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KARACHI, Jul 28 (APP):Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Monday outlined a comprehensive vision for law enforcement reform, public welfare, and post-flood recovery during a meeting with Civil Service Academy probationary officers and senior officials at the CM House.
His address reflected a blend of security modernisation and development aimed at addressing both persistent and emerging challenges across the province.
The CM Murad Shah revealed a substantial development budget, including Rs. 366.75 billion for foreign-funded projects, with the Sindh government investing heavily in expanding Karachi’s Road network, building new flyovers, underpasses, and implementing landmark projects such as the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system and the People’s Bus Service. New sewage, water supply, and solid waste management upgrades are ongoing, further enhancing urban infrastructure.
Highlighting the devastation caused by the 2022 floods, Shah noted that 12.4 million residents were impacted, with 5 million pushed below the poverty line and 2.1 million homes damaged. In response, the province has mobilised extensive rehabilitation resources, including $1.497 billion for Sindh Flood Emergency Housing Reconstruction, targeting the reconstruction of 1.14 million homes. $530 million for the Sindh Flood Emergency Rehabilitation Project (SFERP), rejuvenating rural roads, water supply, and irrigation infrastructure. Additional investments include $200 million for Emergency Flood Assistance (rehabilitation of inter-district roads), $230 million for the Sindh Water & Agriculture Transformation Project, and $275 million to rebuild 1,600 secondary schools.
These efforts are reinforced by the establishment of a unified social protection registry and programmes focused on healthcare, family planning, and agriculture, demonstrating the government’s commitment to public welfare and recovery, the CM said.
Murad Shah celebrated Sindh Police’s historic legacy as Pakistan’s second-largest force, with 162,000 personnel and the nation’s highest number of police martyrs, 2,549, reflecting decades of service and sacrifice. Addressing lawlessness in the Kacha area, a haven for criminals due to difficult terrain and tribal disputes, he emphasised the government’s strategy to build bridges, improve roads, and bolster police mobility. “Notably, the completion of the Kandkot-Ghotki Bridge is set to shift the security landscape in upper Sindh,” he said.
The Chief Minister spoke on tangible progress in counterterrorism, including the capture of those behind major attacks on Chinese workers and the neutralisation of terror plots from notorious groups. Modernisation efforts include a Rs. 772 million Fusion Centre equipped with open-source intelligence, data analytics, and digital forensics, enhancing investigative and operational capacity. Hundreds of new vehicles and advanced surveillance gadgets- like AI-powered CCTV and facial recognition at 42 toll plazas- have been deployed. A dedicated Sindh Police Highway Patrol (SPHP) with 2,000 personnel and 100 vehicles now secures highways, supported by an ambitious Rs. 34 billion multi-phase programmes to install 12,000 surveillance cameras.
In an unprecedented move, Rs. 6 billion has been allocated directly to police stations, providing station officers with fiscal autonomy, the Chief Minister said. He added that model station renovations and the rollout of a Rs. 4.9 billion health insurance packages, covering officers and their families, demonstrate a renewed focus on police welfare.
The “Shaheed Package” for families of fallen officers has been increased, investigation allowances introduced, and a province-wide cadre of specialised Investigation Officers is now in service, with regular judicial training, he said.
To professionally handle civil disturbances, Murad Shah said that his government has established a Crisis Management Unit trained by Turkey’s Anti-Riot Force, equipped with 2,000 anti-riot kits and incorporating female officers. Recruitment of 2,000 new constables is ongoing.
The Chief Minister said that his government is advancing major initiatives in urban sustainability, education, and climate action.
Discussing the solid waste emergency project of $100 million, the CM said that improving urban waste management through emergency response, building state-of-the-art landfill sites at Jam Chakro and Dhabeji, and strengthening solid waste infrastructure to reduce pollution and enhance city sanitation.
Shah said that enhancing early grade education by boosting student transitions and attendance, improving reading and numeracy in grade-3, transforming teaching practices, upgrading schools, and building management capacity has been started.
Murad Shah said that conserving 225,000 hectares in the Indus Delta to reduce 127 million tonnes of CO2 emissions, with verified carbon credits generating revenue for the government.
The Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah’s initiatives underscore his government’s resolve to foster secure, resilient communities, grounded in technological innovation, human development, and post-disaster recovery, shaping a safer and more prosperous future for millions across Sindh.