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KARACHI, Oct 06 (APP):Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, presiding over a cabinet meeting, made several significant decisions, including holding the government servants’ Benevolent Fund (BF) notification in abeyance, approving a surrender policy for dacoits in the kutcha area, establishing the wheat release policy for 2025–26, resuming Infrastructure Cess collection from oil companies, regularising LBOD employees, imposing a complete ban on tyre pyrolysis plants across the province, and making other important administrative moves.
The meeting held at CM House, was attended by Provincial ministers, advisers, special assistants, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, and other officers.
On the instructions of Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and in response to the demands raised by various employee forums through the Sindh Employees Alliance (SEA), the Provincial Cabinet approved the suspension of the Finance Department notifications regarding pension reforms, effective from their respective issuance dates including FD(SR-III) 3-230/2013-2022 dated 31st July 2025, FD (SR-III)3-2962/2025 dated 6th August 2025, and FD (SR-III)3-2962/2025 dated 18th August 2025.
The Cabinet also instructed the Chief Secretary of Sindh to form a committee comprising officers from relevant departments and representatives of the SEA to evaluate the government employees’ requests. The Secretary of Finance will submit a proposal to the Cabinet based on their review.
Regarding the Benevolent Fund, the Cabinet agreed in principle to restructure its payment mechanism to align it with GP fund payments upon retirement. The Secretary GA will present a detailed proposal, including financial implications, at the next Cabinet meeting.
Additionally, the Cabinet directed the Secretary of Finance to consider the employees’ request concerning Group Insurance and to propose a way forward, including an analysis of financial implications, for discussion at the next meeting.
The Sindh Cabinet approved the Surrender Policy for Dacoits in the Katcha Areas of Sukkur and Larkana Divisions aimed at consolidating peace, upholding the writ of the state, and promoting socio-economic development in the riverine belt.
The Cabinet was informed that, following successful security operations and extensive negotiations with local communities, many dacoits have expressed willingness to surrender voluntarily. The policy establishes a transparent and humane mechanism for surrender under the due process of law.
The main features of the policy include mandatory disarmament, protection of families, rehabilitation and livelihood support, and access to education, healthcare, and vocational training. The government will also revive schools, health, veterinary, and development projects in the Katcha areas to sustain peace and stability.
The Chief Minister directed the Home Department to ensure transparent implementation through Monitoring and Implementation Committees, and to carry out public awareness campaigns promoting surrender as a path to peace and reintegration.
To stabilise wheat flour prices and ensure financial discipline, the cabinet approved releasing 1.265 million metric tons of wheat to flour mills and chakkies at Rs. 9,500 per 100 kg bag. Phased releases start in October 2025, with an emphasis on transparency and market stability.
The release policy is designed to achieve two objective, to stabilise the prices of wheat flour and provide relief to the public, and to ensure financial discipline by using wheat sale proceeds to repay bank loans and reduce liabilities.
The Food Department will accordingly notify the policy and commence phased wheat releases from October 2025 onward.
The Chief Minister emphasised the need for transparent implementation to ensure benefits reach the public and prevent market manipulation.
The Sindh Cabinet considered a summary of the Excise, Taxation Department regarding the collection of Sindh Infrastructure Development Cess (IDC) on the import of petroleum products.
The Cabinet was informed that 36 oil companies, including Pakistan State Oil (PSO), are involved in the matter, with a total cess amounting to Rs. 102.545 billion – Rs. 49.736 billion pertaining to 2022–23 and Rs. 52.809 billion for 2023–26.
It was noted that the Supreme Court of Pakistan has suspended the Sindh High Court’s earlier judgment and directed oil companies to furnish Bank Guarantees equivalent to the cess amount for the release of petroleum consignments.
The Cabinet approved the proposal to withdraw the undertakings earlier submitted by PSO and other oil-importing companies and to resume the collection of Bank Guarantees as per the Supreme Court’s interim order.
The Chief Minister directed the department to ensure strict compliance with the court’s directives to protect provincial revenue and ensure the lawful implementation of the Sindh Infrastructure Development Cess Act.
The Cabinet approved the regularisation of 78, including 50 petitioners and 28 non-petitioners (Electricians and Mechanics) of the Left Bank Outfall Drain (LBOD) project contingent employees.
These employees had been serving on a contingent paid basis since the transfer of the LBOD project from WAPDA to the Sindh Government. Their cases were reconsidered following directives of the Sindh High Court, which observed that their long and satisfactory service, along with the 2018 statute, entitled them to regularisation.
The Chief Minister directed that the process be completed transparently and in accordance with court orders and legal formalities.
The Cabinet approved the complete ban on the operation of tyre pyrolysis plants across the province to curb severe air pollution and protect public health. The firms involved in the business were asked to close their business within a month.
The decision, taken on the recommendation of the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), follows reports linking pyrolysis activities to the release of toxic pollutants and hazardous emissions contributing to Karachi’s deteriorating air quality.
The Cabinet also approved the “Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (Prevention of Use of Sub-Standard Fuel/Tyres) Rules, 2025” under the Sindh Environmental Protection Act, 2014, providing a regulatory framework to prohibit the production, sale, and use of substandard fuels, including Tyre Pyrolysis Oil (TPO).
The Sindh Cabinet discussed a major fiscal reform proposal to shift the Urban Immovable Property Tax (UIPT) assessment system from Annual Rental Value (ARV) to Capital Value (CV) basis, aligning with IMF-backed national tax harmonisation efforts and practices adopted by Punjab.
The Cabinet was told that the existing ARV-based system, unchanged since 2001, does not reflect current market realities and excludes open plots. The proposed CV-based system, already used for stamp duty and property transfer taxes, will ensure fairer valuation, a broader tax base, and enhanced revenue generation for local governments.
The transition will follow the Karachi Property Survey under the World Bank-funded CLICK Project, which is expected to add over two million new properties to the tax net by January 2026. A safeguard clause, similar to Punjab’s, will ensure that no taxpayer pays less than the previous year’s liability during the transition phase. The cabinet directed the Local Government Department to prepare a draft law for the cabinet.
The Chief Minister said the reform aims to make property taxation more equitable, transparent, and sustainable, while strengthening municipal finances across Sindh.
The Sindh Cabinet approved the waiver of the death certificate registration fee for the general public across Sindh at the Municipal, Union Council, and Town Committee levels.
The decision follows the earlier Cabinet approval of free birth registration in September 2024, in line with Sindh’s commitment to the United Nations and international partners for improving Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) coverage.
Under the new arrangement, the Government of Sindh will bear the cost of NADRA’s service charges, ensuring that citizens can obtain death certificates free of cost. This step aims to facilitate citizens, promote digital registration of vital events under the Sindh Local Government Act, 2013, and strengthen the province’s CRVS system.
The cabinet approved important amendments to the Sindh Letters of Administration and Succession Certificates Act and Rules, 2021, to streamline the issuance of inheritance documents. The amendments aim to remove procedural gaps, especially for minor and mentally disabled heirs, and to make the process more transparent and efficient.
Major changes include deletion of the clause treating the presence of a minor as a legal “controversy. Applications may be filed by heirs or their Power of Attorney with the required documents. Certificates for minor or mentally disabled heirs will take effect only after a Guardianship Certificate is issued under the Guardian and Wards Act, 1890. False declarations will be punishable under Section 198 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
The Chief Minister said these reforms will make the system more accessible, transparent, and people-friendly, protecting the rights of all legal heirs.
The Cabinet approved an amendment in the composition of the Sindh Information Technology Company (SITC) Board of Directors.
The Cabinet accepted the resignation of Uzair Bawani, Independent Director of the SITC Board, tendered due to personal reasons and appointed Mr Naeem Zamindar for appointment as an Independent Director.
The Sindh Cabinet approved the reconstitution of the 3rd Senior Citizen Council for a three-year term under the Sindh Senior Citizens Welfare Act, 2014 (amended 2023).
The Council, headed by the Minister for Social Welfare with the Secretary of Social Welfare as Member/Secretary, will frame policies and suggest measures for the welfare of senior citizens, including the issuance of Senior Citizen Cards. Members include Secretaries of the Finance, Health, Local Government, Zakat & Usher, Transport, and Food & Agriculture Departments, as well as MPAs nominated by the Speaker. There will be five private members.
The Chief Minister said the Council’s reconstitution will help strengthen welfare measures for senior citizens across Sindh.
Sindh govt takes over Aghosh Special Children School. The Cabinet approved the transfer of administrative control of Aghosh Special Children Higher Secondary School, Gulshan-e-Hadeed, Bin Qasim, Karachi, from Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) to the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPD).
The decision follows PSM’s willingness to hand over its educational institutions to the Sindh government as part of its retrenchment policy. The school currently serves 252 differently abled students and employs 52 staff members.
The Cabinet approved an allocation of Rs. 53.40 million for staff salaries, operating expenses, and maintenance for FY 2025–26 from DEPD’s block allocation. The arrangement will initially cover a 10-year term, extendable through mutual agreement.
The Chief Minister directed that the transition ensure continuity of education and care for differently abled students without disruption.
The Cabinet approved establishing a Section 42 company at NED University to promote the commercialisation of research and innovation. The company will facilitate industry outreach and technology transfer, supported by Rs. 97 million seed funding. Its board will comprise the Vice Chancellor, senior faculty, and external industry experts. The Chief Minister praised the move to strengthen industry-academia links and Sindh’s innovation ecosystem.
Sindh Enterprise Development Fund (SEDF). The Cabinet approved the reconstitution of the Board of Directors of the Sindh Enterprise Development Fund (SEDF).
Under the new composition, the Minister/Advisor/Special Assistant for Investment will serve as Chairman of the Board.
The Secretary Investment, Secretary Planning & Development, and Director General of the PPP Unit will serve as members, while the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SEDF will act as Member/Secretary.
The Cabinet also approved the appointment of independent members, including Usman Almani, Mayhar Mustafa Kazi, Usman Javed Mirza, and Mehreen Ubaid Agha.