Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, while acknowledging the World Bank’s substantial assistance, especially post-2022 floods, has urged the institution to address critical procurement roadblocks and expedite funding for crucial development initiatives.

During a meeting with a World Bank delegation spearheaded by Regional Vice President Ousmane Dino, Shah underscored the province’s robust $4.012 billion active portfolio with the Bank, spanning housing, education, health, and post-flood restoration.

Shah stressed the urgent need to fill the procurement specialist vacancy in Karachi, created by the demise of Ms. Uzma Sadaf. He emphasized how this void is hampering project evaluations and causing significant setbacks. The Chief Minister requested the Bank to promptly deploy a replacement specialist to streamline operations.

The Chief Minister provided updates on several projects, including the Sindh People’s Housing for Flood Affectees initiative, which has seen considerable progress with the construction of 600,000 houses and the distribution of 300,000 land titles to women. He also outlined a zone-specific WASH strategy tailored to diverse water availability and climate conditions across Sindh.

Shah requested over $170 million in additional funding for the Karachi Urban Mobility Project (KUMP), stating that the current $86 million commitment from the Bank is inadequate. He also pushed for the swift approval of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Services Improvement Project – Phase II (KWSSIP-II) operational manual, emphasizing the August 21st deadline.

Furthermore, the Chief Minister sought a one-year extension for the Sindh Early Learning Enhancement through Classroom Transformation (SELECT) project, citing implementation setbacks. He also requested a similar extension for the Strengthening Social Protection Delivery Systems project, considering its expanded scope. The World Bank delegation agreed to the SELECT project extension, subject to formalities. The delegation acknowledged the raised concerns and pledged to address the challenges, furthering joint development objectives in Sindh.