Sindh cabinet clears Rs11.2b package for 11 Karachi mega projects

The Sindh cabinet on Tuesday approved a Rs11.198 billion package for 11 non-annual development programme (ADP) mega infrastructure projects in Karachi, alongside Rs8.825b for water supply and sanitation schemes across the province.

According to a press release from the Chief Minister’s House, the Sindh cabinet, chaired by CM Shah, also approved a wide-ranging set of development, energy, and governance measures, including new reforms in gas royalty management and fresh allocations for health and security institutions.

According to the statement, the meeting was attended by provincial ministers, advisers, special assistants, the chief secretary and senior officials.

Rs11.198 billion was approved for 11 major non-ADP projects under Karachi’s mega infrastructure programme, including rehabilitation of key roads such as Haji Ibrahim Essa Road, Haji Camp Road, and Korangi Link Road, as well as upgrades to Clifton’s coastal roads linked to the Marine Drive project.

The meeting also approved several major transport and connectivity schemes, including the upgradation of Meharan and Pajero roads in Scheme 33, the development of Korangi Creek Airbase Road and Gulzar-e-Hijri extension on Jinnah Avenue, the construction of a bridge at Power House Chowrangi in North Karachi, and a flyover at K-4 Chowrangi, Surjani Town.

The cabinet approved additional funding of Rs8.825b for water supply and sanitation schemes across the province. Officials said the allocations would be drawn from ADP block allocations and other development funds.

According to the press release, Rs560 million was released for the initial phase of new schemes.

CM Shah said the timely completion of development projects and the transparent use of public funds remained a top priority. “Urban infrastructure improvement is among the government’s foremost priorities,” he said, according to the statement.

Read: Govt okays Rs4.3tr development plan

He added that the government would ensure efficient delivery of public services and strict monitoring of development spending.

Turning to the energy sector, the cabinet approved a framework for receiving 12.5% gas royalty “in-kind” instead of cash from selected gas fields. Officials said the system would allow the province to take physical gas, sell it at market-linked prices, and potentially generate over Rs26b in additional annual revenue.

A committee was formed under the Energy Secretary to develop a detailed mechanism for the collection, distribution, and commercialisation of royalty gas, with recommendations due within 30 days.

The cabinet approved Rs395m for Integrated Health Services to clear outstanding payments for outsourced health facilities, including rural health centres and tehsil hospitals.

According to the statement, Sindh also endorsed a long-term Nursing Workforce Strategic Policy (2026–2040) aimed at addressing staffing shortages, improving training standards and expanding nursing education infrastructure.

The meeting noted that Sindh currently has around 34,817 registered nurses and midwives, with officials highlighting a significant gap compared to World Health Organisation benchmarks.

To strengthen counter-terrorism capacity, the cabinet approved amendments to the procurement plan of the Counter Terrorism Department worth over Rs8.57b, including direct contracting with the National Radio and Telecommunication Corporation for advanced equipment.

The cabinet also approved a Rs485m development plan for Sehwan, including restoration works at the shrine of Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, Lal Bagh and civic infrastructure upgrades. An initial tranche of Rs 242.5m was sanctioned for the project, which aims to improve facilities around the shrine and surrounding areas.

Separately, the cabinet approved the appointment of retired judge Rashida Siddiqui as a legal consultant for three years, and cleared the appointment of Barrister Syed Ghulam Shabbir Shah as the Sindh prosecutor general.