KARACHI: Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that the partnership between the Sindh government and the World Bank is central to the province’s reform and recovery agenda.

“We want faster implementation, stronger outcomes and visible impact for citizens,” he said while chairing an in-depth, sector-wise review meeting with a 10-member WB delegation on Wednesday.

The bank’s delegation, led by Country Director Bolormaa Amgaabazar, called on the CM to assess ongoing projects.

The meeting was attended by provincial ministers Nasir Shah, Sardar Shah, Jam Khan Shoro, Muhammad Ali Malkani, Adviser Gianchand Israni, Mayor Murtaza Wahab, Special Assistant Qasim Naveed, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah and others.

World Bank funds 13 projects in province with total commitment of $3.8bn, meeting told

The meeting was informed that the Sindh’s active World Bank portfolio comprises 13 projects with a total commitment of $3.8 billion. So far, $1.96bn had been disbursed and for the current financial year, the Sindh government and the World Bank set a base disbursement target of $700.25 million.

According to a press statement, the CM directed provincial departments to resolve bottlenecks, accelerate procurement and ensure timely disbursements. “Every dollar must translate into measurable improvements in people’s lives,” he said.

The meeting was informed that urban development, transport and municipal services projects include the $230m Competitive and Livable City of Karachi (Click) Project of $230 million; $382m Karachi Mobility Project and $100m Solid Waste Emergency and Efficiency Project.

The officials said that 161 schemes in several Town Municipal Committees (TMCs) amounting to $66.7m are under implementation, of which 47 schemes had been completed. The overall average physical progress stands at 61 per cent, while remaining schemes are scheduled to be completed by March 30, 2026.

Eight Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) schemes worth $19m are ongoing with an overall average physical progress of 57pc, the officials said, adding four KMC schemes are under the procurement process, and contracts are expected to be awarded soon.

‘3.1m Karachi houses counted in ongoing survey’

Regarding the urban property tax survey in the metropolis, the meeting was informed that the door-to-door survey was going on in all city districts.

The officials said that out of 3.3m properties, so far 3.1m properties enumerated.

The CM said that revenue of local government organisations would increase after completion of the property tax survey.

He stressed integrated urban planning, stating, “Karachi’s mobility, solid waste and municipal reforms must move together to deliver liveability and economic competitiveness.”

The meeting also discussed the water, sanitation and irrigation portfolio, which includes $40m Karachi Water & Sewerage Services Improvement Project (KWSSIP), $240m Second KWSSIP, $292m Sindh Water & Agriculture Transformation (SWAT) Project and $291.23m Sindh Barrages Improvement Project.

The meeting was informed that the provincial government had 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.”

The meeting also discussed $154.76m Sindh Early Learning Enhancement through Classroom Transformation (SELECT) project.

It was informed that teaching and learning materials for Grades 3 to 5 had been distributed in all targeted schools.

The project is transforming classrooms and improving early-grade learning outcomes, officials said.

The CM directed departments to accelerate procurement and disbursements to meet targets.

The health and population portfolio includes $200m Sindh Integrated Health & Population Project and the $359m National Health Support Program (Sindh Chapter).

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 also discussed $200m project pertains to strengthening social protection delivery system, $135m Sindh Livestock & Aquaculture Sectors Transformation Project, $650m Sindh Flood Emergency Rehabilitation Project and $950m Sindh Flood Emergency Housing Reconstruction Project.

Published in Dawn, December 18th, 2025