Sindh extends health cover, rolls out task forces

Cabinet okays AI, climate and water bodies, hikes allowances, tightens anti-gutka laws

KARACHI:

The Sindh cabinet on Thursday approved a series of policy decisions, including a six-month extension of the health insurance programme for government employees and the formation of special task forces on water issues, climate change and artificial intelligence (AI).

Addressing a press conference after the cabinet meeting, Senior Minister for Information, Transport and Mass Transit Sharjeel Inam Memon said the government would consult experts in the respective fields to guide policymaking.

He said the cabinet also approved stringent legislation against the manufacture, sale and transportation of gutka, mainpuri and narcotics. The Narcotics Control Department would be granted additional powers to enforce the law, while a province-wide crackdown would be launched against those involved in the trade.

The minister said the government had decided to procure 665,000 metric tonnes of wheat from PASSCO and import an additional 500,000 metric tonnes to stabilise the market, adding that the move would curb hoarding. He also criticised Punjab's closure of inter-provincial borders for wheat transportation.

The cabinet further approved participation in a global forum in China aimed at strengthening Pakistan-China trade ties.

Among other decisions, the cabinet approved the allocation of 22 acres for the Kanri Mirch Mandi, the completion of the Damloti-to-DHA water supply project through the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO), a revised cost for the Damloti pipeline, and the establishment of a modern 400-acre truck stand to ease traffic congestion in Karachi.

The cabinet had also approved a relief package for government employees. A two per cent differential allowance on frozen basic pay (2022) for employees in Grades 1 to 16 will take effect from July 1, 2026. Moreover, the conveyance allowance for provincial employees has been increased by 50 per cent. The allowance for Grades 1 to 4 has been raised from Rs1,785 to Rs2,678, for Grades 5 to 10 from Rs1,932 to Rs2,898.