Cabinet okays Rs. 10.56 bn interest-free loan
to provide water to DHA, New E-Stamp Rules
exempt need for physical e-stamp paper
Staff Reporter
Karachi: In a major push for infrastructure and economic reform, the Sindh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, approved a series of transformative projects addressing Karachi’s water crisis, agricultural development, industrial expansion, and regional connectivity.
Rs 10.56 Billion Interest-Free Loan to Improve Water Supply in DHA
To combat Karachi’s worsening water shortages, particularly in DHA, the cabinet approved a Rs 10.56 billion interest-free loan for Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KW&SC). The project will lay a 36-km dedicated pipeline from Dumlottee to DHA and includes a pumping station, forebay, and filtration plant. CM Shah directed completion within 11 months.
Agriculture Reforms and Relief for Flood-Affected Farmers
The cabinet endorsed the Sindh Agricultural Income Tax Rules 2025, introducing digital registration (Form AIT-01), e-filing (Form AIT-03), and multilingual record-keeping. Losses in calamity-hit zones will be carried forward.
For farmers impacted by the 2022 floods, the cabinet raised the Flood Emergency Response Component from Rs 21.56 billion to Rs 27.67 billion, benefiting over 151,000 verified farmers. An additional Rs 2.37 billion will be disbursed through the Benazir Hari Card, for which an MoU with Sindh Bank has been approved. Over 237,000 farmers have registered, with nearly 89,000 applications verified.
E-Stamp System Goes Paperless
An amendment to the Sindh E-Stamp Rules 2020 eliminates the requirement for physical stamp paper in areas with operational e-registration systems. This digital step will reduce processing times and ensure better integration between e-stamping and property registration.
Rs 45 Billion Railway Project to Boost Thar Coal Transport
To enhance coal transportation from Thar, the cabinet approved a Rs 45.02 billion railway project from Islamkot to Chorr, including a 105-km rail line, dual track to Port Qasim, and unloading terminal. The federal government has allocated Rs 7 billion for the project in PSDP 2025–26.
New Industrial Enclaves and Economic Zones
The cabinet approved new Industrial Enclaves on 951 acres in Hyderabad under the PPP model, expected to generate over 55,000 jobs. Land will be transferred to the Sindh Economic Zones Management Company (SEZMC), with Rs 3.54 billion allocated by the Finance Department.
Land Allocation for M-6 Motorway
The cabinet approved the allocation of 248 acres worth Rs 667 million for the Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway (M-6) and additional reservations across multiple districts, subject to departmental NOCs. Bridge financing will be arranged if needed.
CM Reaffirms Commitment to Sustainable Development
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah emphasized inclusive and transparent execution of all approved projects, calling them essential for Sindh’s long-term resilience and socio-economic uplift.
These wide-ranging decisions reflect Sindh’s integrated approach to economic growth, combining infrastructure development with digital governance, agricultural modernization, and industrial expansion.
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