KARACHI: The Sindh Cabinet, presided over by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, approved a wide-ranging set of financial, administrative and policy decisions covering education, culture, security, agriculture, climate action, infrastructure and social protection, while directing all departments to ensure timely execution, transparency and measurable results. The meeting, held at CM House, was attended by provincial ministers, advisers, special assistants, the chief secretary and relevant secretaries. The cabinet also ratified the minutes of its previous meeting. The CM said the government’s priority was “delivery, not just approvals,” stressing that public funds must translate into visible improvements in services and quality of life. “Every rupee approved by the cabinet must be utilised transparently and monitored rigorously,” he directed. Education, culture and heritage: Presenting the report of the Cabinet Committee on Finance, Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah briefed the cabinet on several recommendations. The cabinet approved a scheme of Rs190.211 million for the construction of a second floor at the Girls’ Hostel of NED University of Engineering & Technology, Karachi. The CM observed that expanding student accommodation was essential to support female enrolment in higher education.For heritage conservation, the cabinet approved Rs109.5 million - 50 per cent of the total cost – for the preservation and restoration of Saint Saviour’s Church in Sukkur and Saint Thomas Cathedral Church in Hyderabad, with the remaining funds to be provided in the next financial year. “Sindh’s heritage belongs to all communities and must be preserved with care and dignity,” the CM said. The cabinet also approved Rs30 million for the Karachi Literature Festival and Rs100 million for strengthening Sindh Archives, including publication of rare manuscripts, conservation of old newspapers, digitisation of records and establishment of an oral history and archival gallery. Development, roads and local schemes: In the public works sector, approval was granted for the rehabilitation of a three-kilometre link road from Begu Kaka to Agro Rahu in District Matiari, with Rs33.785 million to be released during FY 2025 - 26. Several road construction and renovation schemes in districts Sujawal and Shikarpur, including the renovation of Shri Khat Wari Darbar, Shikarpur, were also approved through intra-sectoral savings. The CM instructed the Planning & Development and Finance departments to closely monitor timelines and quality standards. “Delays and cost overruns will not be tolerated,” he warned. Security and governance: On internal security, the cabinet approved, in principle, Rs1.24 billion for the operationalisation of the Provincial Intelligence Fusion & Threat Assessment Centre (PIFTAC). The package includes funding for equipment, staffing, maintenance and vehicles. However, the cabinet directed that procurement of vehicles be placed before the Cabinet Committee on Austerity Measures. “Security institutions must be strengthened, but with financial discipline and justification for every expense,” Murad Shah said. The cabinet also approved authentication and fund release mechanisms for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) schemes covering hundreds of projects across the province, and sanctioned Rs140 million for a two-week induction training programme for newly inducted officers of the Sindh Local Government Board. Sugar sector deregulation: The cabinet was briefed on the federal government’s plan to deregulate Pakistan’s sugar sector by 2026 fully. Sindh, which contributes 26 per cent of national sugarcane production with 38 sugar mills across 16 districts, stressed the need for a phased transition. The CM directed that farmers’ interests must be protected through third-party weighing, transparent payment timelines and advance notification of banned low-yield cane varieties. “Efficiency cannot come at the cost of growers,” he said, adding that safeguards were essential to manage price volatility during the transition. A ministerial committee was formed to submit detailed recommendations at the next cabinet meeting. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026