Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Tuesday chaired an in-depth, sector-wise review meeting with a 10-member senior World Bank delegation led by Country Director Ms Bolormaa Amgaabazar to assess ongoing projects and agree on next-step priorities across Sindh’s development portfolio.
At the outset, the chief minister said, “Our partnership with the World Bank is central to Sindh’s reform and recovery agenda. We want faster implementation, stronger outcomes, and visible impact for citizens.”
Portfolio overview
Sindh’s active World Bank portfolio comprises 13 projects with a total commitment of $3.8 billion and disbursements of $1.96 billion to date. For 2025-2026, the Sindh government and the World Bank set a base disbursement target of $700.25 million.
Urban Development:
Urban development, transport and municipal services projects include the Competitive and Livable City of Karachi Project of $230 million, Karachi Mobility Project of $382 million, and the Solid Waste Emergency and Efficiency Project worth $100 million.The meeting was told that 161 Town Municipal Committees (TMCs) schemes amounting to $66.7 million are under implementation, of which 47 schemes have been completed. The overall average physical progress stands at 61 per cent. The remaining schemes are scheduled to be completed by March 30, 2026. Eight KMC schemes worth $19 million are ongoing with an overall average physical progress of 57 per cent. Four KMC schemes are under the procurement process, and contracts are expected to be awarded by December 16, 2025.
Property Tax Survey: Regarding the urban property tax survey in the city, the meeting was informed that the door-to-door survey is underway, with 3.1 million properties enumerated out of 3.3 million. In the Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting, the re-appropriation of funds was duly approved.SBOSS Go-Live: On improving the business environment, the CM informed the meeting that SBOSS Go-Live (Wave-II) was launched on Nov 28, 2025. A total of 13 out of 19 agencies have been onboarded; 54 out of 130 Regulatory Licenses, Certificates (RLCOs), and Other Permits have been digitised; and 4,089 e-permits have been issued through SBOSS to date. Seventy-six RLCOs of the remaining six agencies (Wave-III) are expected to go live by May 2026.
For SBOSS, allied IT activities and co-location facilities have been initiated, and a specific procurement notice has been published in newspapers. For IT hardware, the Sindh Investment Department Project Implementation Unit will provide the World Bank with a list of required IT infrastructure based on a needs assessment and asset inventory. After the Bank’s no-objection letter (NOL), the activity was created in Systematic Tracking of Exchanges in Procurement (STEP), and the RFP was sent; it is currently under review by the Bank.The KIF Study notification of award and contract signing is expected by the end of December 2025. For the 360-degree marketing firm, notification of the award is expected by December 31, 2025. For the Business Facilitation Centre, premises have been hired, and BOQs will be shared with the World Bank team.The CM stressed integrated urban planning, stating, “Karachi’s mobility, solid waste, and municipal reforms must move together to deliver livability and economic competitiveness.”
Water, Sanitation & Irrigation
The water, sanitation and irrigation portfolio includes the Karachi Water & Sewerage Services Improvement Project (KWSSIP) of $40 million, Second KWSSIP (KWSSIP-II) of $240 million, Sindh Water & Agriculture Transformation (SWAT) Project worth $292 million, and Sindh Barrages Improvement Project of $291.23 million.
A technology-led plan dividing Sindh into six WASH zones was announced. The Sindh government has started work on K-IV augmentation.
The chief minister underlined water security, noting, “Water and sanitation investments are not optional – they are fundamental to public health, climate resilience and growth.”
Education & Early Learning
Sindh Early Learning Enhancement through Classroom Transformation (SELECT) is a $154.76 million project. The meeting was informed that teaching and learning materials for Grades 3 to 5 have been distributed in all targeted schools.Regarding the development of an effective and safe learning environment, it was agreed that 15 schools will be handed over in December 2025. The remaining will be completed to ensure a total of 45 schools are handed over by January 2026. The handover of another 150 schools will be completed by April 30, 2026, as per the schedule.Interviews for hiring four additional field engineers were conducted recently. The evaluation report will be finalised by the end of this month. A firm is on board and, following the Bank’s approval, commenced field visits. Progress is being monitored through PMIU field visits, the dashboard, the D&S firm and field engineers. Currently, 291 out of 295 schools are uploaded on the dashboard, and the remaining four will be uploaded by the end of December.Delays are flagged on the dashboard, mitigation letters have been issued, and weekly contractor meetings are being held regularly.
The furniture work award for Mirpurkhas district was issued, and bids for three districts were opened on December 5. The evaluation will be finalised by the end of this month. The SPN for two more districts has been issued, and tenders will be opened on December 12, 2025.
A comprehensive water assessment report covering all 12 districts was submitted to the World Bank last month. After the Bank’s response to the report, the appropriate water filtration system will be selected. Additionally, specifications for the solar panels are being finalised.
The project is transforming classrooms and improving early-grade learning outcomes. The CM directed departments to accelerate procurement and disbursements to meet targets.
Health & Population
The health and population portfolio includes the Sindh Integrated Health & Population Project of $200 million and the National Health Support Program (Sindh Chapter) of $359 million (PforR + IPF components).
Reviewing progress, the CM said, “Primary healthcare, maternal and child health, and emergency services remain top priorities – delivery speed must match the urgency of need.”
The meeting was informed that the revised PC-1 has been approved by PDWP and forwarded for approval by CDWP.
A total of 151 GDs from DoH to PPHI have been transferred. The transition of 20 GDs is in process to complete the target of 171, and the activity will be completed by the end of December. A total of 238 CHWs have been hired by PPHI. The training manual has been finalised, and master trainer training has also been completed. Three-month training for CHWs will be initiated by Dec 23, 2025.
The draft bidding documents shared with the Bank, and the Bank’s comments, were received in November. The Department of Health and the World Bank mutually agreed to adopt sequenced planning, considering the civil works. PMU will share the sequenced plan with the Bank in the first week of January 2026.
The budget has been disbursed to PPHI on December 16, 2025.
Improving RMNCAH+N service utilisation and quality: This new activity has been incorporated in the revised PC-1, which is under approval.
PMU, in coordination with UNICEF, is finalising the MoU. Once PC-1 is approved and the Bank restructuring is completed, the MoU with UNICEF for the procurement of MMS will be signed. The budget has been finalised. The activity will be initiated subject to the approval of PC-1.
The meeting was told that the relocation plan for 60 ambulances has been finalised between PPHI, SIEHS and SIHPP. The ambulance relocation will be completed by the end of December 2025.
Social Protection
The Strengthening Social Protection Delivery System in Sindh (SSPDS) is a $200 million project.The meeting was informed that the hiring of the Targeting and Enrolment Specialist and the Contract Management Specialist has been completed. An additional charge has been given to a Senior Health Specialist.
It was disclosed that, as per the Board’s directive, two committees have been constituted to provide technical recommendations to the Board on: (i) inclusion of special cases, and (ii) approval of a predictable payment model. The AWP has been developed and aligned with the approved budget. Reviewing the expansion of beneficiary coverage and system strengthening, the CM remarked, “Targeted social protection is our first line of defense against poverty and shocks.”
Livestock, Agriculture & Climate Resilience
This cluster includes three major projects: the Sindh Livestock & Aquaculture Sectors Transformation Project (LIVAQUA) of $135 million, the Sindh Flood Emergency Rehabilitation Project of $650 million, and the Sindh Flood Emergency Housing Reconstruction Project of $950 million.
The chief minister emphasised climate-smart growth, saying, “Flood recovery must go hand in hand with resilience – housing, livelihoods and infrastructure must be built back better.” The meeting was attended by Provincial Ministers Nasir Shah, Sardar Shah, Jam Khan Shoro, Muhammad Ali Malkani, Adviser Gianchand Israni, Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab, Special Assistant Qasim Naveed, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Chairman P&D Najam Shah, senior provincial secretaries, and World Bank sector specialists, with 13 additional World Bank experts joining via video link.Concluding the session, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah directed departments to resolve bottlenecks, accelerate procurement, and ensure timely disbursements, adding, “Every dollar must translate into measurable improvements in people’s lives.”
