The Sindh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Tuesday, approved a comprehensive package encompassing financial, infrastructure, energy, health, security, and education initiatives. The meeting, held at the Chief Minister's House, was attended by provincial ministers, advisors, special assistants, the chief secretary, and other senior officials.
Water Supply and Drainage Schemes
Based on recommendations from the Cabinet Committee on Finance, presented by Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Shah, the cabinet approved Rs 8.824 billion in additional funds for 16 Annual Development Programme (ADP) schemes in the water supply and drainage sector for the financial year 2025-26. Of this amount, Rs 6.206 billion will be re-appropriated from the ADP block allocation, while Rs 2.618 billion will come from another development allocation. The chief minister directed relevant administrative departments to ensure all payments are made within the current financial year after completing required codal formalities.
Karachi Mega Projects
In another major decision, the cabinet approved 11 non-ADP infrastructure schemes under the Karachi Mega Project, financed through the New Development Initiatives allocation of ADP 2025-26, with a cumulative estimated cost of Rs 11.198 billion. These schemes include improvement and rehabilitation of key roads and transport corridors in Karachi: Haji Ibrahim Essa Road, Haji Camp Road, Korangi Link Road, Clifton roads connecting Marine Drive, Mehran and Pajero roads in Scheme-33, Korangi Creek Airbase Road, extension of Jinnah Avenue in Gulzar-e-Hijri, and the Baldia Stadium Road project linking Shahrah-e-Orangi to Hub River Road.
The cabinet also approved construction of two major bridges at Power House Chowrangi in North Karachi and 4-K Chowrangi in Surjani Town to improve traffic flow and urban connectivity. To kick-start these schemes, the cabinet sanctioned Rs 560 million (about five per cent of total estimated cost) from the ADP during the current financial year.
Sehwan Shrine Project
Separately, the cabinet approved a non-ADP scheme titled "Rehabilitation and Uplifting of Dargah Qalandar Lal Shahbaz, Lal Bagh and Civic Centre, Sehwan" for Rs 485 million. This project aims to improve facilities and infrastructure around the shrine of Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar and adjacent public spaces. An initial allocation of Rs 24.25 million (five per cent of project cost) has been sanctioned for the current financial year.
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah reiterated the provincial government's commitment to improving urban infrastructure, enhancing public services, and ensuring transparent utilisation of public funds.
Gas Royalty Framework
The cabinet approved a new framework to receive the province's constitutionally mandated 12.5 per cent natural gas royalty in kind, instead of entirely in cash, on a field-to-field basis. The proposal, aligned with Article 161(1)(a) of the Constitution, the Petroleum Act 1949, and applicable Petroleum Exploration and Production Policies and Rules, envisages a hybrid model where selected gas fields shift to an in-kind royalty system while the existing cash mechanism continues for remaining fields.
The chief minister stated that the Sindh government expects this arrangement to enhance revenue generation, improve energy security, support local industry, and enable monetisation of royalty gas at market-linked prices. Estimates presented to the cabinet suggest the new mechanism could generate an additional annual financial benefit of over Rs 26 billion for Sindh through improved value realisation of its gas resources.
The chief minister approved formation of an inter-departmental committee headed by the Secretary Energy to prepare a comprehensive policy framework for aggregation, allocation, commercialisation, disposal, and monetisation of royalty gas. The committee has been tasked with finalising its recommendations within 30 days for submission to the cabinet.
Healthcare Liabilities and Nursing Policy
The Sindh Cabinet approved release of Rs 395.019 million to Integrated Health Services (IHS) to settle outstanding liabilities from managing 111 outsourced healthcare facilities (105 Rural Health Centres and six Taluka Headquarters hospitals) under a Public-Private Partnership arrangement from March 2016 to October 2021. The decision follows recommendations of a committee that scrutinised the remaining liability claim, assessing admissible liability at Rs 395.019 million after deducting Rs 3.264 million related to 11 unverified employees. The cabinet was informed that Rs 425.713 million had already been released following cabinet approval in November 2024. With this approval, the remaining verified liability claim of IHS will be settled. The chief minister directed IHS to submit complete records of released and current liabilities to the Director General Audit for verification.
In the health sector, the cabinet approved the Sindh Nursing Workforce Strategic Policy 2026-2040, a long-term framework to strengthen the province's nursing workforce amid growing healthcare demands, population growth, emerging diseases, and expansion of health services. The policy addresses workforce shortages, faculty gaps, uneven nurse distribution, infrastructure deficiencies, and governance issues. Health Minister Dr. Azra Fazal informed the cabinet that Sindh currently has 34,817 registered nurses, midwives, and lady health visitors, including around 23,000 nurses, with a nurse density of just 0.63 per 1,000 population compared to the World Health Organisation benchmark of 3.33.
The policy envisages establishing modern nursing colleges, simulation laboratories, student hostels, a nursing workforce information system, and stronger coordination among relevant institutions. Its phased implementation ranges from immediate reforms in admissions and curriculum to long-term investments in infrastructure and workforce expansion. The chief minister said the initiative is expected to increase production of qualified nurses, improve healthcare service delivery, strengthen workforce planning, and enhance overall quality of patient care across Sindh.
Security and Infrastructure
Responding to evolving security needs, the cabinet approved a revised procurement plan for the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) worth Rs 857.024 million. The cabinet allowed direct contracting with the National Radio and Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC) for procurement of specialised equipment and services to strengthen the CTD's operational capacity.
The cabinet approved installation of light poles and solar-powered street lighting on the 4.5-kilometre elevated section of Shahrah-e-Bhutto passing through Sammo Goth for Rs 171.205 million. The amount, verified by the Independent Engineer and Independent Auditor, will be financed through the Viability Gap Fund. The cabinet also endorsed the PPP Policy Board's decision to review and reassess the estimated cost of replacement and maintenance of solar lights over the 25-year concession period.
Appointments and Education
The cabinet ratified the appointment of Ms. Rashida Siddiqui, a retired District and Sessions Judge, as Consultant to the Law Department for three years. It also approved the appointment of Barrister Syed Ghulam Shabbir Shah as Prosecutor General Sindh.
In the higher education sector, the cabinet approved amendments to the Habib University Act, 2012, aimed at strengthening institutional governance and aligning the university's academic structure with international standards. The cabinet also approved the draft charter of Fatimiyah International University, Karachi, paving the way for establishment of a new private-sector university under the Fatimiyah Higher Education System.
