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KARACHI, Jul 08 (APP):Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, presiding over a meeting of the provincial cabinet at the CM House, approved a series of transformative development initiatives aimed at tackling Karachi’s water crisis, strengthening the agriculture sector, boosting industrial growth, and enhancing regional connectivity.
The cabinet deliberated on 52 agenda items, endorsing most of them with strategic directives for immediate implementation.
The meeting was attended by provincial ministers, advisors, special assistants, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, and senior officers from concerned departments.
To address Karachi’s worsening water shortages particularly in DHA, where residents receive only 4–5 MGD against growing demand the cabinet approved a Rs 10.56 billion interest-free loan for the Water and Sewerage Corporation (W&SC).
The project entails laying a 36-km dedicated pipeline from Dumlottee to DHA, along with the construction of a pumping station, forebay, and filtration plant. Approved by KW&SC’s board in February 2025, the CM directed the authority to complete the project within 11 months, stressing the urgency of long-term water solutions for the city’s rapidly expanding population.
The cabinet endorsed the Sindh Agricultural Income Tax Rules, 2025, introducing clear procedures for registration, e-filing, and record-keeping by agricultural income earners.
Under the new rules: Agricultural owners must register with the Sindh Revenue Board using Form AIT-01. Tax returns (Form AIT-03) must be submitted with evidence of payment. Detailed records must be maintained in Urdu, Sindhi, or English. Losses in calamity-affected areas can be carried forward to subsequent years.
A subcommittee comprising the ministers of agriculture, law, and works & services was formed to finalise the draft for enforcement, aiming to modernise compliance and boost provincial revenue.
E-Stamp Rules Amended for Paperless Property Registration: In a move towards digital governance, the cabinet approved an amendment to the Sindh E-Stamp Rules, 2020, eliminating the requirement for physical e-stamp paper in areas with an operational e-registration system.
The amendment enables digital verification of stamp duty payments and ensures integration between the e-stamping and e-registration systems. Already active in 51 sub-registrar offices, this paperless initiative will streamline property transactions and reduce processing times.
The cabinet increased the Flood Emergency Response Component (FERC) allocation from Rs 21.56 billion to Rs 27.67 billion, benefiting 151,147 verified farmers impacted by the 2022 floods. So far, three disbursement phases have taken place, with Rs 6.1 billion now allocated for the remaining verified farmers.
An additional Rs 2.37 billion in savings will be channelled through the Benazir Hari Card to further support the agriculture sector.
The cabinet authorised the Agriculture Department to sign an MoU with Sindh Bank for launching the Benazir Hari Card. This targeted initiative will provide subsidies on agricultural inputs, Soft agricultural loans, Disaster-related cash support, Priority access to solar tube wells and crop insurance.
Registration has begun, with 237,125 farmers already enrolled. Of these, 88,871 applications have been verified for onward processing and card issuance.
Rs 45 Billion Railway Link to Boost Thar Coal Transport: To accelerate coal transport from Thar to the port, the cabinet approved Rs 45.02 billion for a railway project linking Islamkot (Thar Coalfield) to Chorr, as part of a joint venture with the federal government.
The project includes a 105-km rail line, a 9-km dual track from Bin Qasim to Port Qasim, and a coal unloading terminal. The federal government has already allocated Rs 7 billion in PSDP 2025–26, which the CM approved for immediate release.
This two-year project will strengthen Pakistan’s energy infrastructure and stimulate industrial growth in the region.
To generate employment and attract private investment, the cabinet approved the establishment of New Industrial Enclaves on 951 acres in District Hyderabad under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. Over 55,000 jobs (direct and indirect) are expected.Advisory consultants have been hired for feasibility and transaction structuring.
The cabinet directed the transfer of land to the Sindh Economic Zones Management Company (SEZMC), with the Finance Department to pay Rs 3.54 billion for the land.
The cabinet approved the allocation of 248 acres for the Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway (M-6), valued at Rs 667.23 million. Additional reservations were authorised across Jamshoro, Matiari, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sukkur, and Naushahro Feroze, subject to departmental NOCs.
The Chief Minister also authorised bridge financing if necessary to ensure the smooth implementation of this vital national connectivity project.
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah reaffirmed his government’s dedication to inclusive and sustainable development, describing the approved initiatives as cornerstones of progress that address both immediate needs and long-term resilience. He instructed all departments to guarantee transparent execution, interdepartmental coordination, and the timely completion of approved projects.
These sweeping decisions highlight the Sindh government’s strategy to combine infrastructure development with social equity and economic opportunity.