Sindh govt approves Rs75.63 billion for Karachi development projects

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has directed the initiation of approval for 162 development projects worth Rs75.63 billion for Karachi. The overall budget for the city amounts to Rs187.30 billion.

The chief minister announced that Rs14.80 billion had been allocated in the current financial year’s budget for these projects, with a target of completion by next year. “Work should begin without delay,” he instructed during a meeting at the Chief Minister's House on Monday.

The meeting was attended by Planning and Development Minister Nasir Hussain Shah, Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah, and other senior officials.

During the briefing, Planning and Development Minister Nasir Hussain Shah provided detailed insight into the Rs178.30 billion development programme for Karachi.

The programme includes 988 projects under the provincial annual development programme, costing Rs76.95 billion. An additional Rs103.05 billion will be used for six major projects funded through external assistance, while Rs7.30 billion will be spent under the district development programme.

A total of 87 key projects, each costing over Rs500 million, are part of the 2024-2025 fiscal development programme. The chief minister was informed that funds for 346 out of the 988 projects have already been released, with completion expected by June 2025.

Additionally, work is ongoing on 826 projects valued at Rs269.24 billion, for which Rs62.14 billion has been allocated for this financial year.

During the meeting, it was also revealed that 162 projects worth Rs75.63 billion are pending approval, with Rs14.80 billion allocated for these in the current fiscal year. The chief minister instructed Nasir Shah to expedite the approval process to start work on these projects.

The chief minister was also briefed on six major externally funded projects worth Rs403.98 billion, with Rs103.05 billion allocated for this financial year. These projects include:

KLiC Programme: Rs63.95 billion funded by the World Bank, aimed at improving Karachi’s local council financial structure and tax system and enhancing the business environment.

KWSSIP Project: Rs16.70 billion funded by the World Bank and AIIB, aimed at reforms in the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board.

KWSSIP Phase 2: A Rs171.94 billion project funded by the World Bank and AIIB to improve water treatment, complete the K-IV project, and introduce reforms.

SWEEP Project: Rs16.80 billion funded by the World Bank, designed to enhance waste management services in Karachi.

BRT Yellow Line: Rs56.18 billion funded by the World Bank, a bus rapid transit project from Dawood Chowrangi to Exhibition, via Korangi Road.

BRT Red Line: Rs78.38 billion funded by the Asian Development Bank, aimed at improving transportation from Malir Cantt to Regal Chowk via University Road.

The chief minister also noted that Rs14.49 billion had been released for 255 Karachi projects, each costing Rs500 million, with completion expected by the end of the current fiscal year.