KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said on Tuesday that his government is eager to welcome investment from Chinese public and private firms in various projects across the province.
During a meeting with a delegation led by Wan Xiaowu, Chairman of the Belt & Road (B&R) Group, the CM expressed a commitment to facilitating Chinese investments in Karachi.
The B&R chairman revealed that over 12 major Chinese companies are interested in investing in the city, particularly in areas such as waste-to-energy, wastewater treatment, desalination plants, the manufacturing of electric buses, and converting petrol motorcycles to electric power, as well as reconstructing the city’s sewerage system.
CM Shah assured that the Sindh government would provide all necessary support for these firms to establish their operations. Both parties agreed to reconvene with the Planning & Development department and the Board of Investment to select projects and negotiate terms to initiate work.
Addressing Extremism and Enhancing Security
In addition to discussing investments, CM Murad also addressed the need for peace and security in Sindh. While speaking to participants of a national security and war course—comprising 240 officers from various branches of the armed forces and civil services—he detailed measures taken to combat extremism and terrorism. These measures include intelligence sharing and coordinated operations with law enforcement.
The CM emphasized community engagement and outreach programs aimed at preventing radicalization. He noted various initiatives to strengthen the police force, including upgrading the Counter Terrorism Department and launching the Karachi Safe City Project, which includes installing advanced surveillance systems.
Shah announced an increase in the investigation budget and a direct allocation of Rs.4.8 billion to police stations, along with health insurance worth Rs.4.961 billion for police personnel. He also revealed enhancements to the Shaheed Package, raising it from Rs.10 million to Rs.23 million, which includes a retirement salary and job opportunities for families of fallen officers.
Fiscal Management and Recovery Efforts
Discussing the province’s fiscal position, CM Shah outlined a total budget of Rs.3.056 trillion for the year 2024-25, comprising Rs.1,912 billion for current revenue, Rs.959 billion for development projects, and Rs.184.8 billion for capital expenditure. He stressed the importance of improved financial management, noting that essential monthly expenses reach Rs.143 billion, including salaries and pensions.
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, in a meeting with a delegation of Chinese investors led by Chairman Belt & Road (B&R) Group Mr Wan Xiaowu, agreed to facilitate private Chinese investment in the city. pic.twitter.com/qO6Gm7kFmx
— Sindh Chief Minister House (@SindhCMHouse) October 1, 2024
The Sindh government continues to prioritize infrastructure and social services, leveraging Foreign Project Assistance (FPA) for funding recovery efforts. The CM highlighted the devastation caused by the floods of 2022, which affected 70% of the province, displacing 12 million people and inflicting damages estimated at $20 billion. A recovery plan of $11.6 billion was presented at the Climate Resilient Pakistan Conference in Geneva.
For the upcoming year, Sindh’s development focus will be on infrastructure, education, health, and agriculture, with a dedicated development outlay of Rs.959 billion.
