• CM Murad stresses need for phased transition, says safeguards essential to manage price volatility
• Meeting decides to engage law firm to scrutinise ToRs of 11th NFC
• Rs1.2bn approved for provincial intelligence and counterterrorism centre

KARACHI: The Sindh cabinet on Tuesday formed a ministerial committee to review the federal government’s plan with regard to full deregulation of the country’s sugar sector.

The meeting, presided over by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah at the CM House, asked the committee to submit its detailed recommendations at the next meeting of the cabinet.

According to a press statement, the cabinet was briefed on the federal government’s plan to fully deregulate the country’s sugar sector by 2026.

The meeting was informed that Sindh contributes 26 per cent of national sugar cane production with 38 sugar mills across 16 districts.

The meeting stressed the need for a phased transition.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister directed that farmers’ interests must be protected through third-party weighing, transparent payment timelines and advance notification of banned low-yield cane varieties.

Efficiency cannot come at the cost of growers, he said, adding that safeguards were essential to manage price volatility during the transition.

Approving a set of financial, administrative and policy decisions, the cabinet also decided to engage an independent legal firm to review the terms of reference (ToRs) of the 11th National Finance Commission.

Climate change fund

The cabinet also approved the establishment of the Sindh Climate Change Fund and the Sindh Climate Change Board.

The fund will be financed primarily through a 12pc corresponding adjustment fee on net revenue from carbon credit sales.

The chief minister said Sindh would not compromise on its constitutional and financial rights, firmly rejecting any policy that allowed redistribution of the provinces’ unutilised climate funds.

“Sindh will safeguard its share and ensure climate financing directly benefits vulnerable communities,” he asserted.

On internal security, the cabinet approved Rs1.24 billion for the operationalisation of the Provincial Intelligence Fusion & Threat Assessment Centre (PIFTAC) — an arm of the National Intelligence Fusion & Threat Assessment Centre.

The package includes funding for equipment, staffing, maintenance and vehicles. However, the cabinet directed that procurement of vehicles be placed before the Cabinet Committee on Austerity Measures.

CM Shah was of the view that security institutions must be strengthened, but with financial discipline and justification for every expense.

Heritage conservation

For heritage conservation, the cabinet approved Rs109.5 million, 50pc of the total cost, for the preservation and restoration of St. Saviour’s Church in Sukkur and St. Thomas Cathedral in Hyderabad, with the remaining funds to be provided in the next financial year.

“Sindh’s heritage belongs to all communities and must be preserved with care and dignity,” the chief minister said.

The cabinet also approved Rs30m for the Karachi Literature Festival and Rs100m for strengthening Sindh Archives, including publication of rare manuscripts, conservation of old newspapers, digitisation of records and establishment of an oral history and archival gallery.

The cabinet approved a Rs190.211m scheme for the construction of a second floor at the Girls Hostel of NED University of Engineering & Technology.

The CM observed expanding student accommodation was essential to support female enrolment in higher education.

The cabinet granted a one-year exemption from infrastructure cess to the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust, recognising its status as a non-profit cancer hospital and facilitating the import of life-saving medical equipment.

The chief minister said the government’s priority was delivery, not just approvals, stressing that public funds must translate into visible improvements in services and quality of life. Every rupee approved by the cabinet must be utilised transparently and monitored rigorously, he directed.

Published in Dawn, January 14th, 2026