KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Tuesday presided over a provincial Cabinet meeting focused on public healthcare, institutional reforms, revenue mobilization, and post-flood housing reconstruction.
The major proposals included a World Bank-supported programme to increase property-tax collection in Karachi’s 25 Town Municipal Corporations from Rs2.3 billion to Rs25.5 billion, and a €115 million European Investment Bank financing package for the third phase of Sindh’s flood housing reconstruction project.
Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah briefed the Sindh Cabinet on the outcomes of his recent China visit, highlighting investment opportunities and cooperation in energy, agriculture, water management, education, healthcare, industry and digital technology.
The Shanghai Sindh Investment and Trade Conference attracted over 400 delegates and resulted in 36 MoUs - 12 with the Sindh government, five with Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company and 19 involving private-sector companies. The partnerships cover energy, mining, manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, education and digital infrastructure.
The Chief Minister also briefed the Cabinet on cooperation with Huawei following his visit to its approximately 1,000-acre technology campus near Shanghai, which accommodates 30,000 to 35,000 employees and includes offices, housing, hospitals, schools and transport facilities. A MoU was signed to promote cooperation in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, smart cities, digital governance and AI-enabled smart parks.
In a significant decision concerning transparency and accountability, the cabinet decided to make public the report of the Mir Raza Ali Inquiry Commission, which had been submitted in seven separate envelopes.
The cabinet directed that the report be uploaded to the Home Department’s website on October 20, while a hard copy would also be provided to the affected family.
The cabinet approved a package of reforms to the Sindh Public Service Commission following concerns raised by candidates over recruitment procedures and examination arrangements.
Under the approved measures, the upper age limit for the Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) has been increased from 30 to 33 years, while the number of permissible attempts has been raised from three to five.
The cabinet approved the negotiated package for the World Bank-supported Sindh Property Revenue Enhancement Programme (Sindh-PREP), a major initiative to modernise property-tax collection, improve compliance and strengthen municipal financial management.
The programme carries World Bank financing of $150 million, comprising $110 million for the Programme-for-Results component and $40 million for investment project financing.
The Cabinet considered the additional financing package from the European Investment Bank (EIB) for Phase III of the Sindh Flood Emergency Housing Reconstruction Project.
The cabinet approved handing over the management of District Headquarters Hospital Sujawal to the Medical Emergency Resilience Foundation (MERF) for five years under a public-private partnership arrangement.
It also approved a five-year extension of MERF’s management of DHQ/Teaching Hospital Thatta and seven health facilities in Thatta district, effective July 1, 2026.
The cabinet also approved the operationalisation of Chanesar Dispensary and Maternity Home through the Indus Hospital and Health Network (IHHN).
The Cabinet considered the draft Sindh Government Lands Management Act and its proposed implementation framework, covering the allotment, leasing and management of government land for industrial, residential, commercial and public purposes.
The Cabinet also discussed the treatment of existing leases, development timelines, public-private partnership projects and mechanisms for appeals and legal compliance.
The Cabinet approved amendments to the Sindh Councils Unified Grades (Service) Rules, 2020, to update provisions governing the posting of officers and officials in local councils.
The Cabinet approved the Sindh Policy for Receipt and Disposal of Natural Gas Royalty In-Kind 2026, enabling the provincial government to explore receiving its constitutional 12.5 per cent natural gas royalty in gas rather than cash, subject to commercial viability and protection of existing provincial revenue.
The arrangements are intended to improve stock distribution and help maintain the supply of wheat and flour across the province.
Comments