The Sindh government has approved major infrastructure and utility projects under the public-private partnership model, including the launch of 500 electric buses for Karachi and Hyderabad and the construction of a 16.5-kilometer elevated highway between Karachi Port and Qayyumabad.
The approvals took place on Friday during the 48th meeting of the PPP Policy Board chaired by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah at the CM House.
The meeting was attended by provincial ministers Sharjeel Inam Memon, Nasir Hussain Shah, Jam Khan Shoro, Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar and others, along with senior officials including chief secretary Asif Haider Shah and P&D board chairman Najam Shah.
Green transport project
The board gave the green light to the People’s Green Transport project, which aims to introduce 500 electric buses in phases in Karachi and Hyderabad. The project includes the development of depots, charging stations, bus shelters, automated pricing systems and a modern transport management network.
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Implemented under a design-build-finance-maintain-operate-transfer (DBFMOT) model with a 12-year concession, the project is expected to serve more than 200,000 passengers per day and will integrate with the Green Line BRT system. The board termed the initiative as a major step towards cleaner and more efficient urban mobility in Sindh.
Karachi Port-Qayyumabad Elevated Highway
The board also approved the construction of a 16.5 km four-lane elevated freight highway connecting Karachi Port (East Quay) to Jam Sadiq Interchange in Qayyumabad. The project will reduce travel distance by 26 kilometers, minimize traffic congestion on city roads and improve connectivity between the port, Shahrah-e-Bhutto and the M-9 highway.
The CM asked the PPP Board to expedite the administrative formalities so that the launch of the project can take place soon. The project includes a 10-year minimum income guarantee from the Sindh government. Design adjustments were approved for alignment with the Yellow Line BRT and to minimize land acquisition.
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The board also reviewed the revised 10th year operational budget of Sindh Government Children’s Hospital, North Karachi, amounting to Rs738.65 million, with an additional Rs95.12 million in capital expenditure for its final contract year. The revisions were approved to ensure continued delivery of quality health care.
Carbon credits for sale
To combat climate change and restore the riverine forests of Sindh, the council approved a 41,000-hectare afforestation project in Jamshoro and Matiari under PPP mode. The project is expected to generate 35 to 40 million carbon credits to sell on international markets, thus recovering valuable foreign exchange.
The board authorized the Forest Department to issue letters of award to successful bidders in three packages and approved the engagement of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for a feasibility study on a new 88,000-hectare riverine forestry project.
These initiatives, the CM said, reflect Sindh’s growing reliance on sustainable partnerships to modernize infrastructure, strengthen public services and address environmental challenges.
