Karachi, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah convened a meeting to assess the progress on the reconstruction and rehabilitation of infrastructure devastated by the 2022 floods. He directed his team to speed up ongoing projects and engage donors for outstanding funding, signaling an aggressive push to restore essential services and facilities across the province.
According to Chief Minister Sindh, the session at CM House saw participation from high-ranking officials, including Chief Secretary Dr. Fakhre Alam and Secretary School Education Dr. Shireen Narejo, who provided an update on the extensive damage to educational infrastructure. A staggering 19,808 schools were reported affected, with 7,503 requiring complete reconstruction. Commitments from international partners and donor agencies amount to Rs60.972 billion for the construction of 2020 school buildings, with the Sindh government initiating work on 431 schools. The Chief Minister emphasized the need for expeditious approval and fund disbursement for these projects.
In the health sector, Secretary Health Dr. Mansoor Rizvi detailed the 1000 Days – Integrated Health and Population Program, a comprehensive initiative with a budget of Rs61,600 million, supported by the World Bank and the Islamic Development Bank, alongside a significant contribution from the Sindh government. The project aims to refurbish and reconstruct health facilities across Sindh, including dispensaries, basic health units, and rural healthcare centers, and enhance healthcare services like blood banks and diagnostic laboratories.
The meeting also covered the operationalization of dispensaries under the management of PPHI, procurement of ambulances and mobile medical vans, and skill development programs for women, marking substantial progress in healthcare rehabilitation.
Secretary Works and Services Nawaz Sohoo updated the Chief Minister on the Sindh Flood Emergency Rehabilitation Project (SERP), noting the commencement of work on 131 roads spanning 19 districts. With physical progress ranging between 35 to 54 percent, there’s a concerted effort to complete these critical infrastructures promptly.
Chief Minister Shah’s directives underscore the urgency of rebuilding efforts, ensuring that the departments involved in rehabilitation work maintain momentum and that the progress of flood-affected works is regularly reviewed for efficiency and effectiveness. This meeting reflects the Sindh government’s commitment to overcoming the catastrophic impact of the floods and improving the province’s resilience against future disasters.