By Sajjad Shah
KARACHI: The Sindh cabinet approved a long-term partnership with The Citizens Foundation (TCF) to take over the management of selected municipal schools in Malir, Chanesar and Lyari, a move the government said was aimed at improving access to free, quality education in some of Karachi’s most underserved areas.
Under the agreement, 21 municipal schools would be run by TCF, which would be responsible for construction, repairs, administration and day-to-day management. The cabinet said students enrolled at these schools would be provided free education, uniforms and learning materials. Municipal corporations would retain ownership of the land and buildings and make them available at no cost.
Officials said the agreement had been set for an initial period of 25 years, with the option of extension by mutual consent. Following cabinet approval, the authorities said immediate construction, rehabilitation and activation of the schools would now be possible, ending years of neglect at several facilities. The decision was taken on the recommendation of the local government department.
In a separate move, the cabinet also approved the closure of the Sindh Land Management and Development Company Limited, citing the completion of its mandate. The company had been established in 2010 under the Board of Revenue and was tasked with land development planning and the execution of related projects, including the planning of urban, residential, commercial and industrial plots.
The cabinet said the company’s role had effectively ended after the creation of the Zulfiqarabad City Development Authority and the establishment of the Lyari Development Authority, which had taken over key responsibilities. As a result, ministers concluded that maintaining the land management company was no longer justified and formally approved its shutdown.
Together, the decisions reflected a shift in provincial priorities, pairing public land with private-sector expertise in education while winding down institutions deemed redundant in the evolving administrative landscape.
