KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah held a high-level meeting with a World Bank team led by Country Director Najy Benhassine via video link to review the progress of a $3.1 billion active portfolio encompassing 13 developmental projects in the province.
Officials said the discussion focused on accelerating the K-IV Augmentation Project, producing a root cause analysis (RCA) report on the recent gate failure incident in Sukkur Barrage, along with solar energy initiatives, infrastructure rehabilitation, and advancements in urban mobility.
During the meeting, the CM emphasised the significance of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Services Improvement Project (KWSSIP), which aims to improve access to safe water and enhance the operational efficiency of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC). He outlined the project’s three main components: operational reforms, infrastructure investments, and project management.
He said work on the K-IV Augmentation Project, a $256 million component of the KWSSIP, would begin on December 30, 2024, and the land acquisition and necessary corrective measures were expected to be completed by February 2025.
Moreover, the CM instructed the chief secretary to facilitate the release of funds to commence the K-IV Augmentation works. The other important projects discussed in the meeting included the Sukkur Barrage Rehabilitation, for which the preparation of the RCA report for gate failures is in progress, and the establishment of a maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) division has been announced.
Additionally, the two sides discussed progress in the Akram Wah Rehabilitation and the Sindh Water and Agriculture Transformation Project (SWAT), which aims to improve agricultural water productivity and support flood-affected farmers.
Another key focus of the meeting was the Karachi Mobility Project (KMP), a $382 million initiative designed to enhance mobility and accessibility through the development of the Yellow Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. The project has achieved 12 per cent physical progress, with designs already approved, and the World Bank team expressed satisfaction with the ongoing efforts.
The discussions also included the Sindh Solar Energy Project (SSEP), a $100 million initiative aimed at enhancing solar power generation and improving electricity access in the province. The first shipment of Solar Home Systems (SHS) kits arrived on December 11, with additional shipments scheduled for February and March 2025.
The CM underscored the importance of solarising public buildings, with 19 sites expected to be completed by December 2024 and the remaining four by January 2025. Progress in solar power parks was reviewed where land lease agreements and advisory services are currently in progress.
Separately, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah met Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari at Bilawal House for a second time in two days.
On Wednesday the CM had met the PPP chief alone. In the one-on-one meeting Shah had briefed Bilawal about the performance of the provincial government.
On Thursday the CM was accompanied by Planning & Development and Energy Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Senior Information and Transport Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, CM’s Special Assistant on Investment and Public-Private Partnership Syed Qasim Naveed Qamar and Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab.
A brief statement issued by Bilawal House said the PPP chief was briefed about under-construction development projects in different urban centres of the province.
Meanwhile, Sukkur City Mayor Arsalan Islam Sheikh also met the PPP chief at Bilawal House, where the mayor gave a briefing on the ongoing development schemes in Sukkur and other aspects related to governance. The mayor is also the spokesman for the provincial government.
The PPP chief also met Sindh Assembly Speaker Syed Awais Qadir Shah at Bilawal House. The meeting discussed different affairs related to legislation and legislature in the province. Bilawal also met MPA Sheeraz Rajpar.
The meeting took into consideration the problems faced by Khairpur’s people and their possible solutions.
Bilawal also met PPP leader and former federal minister Arbab Wazir Memon. Arbab Kamran and Arbab Gul Muhammad were also present on the occasion. The meeting discussed the political situation in Sujawal.
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