Sindh Cabinet Approves Major Relief Package for Gul Plaza Victims and Multi-Billion Rupee Projects for Karachi
The Sindh Cabinet, in a meeting held at the Chief Minister's House in Karachi on Tuesday, has taken significant decisions aimed at providing relief to victims of the Gul Plaza tragedy and accelerating the development of Karachi through multi-billion-rupee projects. Chaired by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, the cabinet expressed deep grief over the loss of lives in the incident and offered Fateha for the martyrs.
Comprehensive Relief and Rehabilitation Measures
Addressing the meeting, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah emphasized that the government's foremost responsibility is to provide immediate relief to affected families while ensuring accountability. "There can be no compromise on human life. Relief, justice, and prevention must go hand in hand," he stated. The cabinet approved a comprehensive package that includes:
- Compensation of Rs10 million each for families of the deceased.
- Interest-free loans of Rs10 million per shopkeeper, with the Sindh government bearing the full interest cost.
- Immediate subsistence support of Rs500,000 per shopkeeper for household and utility expenses.
- Provision of alternative commercial spaces within two months to enable shopkeepers to resume their businesses.
To ensure accountability, a high-level subcommittee has been formed, comprising Ministers Sharjeel Inam Memon, Nasir Hussain Shah, Saeed Ghani, and Ziaul Hassan Lanjar. This committee will review the findings of the inquiry committee, which was earlier constituted under Karachi Commissioner Hassan Naqvi, with Additional IG Karachi Azad Khan and others as members. "No negligence will be overlooked. Those found responsible will be held accountable," the chief minister affirmed.
Infrastructure and Transport Development Projects
In a move to boost Karachi's infrastructure, the cabinet sanctioned Rs19.116 billion for the immediate execution of six major road projects. These include:
- Star Gate Flyover
- Malir Halt Underpass
- Sohrab Goth Flyover
- Reconstruction of key arteries linking the M-9 Motorway to Malir and Main Korangi Road to Khayaban-e-Saadi
The Local Government Department has been directed to commence work without delay. Additionally, the revised PC-I of the BRT Yellow Line was approved, increasing the project cost to $620 million, with additional World Bank financing for electric buses and flyovers. This project is targeted for completion by December 31, 2028. For the BRT Red Line, the cabinet authorized Rs300 million for land acquisition for the Malir Depot, noting that the project remains on track for completion by June 2026.
Water Supply and Other Key Initiatives
To address water shortages in Karachi, the cabinet approved awarding the 36-kilometre Dumlottee-to-DHA water pipeline project to the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO). The Sindh government will provide Rs10.55 billion to the Water Board for timely execution. Furthermore, the allocation of 100 acres of forest land to the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation was approved for the installation of a 6 MGD water filtration plant at Deh Bhelo Miano, with directions to provide alternative land to the Forest Department for compensatory plantation.
Other notable decisions include:
- A two-year extension until 2027 for the agreement with the Anti-Narcotics Force to operate three drug rehabilitation centres in Karachi, Manghopir, and Malir.
- Establishment of a modern Fruit and Vegetable Mandi in Larkana at a cost of Rs6.371 billion, featuring cold storage, a traders' restaurant and hotel, and a 1MW solar power system.
- Reconstitution of the Workers Welfare Board Sindh with equal representation from employers and workers to ensure transparent utilisation of welfare funds.
- Closure of the Sindh Renewable Energy Company to avoid duplication, as its functions are already being performed by the Energy Department.
- Appointment of seven non-official members to the Boards of Governors of law colleges to strengthen governance and academic oversight.
Commitment to Swift and Transparent Execution
Concluding the meeting, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah stressed the need for swift and high-quality execution of all approved projects. "Relief for the distressed, modern infrastructure, and transparent governance are our priorities. These decisions must translate into visible improvement for the people," he said. The cabinet's actions reflect a comprehensive approach to addressing immediate crises while laying the groundwork for long-term development in Sindh, particularly in Karachi.
