N-65 Quetta–Sukkur Highway: NA Panel Slams NHA Over Poor Road (Nov 2026)
A National Assembly committee says the NHA misreported the poor state of the N-65 Sukkur–Shikarpur road and found the Dera Murad Jamali Bypass has no PSDP funding. What it means for Quetta drivers.
By Saad Nadeem · Published 8 Nov 2026 · 5 min read
A National Assembly committee has told the National Highway Authority (NHA) that its report on the Sukkur–Shikarpur stretch of the N-65 did not match the road's real condition, and has ordered a project-by-project review of substandard highway work. At the same 3 November 2026 meeting, MNAs flagged that the long-delayed Dera Murad Jamali Bypass — also on the N-65 — has received no money in this year's PSDP.
For anyone in Quetta, this matters directly: the N-65 is the main road link between Quetta and upper Sindh, running through Sibi, Dera Murad Jamali and Jacobabad before reaching Shikarpur and Sukkur.
What happened at the committee meeting
The National Assembly Standing Committee on Communications, chaired by MNA Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani, held its 20th meeting at NHA headquarters in Islamabad on Tuesday, 3 November 2026.
- Sukkur–Shikarpur section: MNAs said the road is still in poor condition and linked to frequent accidents. According to reports of the meeting, the NHA's chief executive admitted a mistake and accepted that the pictures shown to the committee did not reflect the highway's actual state.
- Dera Murad Jamali Bypass: Lawmakers noted the bypass has stayed incomplete for years and has no allocation in the current Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP). The committee asked the NHA to explain how it will be finished and where funding could come from.
- Accountability: Members called for action against the officials who prepared the report. The previous NHA General Manager in Sukkur had already been suspended in September, and the committee told the NHA to post a replacement immediately.
This was a follow-up: at its 19th meeting on 2 September 2026, the same committee had already been told periodic maintenance on Sukkur–Shikarpur was "complete", rejected that answer, and an inquiry was ordered with the contractor's outstanding payment held back.
What the committee ordered
| Directive | Who must act | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Detailed report on substandard or poorly planned projects (feasibility, surveys, soil tests, load assessment, construction standards, post-completion checks) | NHA | Next committee meeting |
| Joint site visit of Sukkur–Shikarpur highway and a ground-reality report | NHA Member Sindh with the mover MNA | Not stated |
| Plan to complete Dera Murad Jamali Bypass and identify funding | NHA | Not stated |
| Proposal (including a draft law) to give ongoing PSDP projects priority over new schemes | NHA | Next committee meeting |
| Plan to raise NHA staff strength in Balochistan to match other provinces | NHA | Not stated |
The committee also discussed the M-6 Sukkur–Hyderabad Motorway, where the NHA said work on Sections III, IV and V is expected to begin by January 2027.
Why the N-65 matters for Quetta drivers
The N-65 is the route most Quetta families, traders and transporters use to reach Sukkur, and from there the M-5 to Multan and Lahore or the N-5/M-6 corridor towards Hyderabad and Karachi. Goods vehicles bringing cars, spare parts and tyres into Balochistan from Sindh and Punjab also use it.
A broken surface and an unfinished bypass mean:
- Slower trips and more risk: Potholes and patchwork force sudden braking and lane changes, especially at night and in fog season (December–January) in the Sindh plains.
- More wear on your vehicle: Shock absorbers, bushings, tyres and wheel alignment take the biggest hit on bad roads.
- Town traffic in Dera Murad Jamali: Without a working bypass, through-traffic still squeezes through the town.
There is no confirmed repair timeline yet, so plan for current conditions rather than promised ones.
Tips if you drive Quetta–Sukkur on the N-65
- Travel in daylight where possible and keep speed down on the Shikarpur–Jacobabad–Dera Murad Jamali stretch.
- Check tyre pressure (including the spare), brakes and suspension before leaving Quetta.
- Get a wheel alignment and balancing check after the round trip if the steering pulls or vibrates.
- Carry water, a torch, a tow rope and a charged phone; mobile coverage can be patchy between towns.
What it means for car buyers and sellers
If you are buying a used car that has regularly done the Quetta–Sindh run, pay extra attention to the suspension, tyres and underbody. A professional car inspection in Quetta can spot worn bushings, bent rims and alignment problems that a quick test drive misses. Browse used cars or used bikes in Quetta, check new car prices, or sell your car free on QuettaWheels.
We will update this story when the NHA submits its report or announces repair work.
Frequently asked questions
Which cities does the N-65 highway connect? The N-65 links Sukkur in Sindh with Quetta, passing through Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Dera Murad Jamali and Sibi.
Why did the National Assembly committee criticise the NHA? At its 3 November 2026 meeting, the committee said the NHA's account of the Sukkur–Shikarpur road did not match its real, poor condition, and the NHA's chief executive admitted the mistake.
When will the Dera Murad Jamali Bypass be completed? No completion date has been announced. The project has no allocation in the current PSDP, and the committee has asked the NHA to find funding and a completion plan.
Has repair work on the N-65 started? No repair start date has been officially announced yet. The committee has ordered the NHA to report back at its next meeting.
Sources: Minute Mirror – NHA under fire over poor road construction (3 Nov 2026); National Assembly of Pakistan press release, 19th meeting (2 Sep 2026); APP – NA body seeks accountability over deteriorating roads (2 Sep 2026); PakWheels (6 Nov 2026).
#N-65#NHA#Quetta#Balochistan roads#Dera Murad Jamali
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