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Express Tribune
a day ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
CM charts road to reform, recovery, celebration
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah laid out a sweeping vision for provincial development, police reform, and flood rehabilitation, during a session with Civil Service Academy probationary officers and senior officials at the CM House. Development, flood recovery Focusing on infrastructure and post-disaster recovery, CM Shah detailed a development budget that includes Rs366.75 billion in foreign-funded projects. The government is prioritising the expansion of Karachi's road network, construction of new flyovers and underpasses, and the continued implementation of major transit projects like the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. Law and Order CM Shah highlighted the role of Sindh Police, with 162,000 personnel and a legacy of sacrifice marked by 2,549 martyrs. Addressing lawlessness in the Katcha area, he pointed to ongoing efforts to build roads, improve infrastructure, and boost police mobility. Intelligence Upgrades Shah cited the arrest of individuals involved in attacks on Chinese nationals and the foiling of major terror plots. He highlighted the Rs772 million Fusion Centre, equipped with intelligence, data analytics, and digital forensics, as a critical upgrade to Sindhs investigative capacity. Fiscal Decentralisation To decentralise police funding, the government has allocated Rs6 billion to police stations, granting station officers greater fiscal autonomy. Shah also noted improvements to police stations and the introduction of a Rs4.9 billion health insurance program covering officers and their families. Crisis Management Crisis preparedness has also seen significant strides. The government has established a Crisis Management Unit trained by Turkey's Anti-Riot Force. The unit is equipped with 2,000 anti-riot kits and includes female officers. Solid waste emergency project Shah also discussed the USD 100 million Solid Waste Emergency Project, which aims to modernise Karachi's waste management system. Key efforts include establishing state-of-the-art landfill sites at Jam Chakro and Dhabeji, improving emergency waste response, and reducing urban pollution. Delta Blue Carbon Project Touching on environmental sustainability, the CM praised the Delta Blue Carbon Project, which conserves 225,000 hectares in the Indus Delta. The project is expected to reduce 127 million tonnes of CO? emissions and generate government revenue through verified carbon credits. Independence Day In anticipation of Independence Day, Shah chaired a meeting on the upcoming celebrations and the "Maarka Haq" (Battle for Justice) events. He called on bankers and prominent industrialists across the country to actively participate. The Department of Culture will host a public concert and fireworks show at the National Stadium on August 13, while the Captain Sailor Shaheed Sports Gala will also be organised to mark the occasion. Karachi Metropolitan Corporation is planning another concert and fireworks display at Jahangir Kothari, with the date to be announced soon. The Sports Department will organise a marathon at Nishan Pakistan and Do Darya on August 10, followed by a donkey cart race at Sea View the same day. The Department of Fisheries is set to hold a boat race at the port and Keamari on August 9.
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Sindh CM discusses US development aid with Elizabeth Horst
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah met with Elizabeth Horst, Chargé d'Affaires of the United States of America to Pakistan, to discuss the progress and future of US development assistance in the province. The meeting was held at CM House and was attended by provincial ministers - Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Principal Secretary to CM Agha Wasif, Chairman P&D Board Najam Shah. The USA delegation members were Consul General Scott Urbom, Deputy Consul General Jai Nair, Chief Political & Economic Section Shelley Saxen, Political Officer Trevor Earnshaw, Political Specialist Saleh Shah and Staff Assistant Charles Besnard. The two sides reviewed completed initiatives and explored future collaboration opportunities in the fields of education, water and sanitation, health, climate resilience, and municipal services. Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah reaffirmed his government's commitment to deepening its partnership with USAID. He outlined several areas where USAID's continued support is critical: Education Sector Reforms: The CM said that his government seeks USAID's assistance in addressing post-2022 flood reconstruction needs, with over 20,000 schools fully or partially damaged. The province aims to restore educational infrastructure and scale up quality teaching through ICT and teacher training. Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH): Murad Shah said that under the WASH project; there is a dire need for immediate rehabilitation of 799 water supply schemes, 444 drainage systems, and 1,212 RO/UF plants is underway. He proposed an additional 504 filtration units for schools and health facilities.
Business Recorder
22-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Livestock sector: Sindh, Balochistan agree to bolster cooperation
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, in his meeting with Balochistan's Livestock Minister Sardarzada Mir Faisal Jamali, decided to exchange superior livestock breeds and to bolster cooperation in livestock development between the two provinces. The meeting, held at CM House, was attended by Sindh's Minister for Fisheries and Livestock, Muhammad Ali Malkani. As part of this collaboration, an agreement was reached to organise a cattle show in Jacobabad, where Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah expressed his commitment to personally participate and extend an invitation to the Balochistan Chief Minister. He emphasised the importance of joint research efforts between the livestock departments of both provinces. Separately, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah met with the UAE Ambassador, Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al Zaabi to discuss strengthening bilateral relations and exploring investment opportunities, particularly in public-private partnerships. The ambassador congratulated the Chief Minister on the recent construction of Shahrah-e-Bhutto and confirmed that UAE investors would soon visit Sindh to review various projects. Both leaders also agreed to collaborate on initiatives aimed at women's empowerment, with the UAE planning projects focused on health, employment, and education for women in Sindh. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
14-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
CM Murad directs to open M9-M5 Link Road next week
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Monday directed the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Unit of the province to open the New Link Road by July 25 and the Shahrah-e-Bhutto Expressway by December 2025. CM Murad said this during the meeting held at the CM House in Karachi. The meeting was attended by provincial ministers Sharjeel Memon, Nasir Shah, Saeed Ghani, prinicipal secretary to the CM Agha Wasif, Secretary Finance Fayaz Jatoi, Secretary Local Government Waseem Shamshad, Secretary Transport Asad Zamin, Project Director Shahrah-e-Bhutto Niaz Soomro, Project Engineer Khalid Masroor and other relevant officials. On this occasion, the chief minister conducted a comprehensive review of key ongoing infrastructure projects, including the New Link Road, Shahrah-e-Bhutto Expressway, and the Korangi Causeway Bridge near Qayyumabad. The New Link Road project, aimed at connecting the National Highway (N-5) with Motorway M-9, is progressing, with a significant portion already completed, said a press release issued by the CM House. 'The project is set to transform connectivity for freight and commuter traffic between Port Qasim, Karachi's industrial zones, and the broader national highway network,' the CM said. The upgraded Link Road corridor is being developed into a four-lane dual carriageway, replacing the congested and underdeveloped existing routes that have long hampered industrial and commercial traffic in the area, the press release added. CM Murad said that once completed, the road will provide a direct and efficient link between the M-9 Motorway (Karachi-Hyderabad) and National Highway (N-5), greatly reducing travel time and easing the movement of cargo from Port Qasim to the motorway network and other key destinations across the province. The 22-kilometre New Link Road project is nearing completion, with significant progress on the new interchange at M9 (kilometre 34+740). This Rs3.53 billion project is being executed in collaboration with the National Highway Authority (NHA) and Frontier Works Organization (FWO). The chief minister was told that the interchange construction is divided into three segments: Southbound, bridge over M9, and Northbound. Work on the Southbound segment is underway and expected to be completed by next month. At this, the CM directed the PPP unit to complete the work so that he could open it for traffic on July 25. He also said that once the new link road is opened the old link road would be closed. Construction on the bridge and Northbound sections began on April 24, and is progressing steadily. The chief minister directed the PPP Unit to complete the entire interchange by the end of October 2025 to improve connectivity and traffic flow on the M9 motorway. Upon the opening of the New Link Road, the old Link Road will be closed to traffic. Meanwhile, the 39-kilometre, state-of-the-art, 3x3 lane high-speed access-controlled Shahrah-e-Bhutto Expressway is 82% complete. This expressway connects DHA to the Hyderabad Motorway (M9) near Kathore and includes six interchanges, multiple toll plazas, and modern facilities designed to enhance traffic flow and industrial connectivity in Karachi. The first segment from Qayyumabad to Quaidabad is 99% complete, while the second segment from Quaidabad to Kathore has reached 65% progress. Key interchanges such as EBM, Shah-Faisal, and Quaidabad are complete, with Jam Sadiq and Memon Goth interchanges making significant progress despite some delays caused by utility relocations and concurrent Yellow Line corridor works. The Samo Goth elevated structure, a 4-kilometre stretch over the Malir River Bed aimed at preserving local villages, has achieved 48% physical progress since its start in August 2024. Preparations for the Kathore Interchange at M9 are underway, with the Finance Department approving a competitive bidding process to ensure timely execution. Korangi Causeway Bridge: The Korangi Causeway Bridge project is progressing rapidly, with 80% of the work completed. This Rs6.1 billion project, featuring a 26-meter wide bridge, is scheduled for completion by November 2025. The junction at Shahrah-e-Bhutto and Korangi Causeway has received administrative approval, with tendering underway and construction expected to commence by mid-August 2025. Once the Korangi Causeway Bridge is operational, the existing causeway road will be closed. CM Murad underscored the critical role these projects play in enhancing Karachi's infrastructure, alleviating traffic congestion, and promoting economic growth through improved connectivity. The Sindh government remains committed to delivering these landmark projects on schedule, fostering sustainable urban development, and strengthening public-private partnerships.
Business Recorder
10-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Murad meets Chinese CG, discusses strategic partnership
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah held an important meeting with the Chinese Consul General in Karachi, Yang Yundong, and discussed strategic partnership ahead of the upcoming China visit. The meeting, held at CM House, was attended by Principal Secretary Agha Wasif and Deputy Consul General Zhang Hao. Murad Shah announced his plan to visit China in September to present a range of new Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects. He emphasised that the Sindh government is in the process of establishing additional Special Economic Zones (SEZs), and Chinese investment and partnership in these zones would be highly valuable. The CM reaffirmed his commitment to launching the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) project, stating it is time to bring this long-awaited initiative to the people of Karachi. Among the key proposals to be presented in China are projects related to water treatment and desalination plants in Karachi. The Chief Minister expressed his desire for Chinese collaboration in developing the Inclusive City in Karachi for persons with disabilities, envisioned as a model institution in Pakistan. However, Yang Yundong welcomed the proposals and stressed the need to finalise the projects so that meetings can be arranged accordingly. Murad Shah suggested potential partnerships with the Shanghai and Hubei governments for the Inclusive City project, adding that Chinese expertise can help mainstream persons with disabilities in society. The Chief Minister stressed the importance of forging PPPs in sectors such as healthcare, water management, and agricultural development. He highlighted the need for hybrid seeds that consume less water and yield more, as well as plans to introduce climate-friendly hybrid fruits and vegetables in partnership with China. He instructed the Investment Department to prepare detailed PPP proposals ahead of the visit. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
