KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah chaired a high-level review meeting with the National Assembly Standing Committee on Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, led by Chairman Syed Abdul Qadir Gillani. Top provincial ministers, including Jam Khan Shoro (Planning & Development) and Haji Ali Hassan Zardari (Works & Services), alongside senior federal and provincial bureaucrats, were in attendance to synchronize efforts on critical infrastructure. The meeting focused on the rapid execution of five mega highway projects worth over PKR 140.91 billion, aimed for completion by June 2027 under the Federal Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP). Financially, the megaproject is backed by a federal share of PKR 96.75 billion, while the Sindh government is contributing PKR 44.15 billion. Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah emphasized that these projects are not merely roads but vital economic corridors that will catalyze trade, investment, and regional prosperity.
The session detailed significant progress across all major routes, starting with the 36-kilometer Sindh Coastal Highway Extension project, which is being built at a cost of PKR 37.70 billion and has already seen its work order issued and contractor machinery mobilized on site. Similarly, the 135-kilometer Mehran Highway Dualization project is actively underway with an investment of PKR 41.03 billion to boost regional connectivity. For the 221-kilometer Sanghar-Rohri Road project costing PKR 35.08 billion, widening and base-work have been completed on major patches, and asphalt laying is set to begin soon. Meanwhile, the 150-kilometer Rohri-Guddu Barrage Road project, valued at PKR 17.79 billion, has achieved a key milestone with asphalt base work successfully completed on a 44-kilometer stretch. Lastly, the 31.4-kilometer Tando Allahyar–Tando Adam Dual Carriageway project is making steady progress at a cost of PKR 9.28 billion, with ongoing coordination to resolve utility and railway approvals.
While reviewing these developments, officials identified key challenges for the Tando Allahyar-Tando Adam route, including utility shifting, transmission line relocations, and pending Pakistan Railways’ approvals. The Chief Minister directed immediate, priority-basis resolution of these administrative hurdles and emphasized that the timely release of federal funds is absolutely critical for meeting the June 2027 deadline. In conclusion, the National Assembly Standing Committee highly lauded the Sindh Government’s proactive infrastructure initiatives. Both federal and provincial bodies renewed their commitment to seamless coordination, efficient fund utilization, and the swift removal of red tape to ensure these transformative economic corridors open on time.
