• 1000 Pick bikes to be distributed among women
• Double-deckers will operate on Shahrah-e-Faisal
• Keejhar, KB feederuplift to increase 1200 cusecs
KARACHI (Feb 27): Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, while presiding over a cabinet meeting, made several significant decisions, including the procurement of 1,000 pink electric motorcycles for women, the acquisition of double-decker buses and electric vehicles (EVs) for the city, and the immediate improvement of Keejhar Lake and the KB Feeder to provide water for the K-IV project, additionally, he allowed Dow to establish a company to manufacture anti-snake and anti-rabies vaccines.
The meeting, held on Thursday at CM House, was attended by provincial ministers, advisors, special assistants, the Chief Secretary, and relevant secretaries.
Pink Electric Motorcycles for Women: The cabinet was informed that the Transport and Sindh Mass Transit Authority (T&MTD) plans to launch a program aimed at enhancing female mobility through sustainable transportation.
This initiative will introduce approximately 1,000 electric motorcycles for women, which will be allocated through an open and transparent balloting process. The initiative requires Rs 300 million to be obtained outside the budget. The cabinet noted that an increasing number of women worldwide are opting for electric motorcycles as their primary mode of transport for daily commuting.
The main factors driving this demand include greater mobility, cost-effectiveness compared to cars or public transport, eco-friendliness, and minimal maintenance. These motorcycles significantly contribute to enhanced mobility and independence for women, promote economic empowerment, break gender stereotypes, and improve safety and security.
The cabinet decided that the Sindh Mass Transit Authority (SMTA) would procure the EV motorcycles through competitive bidding from one or more manufacturers, contingent on price and maintenance factors. Distribution will occur via a transparent open balloting process in the presence of media, subject to the qualification criteria, including the applicant must be a permanent resident of Sindh. The applicant must be a student or a working female. The applicant cannot sell the electric motorcycle for seven years.
Procurement of 50 Buses: The cabinet was informed that the Sindh Mass Transit Authority (SMTA) plans to procure 50 public transport buses for Karachi, including 15 double-decker buses and 35 electric buses. The transport department intends to operate 15 double-decker buses on Shahrah-e-Faisal and approved the proposal, allocating Rs 3 billion for the project.
The buses would be operate on different routes in the city.
Improvement of KB Feeder & Keejhar Lake for K-IV: The cabinet was told that the Sindh government, in collaboration with the Government of Pakistan, has launched the “Greater Karachi Bulk Supply Scheme K-IV” to increase the water supply by 1,200 cusecs, totalling 2,400 cusecs for the K-IV scheme. On July 19, 2023, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved a PC-1 titled `Water Requirement for the K-IV Project,’ with a budget of Rs 39,942.559 million, equally split between the Federal and Sindh Governments. Since then, construction materials and labour costs have risen significantly.
During 2023-24, the Irrigation Department sought interim relief for eight items related to ongoing contracts since no new schemes were awarded, apart from the Kalri Baghar Feeder Upper Lining Project. Although the Sindh Cabinet approved the Composite Schedule of Rates (CSR) 2024 in June, 2024, this approval has no retrospective impact on the project.
At the second Project Steering Committee meeting on November 7, 2024, the committee acknowledged the necessity of timely completion, agreeing on interim relief for the eight items and suggesting a revised PC-1 for approval. The revised PC-1 was prepared and discussed at the 30th Project Development Working Party (PDWP) meeting on December 16, 2024. Options for consideration include granting interim relief and revising the PC-1. The cabinet approved the proposal and directed the Irrigation department to revise PC-1 and get the project completed in time.
K-IV Transmission Line: The cabinet was also informed of the need to construct a transmission line for the K-IV project by the Sindh Transmission and Dispatch Company (STDC). Additionally, a 132 kV grid station is required, necessitating funding of Rs 16.47 billion for its establishment.
The Energy Department has agreed that the loan amount will be disbursed in tranches based on the actual progress of the project, which will be verified by the Energy Department. The cabinet approved a 20 per cent joint equity investment totalling Rs. 3,295 million by STDC and the Sindh Energy Holding Company Limited (SEHCL). The remaining 80 per cent, amounting to Rs. 13,179 million, will be financed through debt or loans from the Sindh government.
The repayment of the loan by STDC will begin from the Commercial Operations Date (COD). The Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) will act as the 50 MW bulk-power consumer for the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO). A Transmission Service Agreement (TSA) will be signed between KWSC and STDC, and a 50 MW Renewable Energy Hybrid Independent Power Plant (IPP) will subsequently be established in the vicinity.
The cabinet approved the proposal.
KWSSIP: The Karachi Water Supply & Sewerage Services Improvement Project (KWSSIP) was initiated following the 2016 Karachi Diagnostic Study. This project aims to enhance the city’s water and sewerage infrastructure with a budget of $1.6 billion and is set to be implemented over 12 years (2020-2032) in four phases. The financing is provided by the World Bank, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and the Government of Sindh in a ratio of 40:40:20.
As of April 3, 2023, Phase 2 (SOP-II) has been approved with a budget of $600 million by the Sindh External Debt Management Committee. Formal negotiations with the World Bank occurred on October 18, 2024, with multiple government representatives participating. After successfully concluding negotiations, the loan is expected to be effective by March 2025, pending approval from the World Bank Board.
The negotiated package presented in the Provincial Cabinet was accorded for post-facto approval, which includes the Project Agreement, Loan Agreement, and Project Appraisal Document.
Registration of Double Cabin Pick-ups: The cabinet discussed that Double Cabin vehicles are being registered as commercial vehicles, whereas most are used for private purposes. This misclassification is causing significant financial losses in provincial registration fees and other taxes. The cabinet decided that vehicles will be registered as non-commercial vehicles at a rate of 4 per cent of the vehicle’s total value, with a Motor Vehicle Fee of Rs. 7,000 per annum and exemptions for luxury tax and conversion fees.
Additionally, the cabinet reported that the sale of premium number plates for the Sindh People’s Housing Project for Flood-Affected areas generated Rs. 541.6 million. It was decided that these funds would be transferred to support the Sindh People’s Housing Project.
Dow University: The cabinet was informed that Dow University proposed to form a Section 42 company called the Dow Life Sciences Foundation to expand public health initiatives and ensure efficient management and financial sustainability. Dow University intends to produce anti-snake venom and anti-rabies vaccines, collect plasma for drug manufacturing, establish a bioequivalence study center (including laboratory kits, reagents, and clinical trials), and produce safe drinking water. All profits will be directed into the DUHS Endowment Fund to support public health programs. The cabinet approved the formation of the company and authorized its registration.
Government Polytechnic Institute: The cabinet discussed a proposal from SZABIST and ZEB Tech to adopt the Government Polytechnic Institute. The Chief Minister approved the proposal with a grant of Rs. 160.3 million. The Chief Minister directed the Urban and Infrastructure Department to increase the number of trainees in trades such as industrial garment making, stretching, dressmaking, and industrial electrification to 400,000. The Sindh government will fund Rs. 616.53 million for the first five years, after which SZABIST and ZABTech will independently fund the remaining five years of training.
Automation of the Anti-Corruption Establishment: The Enquiries & Anti-Corruption Establishment (E&ACE) of Sindh has developed a comprehensive reform plan focused on automation and a Complaint Management System (CMS).
The cabinet was informed that Sukkur IBA has submitted a detailed proposal for developing the CMS on a turnkey basis, with an estimated cost of Rs. 144.118 million. The cabinet found Sukkur IBA’s proposal to be well-structured, cost-effective, and aligned with E&ACE’s requirements. The proposal was approved, and the Chief Minister directed the Anti-Corruption Establishment to complete the automation within a year, ensuring that every office, from the head office to district offices, is automated
