Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah held discussions with a delegation from the World Bank, led by Country Director Mr. Najy Benhassine, regarding the advancement of 13 ongoing projects worth $3.2 billion, as reported by Hanif Samoon.
During the meeting, it was revealed that 40% of the allocated funds, amounting to $1.33 billion, have already been disbursed. Both parties agreed to accelerate the pace of these projects by addressing any existing hurdles to ensure their timely completion. Among those present at the meeting were provincial ministers Dr. Azra Pechuho, Nasir Shah, Saeed Ghani, Mohammad Bux Maher, Jam Khan Shoro, Chief Secretary Syed Asif Hyder Shah, Chairman P&D Najam Shah, PSCM Agha Wasif, Secretary Finance Fayaz Jatoi, along with other relevant secretaries.
One of the major projects discussed was the Karachi Mobility initiative, which encompasses various components aimed at enhancing urban transport infrastructure. This includes the development of road infrastructure for the Yellow Line Corridor, operationalization efforts, and capacity building and technical assistance.
Minister of Transport Sharjeel Memon informed the gathering about the progress on constructing the Jam Sadiq Bridges, integral to the Yellow Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. He mentioned that the contract for the design and build phase has been signed with a firm, with preliminary work underway and major construction scheduled to commence by June 15.
Additionally, discussions revolved around the Competitive & Liveable City of Karachi (CLICK) project, which focuses on improving urban governance and service delivery. Minister of Local Government Saeed Ghani provided updates on the various components of the project and highlighted efforts to expedite performance-based grants and capacity building initiatives for local councils.
Other projects, such as the Solid Waste Emergency& Efficiency Project (SWEEP), Karachi Water and Sewerage Services Improvement Project (KWSSIP), Sindh Solar Energy Project (SSEP), and several others, were also reviewed during the meeting. The chief minister emphasized the importance of these projects in enhancing infrastructure, addressing environmental challenges, and promoting socio-economic development across the province. Efforts to streamline processes and accelerate project implementation were emphasized to ensure maximum benefit for the people of Sindh.
