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KARACHI, Jul 25 (APP):Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, in a high-level meeting with a World Bank (WB) delegation led by Regional Vice President for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan (MENAAP) Ousmane Dino, expressed deep appreciation for the Bank’s continued partnership, particularly its robust support during and after the catastrophic floods of 2022.
The meeting held at CM House was attended by Provincial Ministers, Sharjeel Memon, Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, Nasir Shah, Sardar Shah, Saeed Ghani, Jam Khan Shoro, Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab, Special Assistant to CM Saleem Baloch, PSCM Agha Wasif, Chairman P&D Najam Shah, Secretary Local Govt Wseem Shahmshad, and others.
The World Bank delegation includes Country Director Bolormaa Amgaabazar, Special Assistant to Regional Vice President Lobna Hadji, Regional Practice Director Ms Faida M. Saadah, and Regional Practice Director Ms Almud Weitz and others.
The Chief Minister highlighted the strong collaboration between the Government of Sindh and the World Bank across multiple development sectors, with the Bank’s total active portfolio in the province now standing at $4.012 billion.
“The World Bank has been an essential partner in Sindh’s development journey,” said the CM. “Their timely support during the flood recovery period, and their sustained engagement across key sectors have been instrumental in helping us meet our goals,” he added.
The World Bank is currently supporting Sindh in a broad range of sectors, including Sindh People’s Housing for Flood Affectees, education, health, agriculture, rural WASH, Karachi urban infrastructure, energy, social protection, and post-flood reconstruction.
The Chief Minister emphasised the provincial government’s development priorities, particularly in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), health, education, energy, and investment in human capital.
Despite the productive collaboration, the Chief Minister also flagged several challenges requiring urgent attention:
Shah noted the absence of a dedicated World Bank Procurement Specialist in Karachi following the untimely passing of Uzma Sadaf, who had provided critical support during project evaluations. This vacuum has led to significant delays and disruptions in procurement and evaluation processes.
The Chief Minister urged the Bank to station a qualified procurement expert in Karachi to streamline project implementation.
In 2022, Sindh, Pakistan, experienced devastating floods that affected over 12.36 million people, damaged 2.1 million houses and resulted in 1,100 deaths. The floods also caused extensive destruction to schools, roads, agriculture, and livestock.
In response, the World Bank and international partners have committed to rehabilitation efforts. They are facilitating the construction of resilient housing, with validations for 2 million of the planned 2.1 million houses completed. Over 1.3 million bank accounts have been opened for aid, and 600,000 houses have already been built.
The initiative promotes gender inclusivity, with 300,000 land titles awarded to women, and has created over one million jobs for those affected. As recovery continues, the collaboration between the government and international partners is vital for rebuilding communities and restoring livelihoods.
S Zone-Specific WASH Strategy for Climate-Resilient Development, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, discussing the WASH project, announced a targeted, technology-led WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) plan to serve rural communities based on local water availability and climate conditions.
“Each village deserves a solution tailored to its geography,” the CM said. “This strategy ensures sustainability, equity, and resilience.”
Murad Shah said that the findings show that 48 per cent villages can access groundwater sources, 38 per cent are near surface water (within 2,000 feet of canals), 23 per cent are close to LBOD/RBOD drains, and 14 per cent still need a viable water solution
The CM said that to bridge this gap, the province is divided into six WASH zones, including coastal, arid, agricultural, and flood-prone areas. Solutions are being designed using drone surveys, AI mapping, and geo-tagging, with support from partners.
A robust Monitoring & O&M system is being developed, along with the reuse of treated wastewater for mini forests and livelihood initiatives, the CM said. He stated, “This is more than infrastructure,” said CM Shah. “It’s about creating climate-resilient, dignified living for every household in Sindh.”
Highlighting the importance of modern urban transport infrastructure, the CM reiterated his government’s request for additional financing of over $170 million for the Karachi Urban Mobility Project (KUMP). The World Bank has so far committed only $86 million, falling short of the required funds to realise the project’s scope fully.
CM Shah urged the Bank to expedite the approval of the Project Operations Manual for Karachi Water and Sewerage Services Improvement Project – Phase II (KWSSIP-II). This is the only condition remaining for loan effectiveness. He called on both the World Bank and project management to ensure completion before the deadline of August 21, 2025, warning against any further extensions.
SELECT Project: Under the Sindh Early Learning Enhancement through Classroom Transformation (SELECT) project, all school construction contracts have been signed. However, due to implementation delays, they cannot be completed by the original loan closing date of April 30, 2026. The CM requested a one-year extension until April 2027 to ensure successful completion. The World Bank delegation agreed to extend the project after meeting the required formalities. The Strengthening Social Protection Delivery Systems in Sindh project, which is progressing well and now includes seven additional districts, is currently set to close in December 2027. Given the scale and recent momentum, the CM requested a one-year extension to fully realise project objectives.
The Chief Minister emphasised that Sindh remains committed to enhancing institutional capacity and transparency in project implementation. He thanked the World Bank for its continued support and called for sustained collaboration and faster decision-making to ensure the timely delivery of critical development interventions across the province.
The World Bank delegation acknowledged the issues raised and assured the CM of their commitment to addressing the challenges and advancing mutual development priorities.