Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, accompanied by his team, met a 10-member World Bank delegation led by Country Director Najy Benhassine on Thursday to review progress on four major World Bank-funded projects and agreed on the urgent need to expedite implementation to ensure the timely delivery of benefits to the targeted populations across Sindh.
Officials said the meeting, held at the CM House, was attended by provincial officials, including Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Pechuho, Minister for Local Government Saeed Ghani, Chairman Planning & Development Najam Shah, Special Assistant to the CM Sarfraz Rajpar, and senior secretaries from health, social protection, and local government departments.
The World Bank delegation comprised 10 experts, including Operation Officer Hina Salim Lotia, Practice Manager Josses Mugabi, and Disaster Management Specialist Ms Lesley Jeanne Yu.
Karachi Water and Sewerage Services Improvement Project (KWSSIP-II): Building on the success of Phase I, KWSSIP-II aims to scale up water and sanitation services across Karachi. The Sindh government side pointed out that a newly drafted Project Operational Manual (POM) has been finalised and submitted to the World Bank for approval.
The POM defines policies, procedures, and an updated organisational structure for the Project Implementation Unit (PIU), which will recruit specialised consultants in environment, social safeguards, gender, finance, procurement, occupational health and safety, technical operations, communication, monitoring and evaluation, GIS and IT.
“The PIU will continue reporting to the project director, who holds full authority over all project decisions. This strategic framework is designed to enhance service delivery for Karachi’s rapidly growing population,” the CM said.
Sindh Integrated Health & Population 1,000 Days Project: With a budget of Rs61.6 billion, this ambitious project aims to rehabilitate and upgrade 392 government dispensaries and 121 basic health units, significantly improving access to essential health services. The initiative also emphasises women’s empowerment through skill development and microfinance.
A road show for potential contractors is scheduled for May 19, 2025, following the completion of the first phase of health facility surveys. This project represents a major stride toward universal health coverage in Sindh.
Social Protection Delivery System: CM Shah said that targeting the most vulnerable communities in 15 rural districts, this Rs48.3 billion program has already enrolled over 622,000 beneficiaries. He added that it features real-time payment services and newly established operational offices to ensure efficient delivery of social protection benefits. This system complements the health project by addressing socio-economic upliftment comprehensively.
Sindh Transformational Accelerated Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Services (STAR WASH): A $400 million World Bank-funded initiative, potentially supported by an additional $300 million from the Asian Development Bank, STAR WASH focuses on improving rural water, sanitation, and hygiene in nine districts.
Seed funding, recruitment, and operational setup have been stalled, threatening project timelines and international confidence. The Sindh government has proposed high-level engagement with the World Bank and provisional fund allocation to revive momentum.
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah emphasised the government’s dedication to fast-tracking these projects, highlighting their transformative potential for Sindh’s health, water, sanitation, and social protection sectors.
The World Bank delegation expressed strong support and pledged to facilitate swift approvals and technical assistance to overcome bottlenecks. This collaborative effort between Sindh’s government and the World Bank marks a pivotal moment in advancing sustainable development, improving public services, and uplifting the quality of life for millions across the province.