KARACHI, Dec 16 (APP):Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, presiding over a cabinet meeting, approved a wide-ranging financial and development package covering public transport, policing, wheat price relief, Thar coal connectivity, internal audit reforms, social protection, and the establishment of an IT Tower in the city.
The meeting, held at CM House on Tuesday, was attended by provincial ministers, advisers, special assistants, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Principal Secretary to CM Agha Wasif and other concerned officers.
It also confirmed the minutes of the Cabinet Committee on Finance presented by Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah.
Among the major approvals, the cabinet sanctioned Rs964.4 million for the procurement and operation of public transport buses under a non-ADP scheme, Rs1 billion for the production of films, dramas and documentaries for public awareness, and Rs5.84 billion for the procurement of arms and ammunition to strengthen the capacity of Sindh Police.
The cabinet also approved funds for sports events, including assistance for the IMC Over-40s T20 Cricket World Cup, grants for SOS Children’s Village in Tharparkar, establishment of a Project Implementation Unit under STEVTA, creation of posts in newly established colleges, procurement of vehicles for Sindh Prisons, and support for cultural initiatives, including the 10th Adab Festival.
Additionally, funds were cleared for emergency water supply schemes in Malir, construction of an additional ramp at Korangi Causeway, renovation of a government girls’ school in Saddar, and hosting of the 2nd Joint CPA Asia and CPA South-East Asia Regional Conference at the Sindh Assembly.
The chief minister directed all departments to ensure the timely utilisation of funds and strict adherence to transparency and financial discipline.
The Sindh Cabinet approved a revision of the Wheat Release Policy for 2025–26, allowing the immediate release of government wheat at an issue price of Rs8,000 per 100 kg bag to flour mills, chakkies, and traders, thereby reducing the price from Rs9,500 per 100 kg.
The decision aims to ensure market stability. The CM noted that early release would help maintain wheat quality, free up storage space and support affordable flour prices for the public.
A sub-committee was constituted to closely monitor wheat prices and, if required, recommend adjustments to the government wheat issue price for cabinet consideration.
The Sindh Cabinet approved the Regulatory Framework for Internal Audit under the Sindh Public Finance Administration Act, 2020, aimed at strengthening financial discipline, transparency and governance across government departments.
It also cleared the creation of a cadre of Chief Internal Audit Officers (CIAOs) in the Finance Department and 45 CIAO posts, on contract/market-based remuneration, in the secretariat side of all administrative departments. These will be regulated by the Finance Department.
The cabinet discussed the issue of Sindh Sales Tax exemption for Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects following the expiry of the general exemption on 30 June 2025.
The cabinet was informed that the lapse of exemption has increased project costs and the Sindh government’s financial obligations due to ‘change in law’ provisions in PPP agreements. While recognising the importance of PPP projects in infrastructure and public service delivery, the cabinet decided that a blanket sales tax exemption for all PPP projects from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2030 could not be granted.
However, it agreed that sales tax exemption may be considered on a project-to-project basis. The matter was referred to the Cabinet Committee on Finance to examine the financial implications and submit recommendations to the next cabinet meeting.
The Cabinet approved the release of over Rs6.6 billion as the provincial counterpart share for the Islamkot–Chorr railway line, Bin Qasim–Port Qasim double track and coal unloading facility project, being executed as a 50:50 joint venture between the Sindh government and the federal government through the Ministry of Railways.
The cabinet noted that the project is aimed at facilitating the transportation of Thar coal to power plants and industrial consumers across Pakistan. It was further decided that a cabinet committee will visit the project site to review progress and submit a report.
Pension fund managers’ agreement for DC pension scheme
The cabinet approved the draft Pension Fund Managers Agreement for the Sindh Defined Contribution Pension Scheme (DCPS) 2024, applicable to all employees recruited on or after 1 July 2024.
The agreement will be executed by the Finance Department on behalf of the Sindh government with SECP-registered Pension Fund Managers, in accordance with the Voluntary Pension System Rules, 2005 and Sindh DCPS Rules, 2025.
Under the scheme, Pension Fund Managers will administer four sub-funds – money market, debt, equity index and equity – while providing insurance coverage of Rs1 million for natural death or disability and Rs2 million for accidental death, with annual indexation of 10 per cent.
The cabinet approved a proposal of the Home department (Prisons) for the procurement of a wireless communication system for Sindh Prisons, citing national interest and security considerations.
The cabinet noted that public disclosure of procurement details could compromise prison security. It was informed that Rs200 million has already been released for 2025–26 with the approval of the chief minister.
The cabinet allowed the hiring of the National Radio & Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC) for the procurement of the system.
Procurement of heritage building for IT Tower
The Sindh Cabinet approved the procurement of a protected heritage building – Habib Insurance Co./HBL Foreign Exchange, M.A. Jinnah Bunder Road, Karachi – for establishing the Sindh IT Tower.
The decision followed thorough assessments, including ownership verification and valuation by the Board of Revenue (total consolidated value: Rs1.5 billion), structural safety certification by NED University of Engineering & Technology, and a heritage compliance review by the Culture Department.
The cabinet approved the final procurement price and directed the Science & IT Department and Sindh IT Company (SITC) to prepare detailed utilisation and management plans for the IT Tower, which will serve as a hub for digital innovation, incubation, training and centralised government IT operations.
Amendments to Sindh Safe Cities Authority Act.
The cabinet approved proposals for amendments to the Sindh Safe Cities Authority Act, 2019, to ensure smooth functioning and effective monitoring of the Authority.
The changes include: replacing the term “Management Committee” with “Executive Committee”; defining the constitution and functions of the Executive Committee for project oversight and decision-making; expanding the Act’s applicability to the whole of Sindh; and updating definitions for terms such as Executive Committee, Project Director, Department and Government.
The proposed Executive Committee will include officials such as the Inspector General of Police, DG Safe Cities Authority, representatives of the Finance, Information and Home Departments, Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police, COO and Project Directors.
The cabinet allowed the matter to be placed before the Provincial Assembly of Sindh for formal amendments in the Act.
Amendments to Thar Coal & Energy Board Act
The cabinet approved the Thar Coal and Energy Board (Amendment) Bill, 2025 and decided to forward it to the Provincial Assembly of Sindh for consideration.
The amendments aim to strengthen the statutory and regulatory role of the Thar Coal and Energy Board (TCEB) in the pattern of national regulators, harmonise the Thar Coal Tariff Determination Rules, 2014, and streamline the appointment and tenure of the managing director.
The cabinet was informed that the revised draft bill will enhance transparency, tariff determination and coordination in the Thar coal and energy sector.
The cabinet approved a two-year extension for Sindh Revenue Board (SRB) Chairman Dr Wasif Memon, in recognition of what was described as his outstanding performance and significant improvement in tax recoveries.
The cabinet was informed that during Dr Memon’s tenure, revenue collection increased by 140 per cent, reflecting strengthened enforcement, improved compliance and institutional reforms at the SRB.
Under the decision, Dr Memon’s tenure as SRB chairman has been extended from December 2025 to December 2027.
Judicial members appointed to Human Rights Commission
The cabinet ratified the appointment of three judicial members to the Sindh Human Rights Commission in its meeting held on 1 December 2025.
A cabinet sub-committee – comprising the Minister for Law, Parliamentary Affairs & Criminal Prosecution, the Special Assistant to CM on Human Rights and the Advocate General Sindh – reviewed a panel of seven retired District & Sessions Judges and recommended the following for the vacant positions: Iqbal Hussain Maitlo, Anand Ram D. Sairani and Ahmed Luqman Memon.
The cabinet approved their appointments, strengthening the Commission’s judicial representation.
The cabinet approved amendments to the Concession Agreement for the M9–N5 Link Road Project to covers relief events occurring before and beyond the first operational year, ensuring proper calculation and verification of losses.
The cabinet also approved payment of Rs573.42 million to the concessionaire from the Viability Gap Fund for the period 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025, due to delays in completion of the M9 interchange.
The cabinet approved the post-facto appointment of Irshad Ali Sodhar (PAS, BS-19) as CEO of the Sindh Social Protection Authority (SSPA).
Sodhar’s appointment, already notified by SGA&CD on 10 November 2025, is in accordance with the Sindh SSPA Act, 2022 (Amended 2023). The SSPA is responsible for designing, implementing and monitoring social protection initiatives across Sindh.
