Sindh bans inter-provincial movement of wheat due to price hike

Sindh on Thursday decided to impose a ban on inter-provincial movement of wheat as part of a broader strategy to secure food supplies, reduce hoarding and stabilize market availability.

Briefing the media about key cabinet decisions taken under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Chief Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said the decision came against the backdrop of rising wheat prices and was aimed at ensuring equitable distribution and price stability across the province.

He said the cabinet meeting approved a broad reform and development agenda covering health, education, transport, governance and infrastructure, which reflected what he described as a “development-oriented approach” of the provincial government.

The cabinet approved allocations of Rs 338.8 million for development projects in Sukkur and Rs 916.14 million for food and dietary requirements of prisons. The Sukkur program includes upgradation of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Wellness and Recreation Park and creation of a women’s block at Mir Masoom Shah Library, aimed at strengthening the cultural and educational infrastructure of the division.

On health reforms, the cabinet approved the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC) and National Institute of Child Health (NICH) Operations and Management Act, 2025, formally placing the two institutions under a structured provincial legal framework. The law introduces standardized recruitment procedures, performance-based accountability and better federal-provincial coordination.

The cabinet also approved the continuation of the EPADS procurement system for medicines, vaccines, oncology drugs and emergency health kits for the 2026-2027 financial year, while allowing early planning of the subsequent procurement cycle.

A centralized Sindh Postgraduate Residency Policy 2026 was also approved, introducing a unified entrance test and merit-based system for 3,794 training seats with an allocation of Rs 4.739 billion. The policy aims to eliminate inconsistencies in admissions and strengthen standards of postgraduate medical training at institutions.

Sharjeel said Sindh had established more than 10 autism centers with the federal government recognizing the province’s expertise and seeking assistance. He added that an autism center would now be established in Islamabad with technical support from Sindh.

In transportation and infrastructure, the cabinet approved the handover of the BRT Red Line Lot-2 project to the Frontier Works Organization (FWO) in a government-to-government deal to speed up construction delays, as well as emergency funding for transportation facilitation.

Other decisions included allocation of land for a strategic tide gauge station at French Beach, 15-day relaxation of the annual fishing ban to provide relief to fishermen and transfer of SBOSS platform to Sindh IT Corporation to improve digital governance.

The cabinet also approved amendments to the Technical Education Acts (STEVTA), expansion of IBA Karachi’s mandate to establish campuses across the country and an agreement to export Sindh’s expertise in autism rehabilitation to Islamabad.

Memon said women-focused initiatives, including free training and distribution of pink scooters, are part of a broader empowerment agenda.

On constitutional issues, he said the federal government was yet to initiate consultations on the proposed 28th amendment, adding that Sindh would consider any proposal once formally shared. He also said that the Qayyumabad-KPT bridge project is expected to be completed within two years to improve the connectivity of Karachi.