Sindh Approves Rs12 Billion Conditional Grant for Solid Waste Management Reforms

All legal objections raised by the Finance

Secretary be addressed. The Energy and

Interior Ministers directed full compliance

Staff Reporter

Karach: The Cabinet Committee on Finance, co-chaired by Energy, Development & Planning Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah and Interior & Law Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar, approved a conditional out-of-budget grant of Rs12 billion for the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB) during a high-level meeting held at the Energy Department.

Grant Linked to Reforms and Legal Compliance
The SSWMB had requested additional funds for the fiscal year 2024–2025. After reviewing the legal framework of the request, committee members, in consultation with provincial ministers, approved the grant with the condition that all legal objections raised by the Finance Secretary be addressed. The Energy and Interior Ministers directed relevant officials to ensure full compliance.

Focus on Transparency and Contract Reassessment
The committee also decided that the Solid Waste Management Board will reassess existing contracts with waste collection companies, citing higher rates in Sindh compared to other regions. A transparent system will be introduced to measure garbage weights accurately. All garbage collection vehicles will be equipped with Razor Readers to ensure payments are based on actual waste removed, thereby minimizing financial discrepancies.

Operational Expansion and Rising Costs
The SSWMB is currently operational in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, and Larkana, covering a combined population of 24 million. Due to expansion, the board’s annual expenditure has reached Rs43 billion. Officials informed the committee that revenue of Rs10 billion is expected from ongoing projects nearing completion.

Minister Nasir Shah Calls for Efficiency and Public Relief
Minister Nasir Hussain Shah emphasized the need for improved efficiency in waste management to enhance cleanliness and public welfare. He urged officers to optimize performance and ensure timely payments to contractors. He also stressed the importance of renewing all existing contracts within the next three to six months to ensure service continuity.

Meeting Participants
The meeting was attended by Planning & Development Chairman Najam Shah, Finance Secretary Fayaz Jatoi, Local Government Secretary, and other key officials.