These include the K-IV water supply scheme, upgrades to the Hub Dam, and the expansion of major stormwater drains—projects officials say are essential for Karachi’s long-term resilience
By Sajjad Shah
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Saturday announced a significant boost to Karachi’s urban infrastructure, revealing that the provincial government had allocated Rs85.5 billion for clean water supply and drainage systems as part of what he described as a “record-breaking” development portfolio that had now crossed the Rs1 trillion mark.
Shah, who was chairing a detailed review meeting on the 2025–26 development portfolio, said the funds were being channeled towards some of the city’s most long-awaited and technically complex projects. These include the K-IV water supply scheme, Hub Dam improvements, and the expansion of major stormwater drains—projects.
The Sindh CM said these projects were essential not only for the city’s immediate needs but also for its resilience against future climate-related shocks. According to Shah, funds for these schemes had already been released in a bid to prevent bureaucratic delays and ensure steady progress. He said that 293 schemes tied to water, sanitation, and municipal services had been formally approved.
The Chief Minister instructed the Chief Secretary to fast-track the release of funds for all cleared projects, stressing that administrative bottlenecks had in the past slowed down work on critical urban services. He also reviewed infrastructure plans for expanding water supply and sewerage systems in both Karachi’s densely populated urban neighborhoods and in the rural pockets of the province, where access to basic services remains inconsistent.
The Chief Minister also drew attention to the Sindh People’s Housing Finance (SPHF) program, which he described as the largest housing initiative in the world for families affected by the 2022 floods.
The Chief Minister said that 1.4 million payments had already been made under the scheme and that one million plinths for new homes had been completed. According to him, one of the most transformative elements of the program had been the transfer of land ownership rights to nine lakh women, giving them a level of economic security rarely seen at this scale in Pakistan.
Other development sectors came under review as well. Shah received briefings on ongoing projects in education, health, agriculture, roads, canals, small dams, and social protection. He examined updates on 620 road projects handled by the Works and Services Department, reiterating that improving connectivity.
