Sindh approves Rs33.7b firefighting upgrade

Protections for women farm workers, Rs7b for Gul Plaza shopkeepers

KARACHI:

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, chairing a provincial cabinet meeting, approved a Rs33.7 billion package to modernise the province's firefighting and emergency response system and introduce a new 'Early Warning Public Alert System'.

The cabinet also decided to allow equal wages to women agricultural workers, regulated working hours, maternity benefits, access to healthcare and child nutrition, protection from workplace harassment, written contracts, and the right to association.

The meeting, held at the CM House, was attended by provincial ministers, advisors, special assistants, chief secretary, chairman of Planning & Development (P&D), principal secretary to the CM, and other officials.

Emergency services upgrade

The CM gave go-ahead to a multi-billion-rupee plan to modernise the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and SERS 1122.

The cabinet approved engaging the Chinese Consulate to source specialised equipment and vehicles under a government-to-government (G2G) arrangement.

The procurement includes 100 fire trucks, 35 water bowsers, specialised snorkels, and 50 all-terrain fire vehicles. In a shift towards modern firefighting, the province will acquire eight firefighting drones, 12 multi-purpose drones, and a new Early Warning Public Alert System. Total cost of the project cost is estimated at Rs33.7 billion.

The CM issued strict directives to ensure rigorous price control and maintain the high quality of food items across the province, especially during the month of Ramazan.

Women agricultural workers

The cabinet discussed the Sindh Women Agricultural Workers Rules, 2026, to implement the Sindh Women Agricultural Workers Act, 2019, aimed at recognising and protecting women, working in agriculture, livestock and fisheries.

The Sindh Labour Department proposed major legislative amendments to modernise industrial regulations and make it easier to do business across the province. The reforms support the implementation of e-licensing portal, approved by the cabinet on May 30, 2024, to serve 16 departments.

Financial approvals

The cabinet reviewed and confirmed several major financial decisions amounting to over Rs23.766 billion, previously cleared by the cabinet committee on finance. These approvals include a grant of Rs8.53 billion for the rehabilitation of Karachi's road infrastructure under the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC). An amount of Rs7 billion was approved to compensate traders and shopkeepers affected in the Gul Plaza fire.

Furthermore, Rs1.57 billion was approved for the purchase of the protected heritage property known as the Habib Insurance/Exchange Building on I.I. Chundrigar Road, Karachi. A grant-in-aid of Rs5.207 billion was also sanctioned for vital restoration and rehabilitation works within the jurisdiction of the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (HMC).

To bolster law enforcement, an allocation of Rs560 million was approved to fund the Sindh Police's ongoing operations against hardened criminals in the Katcha areas.

Karachi, Almaty sister cities

The cabinet has approved 'Twinning Agreement' to establish sister-city relations between Karachi and Almaty, Kazakhstan. The move aims to strengthen bilateral ties and foster economic cooperation between the two major commercial hubs.

Sindh Cabinet has approved the humanitarian request of Layton Rahmatulla Benevolent Trust (LRBT) to change the land-use status of its 1,000 sq. yds. plot No. SD-19, Block-B (Scheme-02), North Nazimabad, Karachi, from Commercial to Amenity for the establishment of a charitable eye hospital.