Transforming Sindh: Bilawal reviews strategic uplift project plans
KARACHI: Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting to review a series of strategic development projects destined to accelerate Sindh’s economic growth, attracting international investment and transforming the province into a regional hub for infrastructure, finance, technology and sustainable development.
The meeting, held at Bilawal House here, was attended by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Sindh Agriculture Minister Sardar Muhammad Bakhsh Mahar, Sindh Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Agha Wasif and other senior officials.
The chief minister briefed the PPP Chairman on three major strategic projects proposed under the province’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework, which were designed to drive long-term economic growth, enhance exports and create large-scale employment opportunities.
The meeting reviewed the proposed Keti Bandar Integrated Corridor, a long-term mega project to develop Keti Bandar into a world-class maritime, logistics, industrial and energy hub.
According to the briefing, the project envisages the development of modern port infrastructure, logistics facilities, industrial zones, energy projects, fisheries and tourism to boost Sindh’s blue economy, increasing exports, generating employment and attracting both domestic and foreign investment.
Participants also reviewed the proposed Sindh International Financial Centre (SIFC), which will strengthen Karachi’s position as Pakistan’s financial capital by promoting infrastructure finance, Islamic finance, climate finance, financial technology (FinTech), international trade services and commercial dispute resolution.
Officials said the project is expected to attract significant investment in infrastructure, housing, technology, industrial development and climate-resilient projects while boosting investor confidence.
The meeting also discussed a Data Infrastructure Initiative for capitalising on Sindh’s abundant renewable energy resources by establishing renewable energy-powered data centres, cloud computing facilities, artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure and digital technology parks.
The initiative will help attract leading global technology companies and position Sindh as a regional destination for sustainable digital infrastructure and high-tech investment.
Sindh Agriculture Minister Sardar Muhammad Bakhsh Mahar briefed the meeting on a proposed Farmers’ Agricultural Collectives initiative designed to organise small farmers through democratic and legally recognised cooperative structures.
The project is to improve agricultural productivity by promoting the shared use of farm machinery, efficient water management, renewable energy solutions, digital advisory services, improved market access, financial inclusion and technical assistance.
Officials said the initiative would also focus on climate-resilient agriculture, rural employment and increasing farmers’ incomes through modern, collaborative farming practices.
The meeting concluded that successful implementation of these large-scale projects would require stronger institutional capacity and specialised technical expertise.
Participants endorsed a proposal to transform the existing PPP Unit into an independent company, enabling it to recruit highly qualified professionals from the market and manage complex strategic PPP projects with greater administrative flexibility.
It was also decided to engage internationally renowned transaction advisers to prepare comprehensive feasibility studies, develop project structures and legal frameworks in line with global standards, and assist the Sindh government in attracting credible local and international investors.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said the proposed projects reflected Sindh’s long-term vision for sustainable economic transformation and inclusive growth.
He reaffirmed the provincial leadership’s commitment to creating a globally competitive investment environment through world-class public-private partnerships, innovation and sustainable development.
Bilawal said the successful execution of these initiatives would not only accelerate economic activity in Sindh but generate high-quality employment, increase exports, attract foreign investment and contribute significantly to Pakistan’s overall economic development.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026