Sindh Cabinet Backs Sweeping Reforms on Flood Preparedness, Finance, Culture, and Transport

CM Murad Ali Shah Launches Broad-Based Governance Reforms for Resilience and Growth

KARACHI (September 23): Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, chairing a key cabinet meeting, reviewed the province’s flood situation and praised coordinated departmental efforts. The cabinet also approved major reforms covering financial management, correctional facilities, judicial processes, cultural promotion, agricultural inspections, taxation, and road safety.

The meeting, held at CM House, was attended by provincial ministers, advisers, special assistants, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Principal Secretary Agha Wasif, Planning & Development Chairman Najam Shah, and other senior officials.

Flood preparedness & relief: At the outset, the chief minister briefed the cabinet on flood conditions, noting Sindh had been under threat for six weeks. The first wave brought 534,000 cusecs at Guddu Barrage on August 24, followed by 481,000 cusecs at Sukkur and 273,000 cusecs at Kotri. The second wave peaked at 635,000 cusecs on September 15. Despite forecasts of up to 1.1 million cusecs, timely mobilisation ensured control.

Seventeen of 528 planned relief camps were activated, assisting 192,122 people. The Health Department treated 134,240 patients at 145 medical camps, while the Livestock Department vaccinated 1.6 million cattle. Mr Shah lauded Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro, Secretary Zarif Khero, ministers, MPAs, and district administrations for their collective efforts. He warned that climate change could cause earlier and more severe monsoons in the future, stressing preparation in line with “climate realities.”

Financial reforms & grassroots empowerment: Amendments to the Sindh Financial Rules, 2023 and Delegation of Financial Powers Rules decentralise scrutiny of arrears claims, empowering departmental committees to cut delays. Claims older than 10 years will still require Finance Department approval.

In a landmark step, 34,106 schools have been granted financial autonomy through cost centres, allowing headteachers direct access to operational funds.

Mukhtiarkars will also gain financial powers under a pilot land digitisation programme in Matiari and Sukkur, enabling up to Rs 0.2 million in expenditures. The CM said this mirrors earlier reforms empowering SHOs and will strengthen grassroots service delivery.

Correctional & judicial reforms: The cabinet formally notified the newly built District Prison & Correctional Facility in Thatta, designed for 250 inmates, to ease overcrowding.

Thirteen Anti-Terrorism Courts were redesignated as Special Courts to handle narcotics-related cases, while District & Sessions Judges and Judicial Magistrates were given interim authority until permanent courts are established.

Culture & tourism expansion: The Culture, Tourism, Antiquities & Archives Department was granted a broader mandate, including global promotion of Sindhi culture, regulation of tourism services, vocational training, digitisation of manuscripts, archaeological preservation, and language promotion. It will also oversee the Sindhi Language Authority, Sindh Tourism Development Corporation, and the Sindh Board of Film Censors.

Agriculture & taxation: The cabinet approved procurement of 10 mobile testing vans worth Rs 99.96 million to enhance calibration and spot verification of weights and measures. Daily inspections will increase from 10–12 to 30–35, under the supervision of deputy commissioners.

To broaden the tax base, the Sindh Revenue Board was authorised to sign MoUs with FBR, PRAL, and SECP for data-sharing and company registration integration. Nine amending notifications were also approved to streamline classification codes without revenue impact.

Transport safety: The cabinet approved the establishment of 10 Heavy Vehicle Fitness Centres across Sindh, including five in Karachi and one each at divisional headquarters.

Equipped with advanced European testing systems, these centres aim to modernise transport safety, reduce accidents, and improve compliance. The CM directed the Transport Department to invite bids and select firms strictly on merit.

By combining climate resilience, financial empowerment, judicial reforms, cultural promotion, agricultural oversight, tax digitisation, and road safety, CM Murad Ali Shah signalled his government’s commitment to transparent governance, grassroots empowerment, and sustainable development.