By Imtiaz Hussain
KARACHI: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari chaired a high-level meeting at Bilawal House on Wednesday to review a series of strategic development initiatives aimed at accelerating economic growth, attracting international investment and positioning Sindh as a regional centre for infrastructure, finance, technology and sustainable development.
The meeting was attended by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Provincial Minister for Agriculture Sardar Muhammad Bakhsh Mahar, Chief Secretary Sindh Asif Hyder Shah and Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Agha Wasif.
During the meeting, the chief minister briefed the PPP chairman on three major strategic projects proposed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework.
Among the key initiatives reviewed was the proposed Keti Bandar Integrated Corridor, a long-term development project intended to transform Keti Bandar into a modern maritime, logistics, industrial and energy hub. The proposed corridor includes plans for port infrastructure, logistics facilities, industrial zones, energy projects, fisheries, tourism and related economic activities aimed at strengthening Sindh’s maritime economy, boosting exports, generating employment and attracting domestic and foreign investment.
The meeting also reviewed plans for the proposed Sindh International Financial Centre (SIFC), which is designed to reinforce Karachi’s position as Pakistan’s financial capital. The project aims to promote infrastructure finance, Islamic finance, climate finance, financial technology, international commercial services, dispute resolution and global investment. Officials said the initiative would help mobilise capital for infrastructure, housing, technology, industrial development and climate-resilient projects while improving investor confidence.
Participants were also briefed on the Data Infrastructure Initiative, which seeks to utilise Sindh’s renewable energy resources to establish renewable energy-powered data centres, cloud computing facilities, artificial intelligence infrastructure and digital technology parks. The project is intended to attract leading international technology companies and position Sindh as a regional destination for sustainable digital infrastructure and next-generation technology investment.
The meeting further reviewed a proposal relating to Farmers’ Agricultural Collectives. Agriculture Minister Sardar Muhammad Bakhsh Mahar presented the initiative, which aims to organise small farmers into legally recognised and democratically managed collectives to improve productivity and strengthen access to modern agricultural services.
According to the presentation, the initiative would promote the shared use of farm machinery, efficient water management, renewable energy solutions, digital advisory services, market access, financing opportunities and technical support. It also seeks to encourage climate-smart agriculture, create rural employment and increase farm incomes through more efficient and collaborative farming practices.
The meeting observed that the proposed initiatives had the potential to stimulate economic activity, create high-value employment opportunities, attract international investment, strengthen exports and make a significant contribution to the economic development of both Sindh and Pakistan.
Following detailed discussions, participants agreed that implementing projects of this scale would require stronger institutions and specialised technical expertise. The meeting therefore endorsed a proposal to transform the existing Public-Private Partnership Unit into a company, allowing greater operational flexibility and enabling the recruitment of highly qualified specialists to manage complex strategic projects.
It was also agreed that internationally recognised transaction advisers would be appointed to conduct comprehensive feasibility studies, develop internationally competitive project structures and legal frameworks, and assist the Sindh government in attracting reputable domestic and international investors for the implementation of the projects under the Public-Private Partnership framework.
Addressing the meeting, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said the proposed initiatives reflected a long-term vision for Sindh’s economic transformation and reaffirmed his commitment to creating an enabling environment for private investment, innovation and sustainable development through world-class public-private partnerships.
