Breaking: Sindh‑World Bank Partnership drives $3.8 Billion Reform Push Across Karachi and Province
Karachi – A sweeping reform and recovery drive is front and center as the Sindh government maps out a major World Bank‑backed portfolio. Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah chaired a sector‑wise review with a 10‑member World Bank delegation, signaling a push for faster delivery, stronger outcomes, and tangible benefits for citizens.
The World Bank team, led by country Director Bolormaa Amgaabazar, reviewed ongoing projects to gauge progress and remaining bottlenecks. The meeting brought together senior provincial leadership, including ministers, advisers, and top officials from key departments.
Officials disclosed that 13 active World Bank projects are currently in the portfolio, with a total committed amount of $3.8 billion. So far, about $1.96 billion has been disbursed, and the current year’s base disbursement target is $700.25 million.
In remarks at the briefing,the Chief Minister directed departments to remove roadblocks,expedite procurement,and ensure timely disbursements,stressing that every dollar must translate into measurable improvements for people.
Key Urban, Transport, and Municipal Projects
Urban development and municipal schemes highlighted include a $230 million Competitive and Livable City of Karachi (Click) project, a $382 million Karachi Mobility Project, and a $100 million Solid Waste Emergency and Efficiency Project. Officials also noted 161 schemes across Town Municipal Committees worth $66.7 million are in progress, with 47 completed. The overall physical progress for these initiatives stands at 61%, with remaining schemes slated for completion by March 30, 2026. Eight Karachi Metropolitan Corporation schemes totaling $19 million are ongoing at 57% progress,with four more in the procurement stage and contracts expected to be awarded soon.
Urban Tax Survey: Revenue in the Pipeline
On revenue mobilization, the meeting reported that a door‑to‑door urban property tax survey is underway across all city districts. Of 3.3 million properties, enumerations have reached 3.1 million. The chief Minister said that local government revenue would rise once the survey is completed and underscored integrated urban planning to improve mobility, solid waste management, and municipal reforms in tandem to boost livability and competitiveness.
Water, Health, and Education Focus
Water security and sanitation remain a cornerstone of the program, with the World Bank portfolio backing the Karachi Water & Sewerage services Betterment Project ($40 million), the Second KWSSIP ($240 million), the Sindh Water & Agriculture Transformation Project ($292 million), and the Sindh Barrages Improvement Project ($291.23 million). Work has begun on the K‑IV augmentation to enhance water supply.
The education stream centers on the SELECT program, with a $154.76 million allocation. Teaching materials for Grades 3-5 have been distributed, and classroom transformation is under way to boost early‑grade outcomes.
The health and population portfolio includes the Sindh Integrated Health & Population Project ($200 million) and the National Health Support Program (Sindh Chapter) ($359 million). Authorities emphasized that primary healthcare, maternal and child health, and emergency services remain top priorities, with delivery speed aligned to urgent needs.
Social Protection and Flood Response
Additional discussions covered a $200 million project to strengthen social protection delivery, a $135 million Sindh Livestock & Aquaculture Sectors Transformation Project, a $650 million Sindh Flood Emergency Rehabilitation Project, and a $950 million Sindh Flood Emergency Housing reconstruction Project. These programs reflect ongoing efforts to bolster resilience and public safety in the wake of climate‑related risks.
| Category | Projects / commitment (USD) | Disbursement / Status |
|---|---|---|
| Overall World Bank portfolio | 13 projects; $3.8B committed | Disbursed: $1.96B; FY target: $700.25M |
| Urban development & municipal projects | click karachi ($230M); Karachi Mobility ($382M); Solid Waste ($100M) | 161 TMC schemes ($66.7M) in progress; 47 completed; 61% progress |
| Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) | 8 schemes ($19M) | 57% progress; 4 schemes in procurement |
| Urban property tax survey | 3.1M houses enumerated; 3.3M properties total | Survey ongoing; revenue expected to rise |
| Water & sanitation | KWSSIP ($40M); Second KWSSIP ($240M); SWAT ($292M); Barrages ($291.23M) | K‑IV augmentation work started |
| Education | SELECT ($154.76M) | Materials distributed; classroom transformation underway |
| Health & population | Integrated Health ($200M); National Health Support Program Sindh ($359M) | Priority on primary care and emergency services |
| Social protection & disaster response | Social protection ($200M); Livestock & Aquaculture ($135M); Flood Rehab ($650M); Flood Housing ($950M) | Ongoing reforms and emergency projects |
The Chief Minister underscored that water security is essential to public health, climate resilience, and growth, insisting that investments in water and sanitation are foundational. he urged faster procurement and timely disbursements to deliver tangible benefits to residents and align with broader reform goals.
Published in Dawn on December 18, 2025.
Evergreen takeaways for long‑term readers
Strategic partnerships with international lenders can accelerate urban and rural development when governance, procurement, and accountability are strengthened. A synchronized approach across water, transport, housing, health, and education helps ensure that projects reinforce one another and maximize resilience and livelihoods in a changing climate.
Two reader questions
1) What concrete steps should authorities take to translate World Bank‑funded projects into tangible benefits for Karachi residents within the next year?
2) How can procurement reforms and faster disbursement timelines be enforced without compromising governance standards?
Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
