Cabinet clears major development, governance package

Katcha survey, K-IV funding, wheat policy, infrastructure, health and tourism projects also approved

KARACHI:

The Sindh cabinet on Tuesday approved a wide range of policy measures and development initiatives aimed at strengthening governance, improving infrastructure, ensuring food security and accelerating socio-economic growth in the province.

The meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, was attended by provincial ministers, advisers, special assistants and senior officials, including Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah and Principal Secretary to the CM Agha Wasif Abbas.

Katcha areas survey

The cabinet gave in-principle approval for a comprehensive survey of riverine (katcha) areas to improve law and order, strengthen land governance and support the government's ongoing policy. The chief minister said the initiative would help resolve longstanding discrepancies in land records among revenue, forest and federal departments.

The survey, to be conducted with the Survey of Pakistan at an estimated cost of Rs705 million, will utilise satellite imagery, GIS mapping and modern geospatial tools. The project duration has been reduced from 25 months to 15.5 months in view of the improvement in law and order situation in Larkana and Sukkur divisions. It will be executed in two phases, including boundary identification and detailed cadastral mapping of 624 dehs.

The cabinet allowed exemption under the Sindh Public Procurement law for early execution and directed that the project be implemented as a non-ADP scheme to ensure transparency and fiscal discipline.

K-IV power component

The cabinet approved a comprehensive financial plan for the power component of the Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply Scheme (K-IV). A grant of Rs13.9 billion was approved, replacing the earlier loan-based model for the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC).

The allocation covers a 132kV grid station, 26-kilometre transmission line, 11kV distribution network and a staff colony for a 50MW load. An amount of Rs3.47 billion will be released in the current fiscal year for Phase-I, while Rs10.43 billion has been earmarked for Phase-II in the next budget.

The Sindh Transmission and Dispatch Company (STDC) will operate and maintain the infrastructure, while the provincial government will initially bear operational costs. CM Shah directed KWSC to improve its revenue system to gradually assume financial responsibility.

Wheat procurement policy

The cabinet approved the wheat procurement policy for Rabi 2025-26, setting a target of one million metric tonnes at an indicative price of Rs3,500 per 40kg. Procurement will be made from over 332,000 registered growers under the Sindh Wheat Growers Support Programme.

Payments will be made directly into farmers' bank accounts to eliminate middlemen. The cabinet also enhanced the cash credit limit for commodity financing to Rs221 billion for April-June 2026. Procurement centres will become operational from April 1.

Infrastructure schemes

The cabinet approved multiple infrastructure projects, including Rs2.55 billion for rehabilitation of the Malir Halt–Ghaghar Phatak road, Rs888 million for restoration of flood-damaged infrastructure, and Rs1.96 billion for road widening projects, including completion of the N-5 link road via the M-9 interchange.

Moreover, Rs1.45 billion was approved for rehabilitation of roads and drainage in Lyari.