Business Recorder
KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Local Government Syed Nasir Hussain Shah chaired a high-level meeting to review the draft legislation and framework for the establishment of the Sindh Master Plan Authority (SMPA), with a focus on strengthening urban planning and governance across the province. It was informed that the SMPA is being established in compliance with Supreme Court directives and will be formed by merging the Karachi Master Plan Department and Hyderabad Town Planning Department into a single autonomous body. Speaking on the occasion, Nasir Shah said the objective of the authority is to create a robust, independent and integrated planning framework to effectively address the challenges posed by rapid urbanisation and population growth. He emphasised that the proposed legislation aims to introduce modern solutions to urban issues while creating opportunities for the business community and industrial sector. Under the proposed law, the SMPA will be empowered to carry out planning at regional, district and city levels across Sindh, and all land-owning agencies, including cantonment boards, will be required to align their development activities with the master plan, the minister said. He directed that the long-pending draft be finalised after completing all legal formalities and presented to the Sindh Cabinet for approval, followed by its tabling in the provincial assembly for legislation. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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