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KARACHI, Jan 09 (APP):Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Friday reviewed the overall progress of development projects across the province and issued firm directions to all concerned departments to ensure timely completion, strict adherence to quality standards, and accelerated execution of all approved schemes.
The meeting, held at CM House, was attended by provincial ministers – Sharjeel Inam Memon, Saeed Ghani, Nasir Shah, Jam Khan Shoro, Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, PSCM Agha Wasif, Commissioner Karachi Hassan Naqvi, Chairman P&D Najam Shah, Home Secretary Iqbal Memon, DG P&D Altaf Sario and others.
Chairman Planning & Development Board Najam Shah briefed the meeting on development performance, ongoing flagship projects, and institutional reforms.
Reviewing the province’s development trajectory, the Chief Minister said that Sindh’s development budget has increased significantly – from Rs 55 billion in 2008-09 to Rs1,018 billion in 2025-26, including Rs 367 billion through Foreign Project Assistance (FPA) and Rs 76 billion under the Federal PSDP. During this period, over 13,000 development schemes were taken up, with 9,193 projects completed across roads, irrigation, WASH, education, health, agriculture, and social sectors, the meeting was told.
Expressing dissatisfaction with delays and cost overruns in some schemes, the Chief Minister directed departments to prioritise completion and functionality over new announcements, warning that negligence, poor workmanship, and weak supervision would not be tolerated.
The chief minister was briefed on major post-flood rehabilitation initiatives under the Sindh Flood Emergency Rehabilitation Project (SFERP), including the rehabilitation of 141 flood-affected roads spanning 825 kilometres, restoration of 500 water supply and drainage schemes, and completion of cash-for-work programmes benefitting over 139,000 households. He directed that climate-resilient standards under the “Build Back Better” approach be strictly enforced.
Reviewing urban sector interventions, the meeting was informed about the Karachi Neighbourhood Improvement Project (KNIP), under which roads, parks, drainage, sewerage, public spaces, and street lighting have been upgraded, significantly improving mobility, safety, and urban livability. The CM stressed that such neighborhood-level projects must be expanded to other urban centres based on documented performance and impact.
The Sindh Municipal Services Delivery Programme (MSDP) was also reviewed, with briefings on improved water supply, wastewater management, and solid waste services in Jacobabad. Murad Shah directed local governments to ensure the sustainability of assets and proper operation and maintenance after project completion.
Commending the Planning & Development Department for introducing digitisation, online approvals, GPS-based tracking, QR codes, and third-party monitoring, the Chief Minister stressed that technology must result in real-time decision-making and corrective action, not just reporting.
Shah also reviewed progress on urban master planning, directing that notified master plans be strictly enforced to control unplanned growth, protect public land, and guide infrastructure investments.
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah issued clear instructions that all departments must adhere to approved timelines and cost limits; ongoing projects must be completed before launching new schemes; quality control and third-party validation must be strengthened; and quarterly progress reports must be submitted for personal review.