KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Wednesday said that the partnership between the Sindh government and the World Bank (WB) remains central to the province’s reform and recovery agenda, stressing the need for faster implementation, stronger outcomes and visible impact for citizens.
He was chairing a detailed, sector-wise review meeting with a 10-member World Bank delegation led by Country Director Bolormaa Amgaabazar, which called on the chief minister to assess progress on ongoing projects.
The meeting was attended by provincial ministers Nasir Shah, Sardar Shah, Jam Khan Shoro and Muhammad Ali Malkani, Adviser Gianchand Israni, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, Special Assistant Qasim Naveed, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah and other senior officials.
Officials informed the meeting that Sindh’s active World Bank portfolio comprises 13 projects with a total commitment of $3.8 billion. Of this, $1.96 billion has already been disbursed, while for the current financial year both sides have set a base disbursement target of $700.25 million.
Directing provincial departments to remove bottlenecks, accelerate procurement and ensure timely disbursements, the chief minister said, “Every dollar must translate into measurable improvements in people’s lives.”
The meeting reviewed major urban development, transport and municipal services initiatives, including the $230 million Competitive and Livable City of Karachi (CLICK) Project, the $382 million Karachi Mobility Project and the $100 million Solid Waste Emergency and Efficiency Project.
Officials said 161 schemes worth $66.7 million are under implementation across several Town Municipal Committees (TMCs), of which 47 have been completed. Overall physical progress stands at 61 per cent, with the remaining schemes scheduled for completion by March 30, 2026. In addition, eight Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) schemes valued at $19 million are ongoing with an average physical progress of 57 per cent, while four more KMC schemes are in the procurement stage and expected to be awarded soon.
On the urban property tax survey, the meeting was told that door-to-door enumeration is underway across Karachi. Out of 3.3 million properties, around 3.1 million have so far been enumerated. The chief minister said completion of the survey would significantly enhance revenues of local government organisations.
Emphasising integrated urban planning, CM Murad said, “Karachi’s mobility, solid waste and municipal reforms must move together to deliver liveability and economic competitiveness.”
The meeting also reviewed the water, sanitation and irrigation portfolio, which includes the $40 million Karachi Water and Sewerage Services Improvement Project (KWSSIP), the $240 million Second KWSSIP, the $292 million Sindh Water and Agriculture Transformation (SWAT) Project and the $291.23 million Sindh Barrages Improvement Project. Officials informed the meeting that work on the K-IV augmentation project has also commenced.
Highlighting the importance of water security, the chief minister said, “Water and sanitation investments are not optional — they are fundamental to public health, climate resilience and economic growth.”
Education initiatives were also discussed, including the $154.76 million Sindh Early Learning Enhancement through Classroom Transformation (SELECT) project. Officials said teaching and learning materials for Grades 3 to 5 have been distributed in all targeted schools, contributing to improved early-grade learning outcomes. The CM directed departments to further accelerate procurement and disbursements.
The health and population portfolio reviewed at the meeting includes the $200 million Sindh Integrated Health and Population Project and the $359 million National Health Support Program (Sindh Chapter). Stressing the urgency of service delivery, the chief minister said, “Primary healthcare, maternal and child health, and emergency services remain top priorities — delivery speed must match the urgency of need.”
Other projects discussed included a $200 million initiative to strengthen the social protection delivery system, the $135 million Sindh Livestock and Aquaculture Sectors Transformation Project, the $650 million Sindh Flood Emergency Rehabilitation Project and the $950 million Sindh Flood Emergency Housing Reconstruction Project.
