan’s international image, passport ranking, and women’s rights.
