KARACHI: The Sindh Cabinet on Tuesday approved a reduction of Rs 500 per 40kg in the release price of wheat, bringing it down from Rs 5,000 to Rs 4,500 per 40 kg, a move expected to reduce flour prices by Rs 17 per kilogram.
Addressing at a press conference here after the Cabinet meeting, Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon - holding portfolios of Information, Transport and Mass Transit — said the Cabinet also approved a dollars one billion urban development investment programme for five divisional headquarters, covering water supply, drainage, sanitation and solid waste management.
He said the Cabinet had granted ex-post facto approval to an Asian Development Bank (ADB)-supported programme for preparing the USD 1 billion investment plan.
The Cabinet also approved the registration of Lady Dufferin Hospital Trust under the Sindh Trust Act-2020 and the Draft Rules 2026 for the registration and monitoring of charitable organisations under the Sindh Charities Registration and Regulation Act 2019.
The Cabinet further approved an additional Rs 502.409 million for five development schemes in Jamshoro district, including the Sehwan city water supply scheme and installation of reverse osmosis (RO) plants.
It also approved a Rs 2.993 billion development scheme to improve the water supply and drainage system in Nawabshah Town, Shaheed Benazirabad district.
A Cabinet committee has also been constituted to address issues concerning katchi abadis (informal settlements). The committee will develop legislative proposals and recommend a one-window operation to streamline matters relating to these settlements.
Speaking about infrastructure development, Sharjeel Memon said 75 percent of construction work on the Ghotki-Kandhkot Bridge over the Indus River had been completed. The project is being executed under the public-private partnership (PPP) model, and work is progressing rapidly.
The senior minister said the provincial government was taking strict measures to enforce traffic laws and would soon introduce legislation to establish a Traffic Management Authority for Karachi.
A Smart Traffic Management System would also be introduced to improve traffic flow and strengthen surveillance and enforcement against violations.
He warned that indiscriminate action would be taken against traffic offenders, including vehicles displaying fancy or illegal number plates and those carrying firearms unlawfully. He said individuals displaying weapons while travelling in plain clothes would be arrested, adding that the owner of the vehicle concerned would also be taken into custody along with the armed guard.
Emphasising that traffic discipline was a shared responsibility, he said citizens could not continue violating the law and hold the government solely responsible for the consequences.
Driving by underage children was prohibited, yet dangerous practices such as one-wheeling continued even in affluent neighbourhoods, he said, urging citizens to recognise the risks of violating traffic rules, including one-way restrictions.
He said the laws were already in place and the real requirement was their effective implementation. He also urged the media to play an active role in raising public awareness about traffic regulations.
Protecting human lives and preventing road accidents remained the government’s foremost priorities, he said, adding that strict action would be taken against violators.
Responding to a question about encroachments, Sharjeel Memon said the government did not intend to deprive anyone of their livelihood, but would not compromise on the enforcement of law or public convenience.
He said encroachments would be removed from city roads to facilitate commuters, stressing that citizens and the government must jointly fulfil their responsibilities for the better functioning of society.
On political gatherings, he said all political parties were free to conduct their activities within the framework of the Constitution and law, but prior permission from the relevant authorities was mandatory for public meetings.
He categorically ruled out permission for any political gathering on Shahrah-e-Faisal, specifically warning the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) against attempting to hold a rally there.
“MQM should listen carefully: permission for a public gathering on Shahrah-e-Faisal will not be granted under any circumstances. The party will not be allowed to repeat incidents like May 12,” he said.
He said the government would not allow an atmosphere of confrontation and unrest to develop, adding that no political party could impose its decisions on the government.
Commenting on debate surrounding the creation of new provinces, the senior minister said the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Sindh government had already made their position clear.
He maintained that no law or decision could override the authority of the Sindh Assembly, which had already adopted its position on the matter.
He also criticised Mustafa Kamal, Farooq Sattar and Khalid Maqbool, questioning their electoral standing and alleging that they had entered the assemblies through illegitimate means rather than direct public support.
Responding to a question about the Tharparkar ambulance incident, Sharjeel Memon said the Sindh government had announced financial assistance for the affected families and taken immediate measures to provide them relief.
He said President Asif Ali Zardari was visiting ongoing development projects across Sindh to review their progress.
On transport projects, the minister said most road construction work was completed, with only a small section remaining.
He added that more than 100 electric buses were expected to arrive in Sindh by the end of November, while double-decker buses would also reach the province soon. Construction of the depot for the Red Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project was also progressing rapidly, he said.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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