Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Wednesday presided over cabinet meeting that approved a series of far-reaching policy, governance, economic and development initiatives, including the import of 0.5 million metric tons (MMT) of wheat, a 7.5 per cent increase in minimum wages, restructuring of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Unit into a government-owned company, extension of the Sindh People\u2019s Housing Initiative to Gilgit-Baltistan, imposition of toll on the Nawabshah-Ranipur (Mehran Highway) and several institutional reforms aimed at strengthening governance and public service delivery.The meeting, held at the CM House, was attended by provincial ministers, advisers, special assistants, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Agha Wasif Abbas and senior officials of the provincial government.Addressing the cabinet, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said that Sindh was pursuing a reform-oriented agenda focused on economic stability, infrastructure development, social protection, institutional strengthening and improved service delivery.\u201cThe decisions taken today are aimed at safeguarding food security, protecting workers, modernising governance structures, attracting private investment and ensuring sustainable development across Sindh,\u201d the chief minister said.He directed all departments to ensure timely implementation of cabinet decisions and stressed that reforms must translate into tangible benefits for citizens.Draft Sindh Government Lands Management Bill, 2026The Sindh Cabinet deliberated on the proposed Sindh Government Lands Management Bill, 2026, aimed at replacing the century-old Colonisation of Government Lands Act, 1912, with a modern and transparent legal framework for the management, allotment and utilisation of government land across the province.The proposed legislation seeks to address longstanding issues in land governance by introducing market-based valuation, transparent public auction mechanisms, clear eligibility criteria for allotments, stronger enforcement provisions, and an effective grievance redressal system. The new framework will cater not only to agricultural land but also to industrial, residential, commercial, public-purpose and amenity projects.After discussion, the CM decided to constitute a committee comprising the Minister for Law, Minister for Local Government, Advocate General Sindh and others to further review the proposed legislation and submit its recommendations to the Chief Minister before final approval and introduction in the Provincial Assembly.The proposed law is expected to promote transparency, encourage investment, strengthen land governance and ensure efficient utilisation of state land for public welfare and economic development.Minimum wage increase approved\u06d4The cabinet also approved the recommendations of the Minimum Wages Board for a 7.5 per cent increase in minimum wages across the province with effect from July 1, 2026.Under the revised rates, the minimum wage for unskilled workers has been increased from Rs40,000 to Rs43,000 per month, while wages for semi-skilled, skilled and highly skilled workers have also been enhanced accordingly. The decision applies to workers employed in notified industrial and commercial establishments across Sindh.People\u2019s Community Health Services Company budget \u06d4The cabinet approved the budget of the People\u2019s Community Health Services Company for the financial year 2026-27, including Rs200 million as seed money and a grant of Rs2.723 billion.Established under Section 42 of the Companies Act, 2017, the company aims to strengthen community-level primary healthcare services and expand coverage to underserved populations.\u00a0The Cabinet also approved the appointment of Ms Saher Iftikhar Khan, PAS (BS-19), as Chief Executive Officer of the company in place of the earlier nominee and authorised the Chief Minister to approve future changes in the company\u2019s Board of Directors.\u06d4Import of 0.5 MMT of wheatThe Cabinet approved the import of 0.5 million metric tons (MMT) of wheat through the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) to meet the province\u2019s food security requirements for 2026-27.The cabinet was informed that Sindh is expected to face a wheat shortfall of around 1.69 million metric tons, with total wheat availability estimated at 4.84 million metric tons against an annual consumption demand of 6.53 million metric tons.After detailed deliberations, the cabinet approved the import of 0.5 MMT wheat through TCP under the framework being coordinated by the Federal Government. \u06d4\u06d4Contracts of Lyari education and health employees extended \u06d4\u06d4The cabinet approved a one-year extension in the contractual services of employees working in the Education and Medical Departments of Town Municipal Corporation (TMC) Lyari, effective from March 11, 2026, to March 10, 2027.The decision covers 254 contractual employees, including 176 employees of the Education Department and 78 employees of the Medical Department. The employees were initially appointed in Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) during 2012-13 and were subsequently transferred to district and town municipal administrations following local government restructuring.The cabinet was informed that TMC Lyari had undertaken to meet the salary expenditure from its own budget without creating any additional financial liability for the provincial government.\u06d4\u06d4NESPAK hired for Lyari Transformation ProjectThe cabinet also approved the hiring of the National Engineering Services Pakistan (NESPAK) as the consultant for design, preparation of bidding documents and construction supervision of Phase-I of the Lyari Transformation Project (LTP).The decision follows recommendations of the Project Steering Committee, which reviewed the consultancy terms and found them appropriate in view of the scale and complexity of the project. NESPAK had previously conducted detailed surveys and prepared the feasibility study for the Lyari Transformation Project, which forms part of the broader Lyari Town Infrastructure Development Plan 2040.Vehicle Registration and Insurance ReformsThe cabinet reviewed proposals relating to off-road vehicle de-registration, motor dealer holding-period relief and Motor Third-Party Insurance (MTPI) continuity at ownership transfer.After discussion, the chief minister directed the Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department to undertake the necessary amendments in the relevant law and resubmit the proposals to the cabinet for final consideration.PPP Unit Restructured into Government-Owned CompanyThe cabinet approved the restructuring of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Unit into a wholly government-owned private limited company to strengthen institutional capacity, improve project delivery and enhance financial sustainability.The proposed entity, to be incorporated under the Companies Act, 2017, will serve as the successor institution of the existing PPP Unit and will be responsible for PPP policy development, governance, project facilitation and portfolio management. The move is aimed at addressing challenges related to weak departmental PPP nodes, increasing project complexity, human resource retention and portfolio oversight.The cabinet approved the establishment of the company with an authorised capital of Rs8 billion and paid-up capital of Rs2 billion. It also sanctioned an out-of-budget provision of Rs500 million as seed money for operational and establishment expenses.The Finance Department was authorised to complete all incorporation formalities, while the current Director General of the PPP Unit will serve as the first Chief Executive Officer of the company. The cabinet also approved proposed amendments to the Sindh Public-Private Partnership Act to provide legal backing for the restructuring, strengthen PPP governance and improve monitoring of PPP projects across the province.The restructuring is expected to enhance Sindh\u2019s ability to attract private investment, accelerate infrastructure and development projects, and create a more sustainable and efficient PPP framework.Cabinet extends People\u2019s Housing Initiative to Gilgit-BaltistanThe Cabinet approved the extension of the Sindh People\u2019s Housing for Flood Affectees (SPHF) programme to Gilgit-Baltistan for the reconstruction of 196 flood-damaged houses at an estimated cost of Rs376.3 million.The cabinet authorised SPHF to undertake validation, enrolment and disbursement processes based on the list provided by the Gilgit-Baltistan government and approved the engagement of the National Rural Support Programme (NRSP) as the implementing partner. The initiative follows Sindh\u2019s ongoing support for flood rehabilitation in Balochistan, where reconstruction of 4,500 houses is already underway.Tolling of Mehran Highway for Heavy Commercial TrafficThe Cabinet approved the imposition of toll on the 135-kilometre Nawabshah\u2013Ranipur (Mehran Highway), primarily targeting heavy and commercial vehicles, to generate dedicated resources for road maintenance and rehabilitation.The cabinet was informed that the highway, which connects Shaheed Benazirabad, Naushahro Feroze and Khairpur districts, carries more than 22,000 vehicles daily and is undergoing dualization at an estimated cost of Rs41 billion. The proposed tolling system is expected to generate gross annual revenue of around Rs2.14 billion, with net annual revenue estimated at Rs1.48 billion after operational expenses.The generated funds will be utilised exclusively for the operation, maintenance, rehabilitation and further improvement of the highway and related infrastructure. The cabinet approved the adoption of a class-based fixed toll rate system and the implementation of the proposed toll collection and revenue management mechanism.Membership of four strategic reform Task ForcesThe cabinet approved the composition of four high-level task forces constituted to provide strategic advice on long-term reforms in key sectors, including Economy, Finance & Industry; Water; Climate Change; and Artificial Intelligence, Digital Transformation & Virtual Assets.The task forces comprise leading economists, academics, industry experts, environmental specialists and technology professionals from Pakistan and abroad. They will advise the government on policy reforms, institutional strengthening, investment promotion, innovation, governance improvements and sustainable development strategies in their respective sectors.The cabinet directed the task forces to submit recommendations to support evidence-based policymaking and accelerate Sindh\u2019s long-term development agenda.Works & Services Department Renamed as Communication & Works DepartmentThe cabinet also approved the proposal to restore the traditional name of the Works & Services Department as the Communication & Works (C&W) Department by amending relevant provisions of the Sindh Government Rules of Business, 1986.The decision was taken to align Sindh with the nomenclature used in other provinces and at the federal level, where departments responsible for roads, bridges, public buildings and transport infrastructure are commonly known as Communication & Works Departments.Board of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Institute for Democracy & FederalismThe Sindh Cabinet endorsed the constitution of the Board of the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Institute for Democracy and Federalism (SBBIDF), established under the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Institute for Democracy and Federalism Act, 2024.The cabinet approved the nomination of Senior Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah as Chairperson of the Board and endorsed the inclusion of representatives from the family of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, academia, intelligentsia, civil society and relevant government departments. The Universities & Boards Department was authorized to issue the necessary notification for constitution of the Board.DCs designated as administrators for Evacuee Trust PropertiesThe cabinet approved a proposal to designate Deputy Commissioners across Sindh as Administrators of their respective districts for the protection, regulation and management of Evacuee Trust Properties under the Sindh Evacuee Trust Properties (Management and Disposal) Act, 2021.The decision aims to strengthen administrative oversight of evacuee properties in Sindh pending resolution of legal and administrative matters relating to their management.Anti-terrorism law amendments\u00a0The cabinet approved proposed amendments to the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 and the Sindh Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Act, 2025 for introduction in the Provincial Assembly. The amendments are aimed at streamlining the administration and functioning of Anti-Terrorism Courts to ensure expeditious disposal of terrorism-related cases.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Wednesday presided over cabinet meeting that approved a series of far-reaching policy, governance, economic and development initiatives, including the import of 0.5 million metric tons (MMT) of wheat, a 7.5 per cent increase in minimum wages, restructuring of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Unit into a government-owned company, …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":71095,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[63],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-71094","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-63"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/baldiyattimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71094","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/baldiyattimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/baldiyattimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/baldiyattimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/baldiyattimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=71094"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/baldiyattimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71094\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":71096,"href":"https:\/\/baldiyattimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71094\/revisions\/71096"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/baldiyattimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/71095"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/baldiyattimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=71094"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/baldiyattimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=71094"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/baldiyattimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=71094"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}