The Sindh Provincial Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Thursday, took a series of landmark decisions spanning food security, healthcare infrastructure, judicial administration, energy, and wildlife conservation.
Key Highlights of the Cabinet Meeting
1. Wheat Release Policy to Curb Flour Prices
To stabilize rising wheat flour prices across Sindh—where wheat is currently trading at approximately Rs 12,500 per 100-kg bag in Karachi—the Cabinet approved releasing government-held wheat stocks to licensed flour mills and chakkies starting October 20, 2026. Food Minister Makhdoom Mehboob Zaman confirmed that the province possesses over 9.19 million 100-kg bags of wheat.
2. Wildlife Conservation & Game Bird Hunting Debate
The Cabinet engaged in extensive discussions regarding the proposed Game Bird Hunting Season 2026–27 under the Sindh Wildlife Protection Act, 2020. Facing environmental concerns and a bird population survey estimate of 143,460 birds, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah constituted a four-member ministerial sub-committee—comprising Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho, Syed Sardar Shah, Zulfikar Ali Shah, and Rajvir Singh Sodha—to evaluate whether to open the hunting season or impose a complete ban.
3. Major Healthcare Approvals
- Mother & Child Hospital in North Karachi: The Cabinet approved handing over the Sindh Government Children Hospital to the Sindh Institute of Child Health and Neonatology (SICHN) to develop a dedicated 200-bed facility.
- 24/7 Chanesar Dispensary: Approved a proposal with the Indus Hospital and Health Network (IHHN) to operate the Chanesar Dispensary round-the-clock for over 122,000 local residents.
- STAR-WASH Programme: Ratified the release of Rs 1 billion to Sindh Peoples Housing for Flood Affectees (SPHF) for Phase I of the rural water supply and sanitation project supported by the World Bank and ADB.
4. Judicial Appointments & Anti-Narcotics Courts
- ATC Appointments: Approved Presiding Officers for four vacant Anti-Terrorism Courts, including Ashraf Khawja (ATC-III Karachi), Ameen ul Din Khaskheli (ATC-IV Karachi), Irshad Hussain Dharejo (ATC Kashmore-Kandhkot), Babar Azeem (ATC Hyderabad), and Tahir Rajput (ATC Naushahro Feroze).
- Special Anti-Narcotics Courts: Approved Presiding Officers for newly established Special Courts under the Sindh Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 2024, including Abdul Qadoos Memon (CNS-I Karachi) and Mohsin Ali Khan Pathan (CNS-II Karachi), among others.
- Vehicles for Judiciary: Sanctioned procurement of 87 official vehicles for district judicial officers and newly appointed High Court judges.
5. Energy, Land Management & Governance
- Thar Coal Expansion: Approved three amendments to agreements related to the Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMD) to expand Phase-III annual mining capacity from 7.6 million tonnes to 11.2 million tonnes.
- Sindh Government Lands Management Act, 2026: Reviewed proposed draft legislation to replace the century-old Colonisation and Disposal of Government Lands Act, 1912, introducing market-based valuation and transparent auctions.
- Commission Tenure Extension: Extended the tenure of the Justice Omar Sial Inquiry Commission investigating the death of Mir Raza Ali up to October 15, 2026.
