Business Recorder
KARACHI: A key meeting of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Finance, chaired by Sindh Minister for Local Government Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, approved major funding initiatives aimed at addressing Karachi’s longstanding urban challenges, particularly road rehabilitation, drainage, and sewerage infrastructure, with decisions involving allocations worth billions of rupees. The meeting attended by provincial ministers Zia ul Hassan Lanjar and Saeed Ghani along with secretaries of various departments, financial and technical experts, and representatives of relevant institutions, prioritised improvement of Karachi’s civic infrastructure by approving Rs13 billion for rehabilitation of roads across 24 Town Municipal Corporations, which includes reconstruction of damaged roads, patchwork, and upgradation of major arteries to improve traffic flow and commuting facilities for citizens, However, a special grant of Rs364 million was also approved for emergency repair of the outdated sewerage pumping station in Korangi Industrial Area, where severe drainage issues frequently arise during rains. The committee further approved additional funds of Rs1,258.859 million for laying a 32-inch diameter pipeline along the Lyari Expressway to strengthen the city’s drainage system, a move considered crucial for mitigating urban flooding and water accumulation issues. The meeting emphasised that improvement in drainage infrastructure would significantly reduce rain-related urban flooding in low-lying areas, while funds were also allocated for repair, renovation, and upgradation of infrastructure in educational institutions, courts, and hospitals to enhance public service delivery. Approvals were also granted for various development schemes in Karachi and other districts along with review of financial requirements of multiple departments, while progress on ongoing schemes was reviewed in detail and officials were directed to expedite implementation to ensure timely completion. Speaking on the occasion, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah stated that resolving urban issues remains a top priority of the government and directed all departmental heads to ensure transparency, quality, and timely execution of development projects, warning that any negligence or irregularities in utilization of funds would not be tolerated. The meeting also stressed improved inter-departmental coordination to remove bottlenecks in project execution. However, work on the approved projects is expected to commence soon, which is likely to bring visible improvement in Karachi’s infrastructure and drainage system, while progress on these initiatives will be reviewed in the next meeting. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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