KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and the World Bank’s Country Director, Bolormaa Amgaabazar, have reviewed progress on development projects worth USD3.85 billion being implemented across the province with the bank’s financial assistance, reaffirming their commitment to completing the schemes within their stipulated timelines.
During a meeting in Karachi, the two sides examined the progress of ongoing projects in health, education, agriculture, irrigation, water supply, sanitation and urban development.
The meeting reviewed 12 active operations, comprising 11 Investment Project Financing projects and one Programme-for-Results operation, with a combined commitment of USD3.849 billion. Of this amount, USD2.334 billion had been disbursed, while USD1.571 billion remained un-disbursed.
The participants also examined the financial and procurement performance of the projects, including the 2026-27 disbursement target of USD381.2 million, with a stretch target of USD434.2 million. Actual disbursements stood at USD43.2 million.
Chief Minister Murad Shah reaffirmed his government’s commitment to working closely with the World Bank to accelerate implementation, resolve administrative and financial bottlenecks and ensure that development investments translate into improved public services.
Murad Ali Shah said his government was committed to strengthening its development partnership with the World Bank and ensuring that investments translated into tangible improvements in people’s lives.
He also announced that he would personally monitor efforts to resolve obstacles affecting project implementation.
The meeting also reviewed fund-release targets for World Bank-funded projects during the 2026-27 fiscal year. The chief minister instructed departments to speed up procurement procedures, improve contract management and immediately initiate work on approved schemes.
The meeting reviewed Second Karachi Water and Sewerage Services Improvement Project (KWSSIP-2), of USD240 million, with particular attention to the K-IV associated facilities.
The review noted that environmental and social instruments for the associated facilities had been prepared and submitted to the World Bank for clearance, while compliance monitoring was continuing.
The revalidation survey for the K-IV augmentation resettlement action plan is scheduled to proceed shortly. The contract is expected to be signed on December 5, with the census and survey planned from December 21, 2026, to February 20, 2027.
The meeting also reviewed the financial and operational reforms of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation. Several regulatory measures have been approved, while others, including service and wastewater recycling and reuse regulations, remain pending.
The earlier Karachi Water and Sewerage Services Improvement Project (KWSSIP), which has closed, was also reviewed in terms of its outstanding completion activities. Rectification of the Dhabeji Rising Main has been completed, and chlorination stations have been relocated, commissioned and handed over to KW&SC.
The second phase of water-quality testing is underway, while Soba Nagar and Essa Nagri water and sanitation works are expected to be completed by November 15 and December 31, respectively. Customer service centres are ready for inauguration by the end of November.
Murad Ali Shah said addressing Karachi’s water and sanitation challenges remained among the provincial government’s key priorities.
The meeting also reviewed implementation of the Sindh Integrated Health and Population Project, including the procurement of 104 ambulances and medical equipment for healthcare facilities across the province.
The chief minister directed officials to complete healthcare projects within their timelines and ensure improved medical facilities for women and children in underserved areas. Progress on the maternal and child support programme was also examined.
Officials informed the meeting that the programme’s payment system for deserving families would be linked with NADRA’s database to improve the management and delivery of financial assistance.
The Sindh Water and Agriculture Transformation Project was another key item on the meeting’s agenda.
The chief minister emphasised the efficient use of water resources and improvements in irrigation infrastructure to strengthen agricultural productivity.
Progress on assistance programmes for farmers affected by the 2022 floods was reviewed. Officials informed the meeting that financial payments had already been made to 249,861 affected farmers.
The meeting also discussed procurement procedures for the rehabilitation of Akram Wah and the Sindh Strategic Water Plan.
Murad Ali Shah said modernising the irrigation system and improving water management were essential for agricultural development and protecting communities from water-related risks.
Progress on the Sindh Barrages Improvement Project was also reviewed, with particular attention to rehabilitation and safety measures at Guddu and Sukkur barrages.
The meeting discussed improvements in barrage operations, maintenance, sediment and sand management, strengthening the Barrage Management Unit and conducting technical studies.
The chief minister stressed the need to modernise irrigation infrastructure and ensure the effective utilisation of available water resources.
The meeting examined the Sindh Early Learning Enhancement through Classroom Transformation Project, focusing on improving the quality of early-grade education.
Murad Ali Shah directed officials to accelerate construction work on the remaining schools and ensure that all facilities were made fully operational. He also emphasised improving school environments and raising educational standards, particularly at the primary level.
The Sindh Livestock and Aquaculture Sectors Transformation Project was reviewed, including progress on veterinary laboratories, mobile veterinary ambulances and measures to prevent livestock diseases.
The meeting also discussed support programmes for livestock farmers and producer groups to improve productivity across the province.
The Karachi Mobility Project, which includes the Yellow Bus Rapid Transit corridor and associated road infrastructure, was reviewed with particular attention to the Jam Sadiq Bridge and bus depots.
The newly constructed Taj Haider Bridge was opened to traffic in October 2025, while dismantling of the old bridge was in progress. The overall physical progress of the bridge project stood at 73.9 percent against a planned 92.7 percent, with completion scheduled for March 29, 2027.
Work on the two Yellow Corridor bus depots is progressing at different stages. Depot-1 had achieved 17.57 percent progress against a planned 93.6 percent, while Depot-2 had achieved 46.66 percent against a planned 100 percent. Procurement for the BRT corridor packages is also moving forward: negotiations for Package 3B had commenced, while the combined evaluation of financial bids for Package 3A was underway. Technical bids for the two-lot Phase-II package were opened and are under evaluation.
The Solid Waste Emergency and Efficiency Project (SWEEP) was reviewed following the launch of operations at Cell-1 of the Jam Chakro landfill on October 19. The remaining landfill cells are at an advanced stage, and completion of the full landfill site is expected by November 30. Three garbage transfer stations at Sharafi Goth, Imtiaz and Gutter Baghicha are progressing towards completion by the same date.
The landfill operations plan has been approved, while the garbage transfer station operations plan and a proposal for user-fee collection remain pending.
Health projects: The Sindh Integrated Health and Population Project (SIHPP) of USD196.7 million was reviewed in detail. The project has nine civil works contracts, all of which have been signed, with construction activities underway.
The reconstruction and rehabilitation of health facilities across the province also came under discussion.
The reported delays in the reconstruction of 12 Tehsil Headquarters hospitals are due to late handover of sites, tree-cutting and clearance issues, shifting of electricity poles and location-related complications at THQ Diplo. Overall completion of the 12 facilities is anticipated by September 2027.
The procurement of 104 ambulances is also progressing. The contract is expected to be signed by January 1, 2027. The meeting also reviewed nutrition interventions, including the MoU signed between the Sindh government and UNICEF for the procurement of supplies.
Water resources, irrigation and agriculture: The Sindh Water and Agriculture Transformation Project (SWAT) of USD292 million was reviewed with a focus on the Akram Wah rehabilitation, water-resource management and agricultural support.
The negotiations with the most advantageous bidders for Akram Wah rehabilitation had resulted in a reduction of approximately Rs2 billion against the bid prices. However, SIDA decided to cancel the tendering process and requested the World Bank to reconsider funding and allow fresh procurement. At this, the World Bank Country Director said that the Bank would respond shortly.
Under the agricultural flood emergency rehabilitation component, 249,861 farmers had received payments, with the payment exercise completed in June 2026. The project also includes preparation of the Sindh Strategic Water Plan and progress on water-sector reforms, while the draft Water Bill is under the approval process.
The Sindh Barrages Improvement Project, covering the rehabilitation and improved operation of Guddu and Sukkur barrages, was also discussed. The project team has finalised and shared an updated operations and maintenance scorecard with the World Bank.
However, the notification of target pond levels and implementation of sediment flushing remain delayed. The Irrigation Department is also working to strengthen the Barrage Management Unit and address financial-management and staffing requirements.
Education and social protection: The Sindh Early Learning Enhancement through Classroom Transformation project (SELECT) was reviewed with a focus on school infrastructure, teacher training and education-system reforms. Out of 295 targeted schools, civil works have been completed in 190, while 140 have been formally handed over with furniture.
The remaining 105 schools are scheduled for phased handover: 42 in November, 48 in December 2026 and 15 in January 2027. Outstanding furniture delivery and installation are expected to be completed by February 2027.
The project has also trained 250 Guide Teachers and 692 Subject Coordinators, followed by 6,377 subject teachers, to support the expansion of continuous professional development across 232 additional clusters.
Under the School Attendance Monitoring and Reporting System, 4,988 schools have received training, of which 2,568 were actively reporting student attendance as of October 22.
The Strengthening Social Protection Delivery System project was reviewed in terms of beneficiary registration, payment mechanisms and expansion of health-facility services. More than 1.4 million beneficiaries have been registered against a revised target of 2.5 million.
The predictable payment mechanism has been developed and tested, with integration with NADRA completed and field rollout planned from November 1. A total of 59 health facilities are operational, while 22 are yet to become operational. Implementation at DHQ and THQ hospitals through PPHI is expected to begin in December 2026.
Livestock and aquaculture: The Sindh Livestock and Aquaculture Sectors Transformation Project (LIVAQUA) was reviewed, particularly its procurement and field implementation activities.
Contracts for implementation-support consultants have been signed, and the consultants mobilised. Technical evaluation reports for several veterinary equipment and laboratory procurements have been finalised and shared with the World Bank.
The bid for the vaccine production unit at the Sindh Institute of Animal Health is being launched in the first week of November. Fabrication of 65 mobile veterinary units is underway, with completion expected within 90 days.
The project has also vaccinated 40 percent of the targeted 2.1 million animals against trans-boundary animal diseases. Rehabilitation needs for 149 milk collection centres have been assessed, and the procurement process is expected to begin shortly.
Flood housing reconstruction and rehabilitation: The Sindh Flood Emergency Housing Reconstruction Project, with a commitment of USD950 million, was reviewed in relation to housing reconstruction grants and supporting interventions for flood-affected communities.
The completion of main preparatory actions, including documentation for support to persons with disabilities, environmental and social management arrangements, stakeholder engagement and social mobilisation strategies. The World Bank will also finance WASH pilots in settlements where at least 80 percent of households are beneficiaries of the housing programme.
The Sindh Flood Emergency Rehabilitation Project was reviewed for the sustainability of water-supply and drainage schemes and the preparation of a follow-on flood-resilience initiative.
Procurement and implementation targets: The meeting reviewed the overall procurement position, which showed planned procurement activities estimated at USD3.701 billion. Of 437 contracts worth USD1.409 billion had been signed, while 141 contracts of USD417 million were under implementation. Another 174 approved contracts, valued at USD228 million, were pending implementation.
World Bank Country Director Ms Bolormaa Amgaabazar appreciated the partnership with the Sindh government and reviewed the project-wise implementation challenges, disbursement targets and actions required to improve delivery.
The Chief Minister directed the concerned departments to remain focused on agreed milestones, address pending issues and accelerate implementation so that the benefits of the development portfolio reach people across Sindh.
The meeting was attended by provincial ministers, the Chief Secretary, World Bank Sector experts, and other concerned.