KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has directed the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) to provide technical and institutional support to upgrade a cardiac hospital in Gilgit-Baltistan and proposed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the GB government and NICVD to formalise the cooperation.

The direction and proposal came during a meeting between Chief Minister Murad and GB Chief Minister Amjad Hussain Azar at CM House on Tuesday, following a request by the GB chief executive for Sindh government’s assistance in improving facilities at a cardiac hospital in his province.

Responding to the request, CM Shah said that NICVD would assist in improving cardiac healthcare services in Gilgit-Baltistan, enabling patients to benefit from better treatment facilities.

A press statement issued by CM House after the meeting said that the two chief ministers also held detailed discussions on the establishment of a revenue board in Gilgit-Baltistan and the development of an effective revenue administration system.

Mr Shah directed the chairman of the Sindh Revenue Board to extend full assistance to the GB government and said that Sindh was ready to share its institutional experience and provide the necessary support to help strengthen revenue administration.

The meeting also reviewed progress on the reconstruction of houses for families affected by floods in Gilgit-Baltistan, with the Sindh chief minister recalling that Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari had directed the reconstruction of 200 homes for flood-affected families in the region.

Mr Shah said that a team from Sindh Peoples Housing for Flood Affectees (SPHF) had begun survey work in coordination with the GB administration to assess housing needs.

He directed SPHF Chief Khalid Shaikh to ensure that construction of the houses in GB began in January or February and emphasised close coordination to complete preparatory work without unnecessary delays.

The meeting was attended, among others, by Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar; Special Assistant to the Sindh CM for Investment Syed Qasim Naveed; Karachi Port Trust chairman Retired Rear Admiral Shahid Ahmed; Health Secretary Tahir Sangi; and NICVD Professor Dr Asad Bilal.

The meeting concluded with an understanding to strengthen cooperation between the two governments in healthcare, revenue administration and housing reconstruction, with Sindh offering institutional support and technical expertise to help address key public service challenges in GB.

Published in Dawn, October 28th, 2026