Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah. PHOTO: Radio Pakistan
KARACHI:
The Sindh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, approved a comprehensive set of financial, administrative and policy decisions covering education, culture, security, agriculture, climate action, infrastructure and social protection, while directing all departments to ensure timely execution, transparency and measurable results.
The meeting, held at CM House, was attended by provincial ministers, advisors, special assistants, chief secretary and relevant secretaries.
Presenting the report of the Cabinet Finance Committee, Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah briefed the cabinet on several recommendations. The cabinet approved a Rs 190.211 million plan for the construction of a second floor in the girls’ hostel of NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi. The Prime Minister noted that expanding student accommodation was essential to support the enrollment of women in higher education.
For heritage conservation, the cabinet approved Rs 109.5 million (50 per cent of the total cost) for the preservation and restoration of St. Saviour’s Church in Sukkur and St. Thomas Cathedral Church in Hyderabad, with the remaining funds to be provided in the next financial year. “The heritage of Sindh belongs to all communities and must be preserved with care and dignity,” the prime minister said.
The cabinet also approved Rs 30 million for the Karachi Literature Festival and Rs 100 million to strengthen the Sindh Archives, including publication of rare manuscripts, conservation of old newspapers, digitization of records and establishment of an archive and oral history gallery.
Climate action and carbon finance
In a historic decision, the cabinet approved the establishment of the Sindh Climate Change Fund and the Sindh Climate Change Board. The fund will be financed primarily through a corresponding 12 percent adjustment fee on net proceeds from carbon credit sales.
The cabinet granted a one-year exemption from Infrastructure Tax to the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust, recognizing its status as a non-profit cancer hospital and facilitating the import of life-saving medical equipment.
