Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Friday chaired a meeting aimed at enhancing coordination with the federal government for the implementation of key projects and improving data sharing between tax collecting bodies. The meeting, held at CM House, saw the participation of provincial ministers, including Sharjeel Inam Memon, Nasir Hussain Shah, Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, Jam Khan Shoro, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, PSCM Agha Wasif, and other relevant secretaries. Minister of Energy Nasir Shah highlighted that 26 wind projects with a cumulative capacity of 1875 MW and 19 solar projects of 1150 MW were awaiting competitive bidding. The Sindh government proposed to the federal government that the first round of competitive bidding among LOI holders be conducted by Provincial Energy Departments instead of the Private Power & Infrastructure Board (PPIB). A consensus has been reached with stakeholders to conduct competitive bidding for procuring 300 MW for KE from wind LOI holders.
Minister of Energy Nasir Shah informed the chief minister about the financing agreement for the Thar Rail Connectivity Project. The previous PPP Sindh government had agreed to fund the project through equity contribution, and the caretaker Sindh government approved financing 50 per cent of the project cost through a loan to Pakistan Railways by the Sindh government. The Finance Facility Agreement (FFA) was executed between the Energy Department and Pakistan Railways on January 31, 2024. The chief minister directed the Energy Department to submit a proposal for ratification of the agreement. Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah emphasized the importance of data collection and integration between provincial and federal entities.
He directed Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah to coordinate with the federal government in this regard. The Chief Secretary reported that necessary coordination between FBR, NADRA, and relevant Sindh government departments was in place. The Board of Revenue (BoR), Sindh Revenue Board (SRB), and Excise & Taxation have signed a MOU with the Federal Board of Revenue for data sharing and integration. The CM instructed the Chief Secretary to strengthen the data sharing and collection system.
The meeting also discussed abyana rate revision, ground water regulatory framework, corporate farming, and desilting projects in various canal commands, among other matters. Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah reiterated the government’s commitment to the timely completion of projects and the efficient utilization of resources for the benefit of the people of Sindh.
