Sindh, WB review $3.85b development portfolio

12 projects reviewed: water, transport, health, education under scrutiny

KARACHI:

Billions of dollars in development funding are yet to translate into completed projects across Sindh, prompting Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and the World Bank to review implementation delays, financial progress and procurement bottlenecks in a portfolio worth $3.849 billion.

At a high-level meeting at the Chief Minister's House on Monday, the two sides reviewed 12 ongoing projects, including 11 Investment Project Financing schemes and one Programme-for-Results project. Of the total allocation, $2.334 billion has been disbursed, while $1.571 billion remains to be released.

The meeting, chaired by CM Shah and World Bank Country Director Bolormaa Amgaabazar, also reviewed procurement activities and implementation challenges across key sectors, including water, transport, healthcare, education, agriculture and housing.

For the fiscal year 2026-27, the government has set a disbursement target of $381.2 million, with a higher target of $434.2 million. So far, $43.2 million has been disbursed.

CM Shah reaffirmed his government's commitment to accelerating implementation, removing administrative and financial bottlenecks and converting development investments into improved public services. He directed departments and project teams to take responsibility for pending actions and meet agreed deadlines.

Karachi's water and sewerage infrastructure featured prominently in the discussions, particularly the $240 million second phase of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Services Improvement Project (KWSSIP-II), linked to the K-IV water supply scheme.

Environmental and social documents for associated facilities have been submitted to the World Bank for approval. A fresh survey to reassess the Resettlement Action Plan for additional K-IV capacity is expected to begin soon. The agreement is scheduled for December 5, followed by a census and survey exercise from December 21 to February 20, 2027.

The meeting was also informed that repairs to the Dhabeji Rising Main had been completed, while chlorination stations had been relocated and handed over to the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation. Water and sewerage works in Sobha Nagar and Essa Nagri are expected to be completed by November 15 and December 31, respectively.

Progress on Karachi's Yellow BRT corridor also came under review. The newly constructed Taj Haider Bridge was opened to traffic in October 2025, while work on the overall bridge project, including demolition of the old structure, stands at 73.9% against a target of 92.7%. Completion is scheduled for March 29, 2027.

Work on the two Yellow Corridor bus depots remains behind schedule. Depot One has achieved 17.57% progress against a target of 93.6%, while Depot Two has recorded 46.66% against its 100% target. In another Karachi project, operations at Cell One of the Jam Chakro landfill site began on October 19. The remaining landfill cells and three waste transfer stations at Sharafi Goth, Imtiaz and Gutter Baghicha are expected to be completed by November 30.

In healthcare, the $196.7 million Sindh Integrated Health and Population Project includes nine signed civil works contracts.