KARACHI: The Sindh cabinet on Tuesday approved a broad package of financial, infrastructure, energy, health, security and education initiatives, sanctioning Rs8.824 billion for water and drainage schemes across the province and Rs11.198 billion for major infrastructure projects in Karachi.

According to a statement issued by the CM House, the cabinet approved Rs8.824bn in additional funds for 16 Annual Development Programme (ADP) schemes in the water supply and drainage sector for the financial year 2025-26.

Of this amount, Rs6.206bn will be re-appropriated from the ADP block allocation, while Rs2.618bn will come from another development allocation. The chief minister directed the relevant administrative departments to ensure that all payments are made within the current financial year.

The cabinet approved 11 non-ADP infrastructure schemes under the Karachi Mega Project, to be financed through the allocation for ‘New Development Initiatives’ of the ADP 2025-26. These projects carry a cumulative estimated cost of Rs11.198bn.

Rs8.824bn also approved for water and drainage schemes across the province

The schemes include the improvement and rehabilitation of important roads and transport corridors in Karachi, such as Haji Ibrahim Essa Road, Haji Camp Road, Korangi Link Road, roads in Clifton connecting to Marine Drive, Mehran and Pajero roads in Scheme-33, Korangi Creek Airbase Road, the extension of Jinnah Avenue in Gulzar-i-Hijri and the Baldia Stadium Road project linking Shahrah-i-Orangi to Hub River Road.

The cabinet also approved the construction of two major bridges at Power House Chowrangi in North Karachi and 4-K Chowrangi in Surjani Town to improve traffic flow and urban connectivity.

To kick-start these schemes, the cabinet sanctioned Rs560 million - around five per cent of the total estimated cost - from the ADP during the current financial year.

The cabinet approved the introduction of a new framework to receive the province’s constitutionally mandated 12.5 per cent natural gas royalty in kind, instead of entirely in cash, on a field-to-field basis.

The meeting was told that the natural gas royalty shift could add Rs26bn annually.

The cabinet also approved the Sindh Nursing Workforce Strategic Policy 2026-2040 to address severe shortages.

Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Pechuho informed the cabinet that the province currently has 34,817 registered nurses, midwives and lady health visitors, including around 23,000 nurses, equivalent to just 0.63 nurses per 1,000 people, far below the WHO benchmark of 3.33.

The cabinet also sanctioned Rs485m for the rehabilitation of the Dargah of Qalandar Lal Shahbaz, Lal Bagh and Civic Centre in Sehwan, with Rs24.25m released for the commencement of the work.

The cabinet ratified the appointment of Rashida Siddiqui, a retired District and Sessions Judge, as a consultant to the law department for a period of three years.

It also approved the appointment of Barrister Syed Ghulam Shabbir Shah as Prosecutor General Sindh.

Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2026