KARACHI: The Sindh government and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) have reached an agreement to collaborate on public-private partnership (PPP) initiatives aimed at improving service delivery and urban infrastructure in Karachi and other areas of the province. The agreement was announced following a meeting between Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and an IFC delegation led by Ms. Linda Rudo Munyengeterwa, Director for Public-Private Partnerships and Privatizations at IFC.
The meeting, held at the Chief Minister’s residence, focused on strengthening PPPs in sectors such as urban mobility and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). The nine-member IFC delegation included Country Manager Zeeshan Sheikh and other regional managers, while senior officials from the Sindh government, including Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, were also present.
Chief Minister Shah emphasized Sindh’s established PPP framework, noting progress in road networks, energy, health, education, and transport. He highlighted the government’s commitment to addressing Karachi’s transport and water challenges, citing operational Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems and ongoing infrastructure projects as evidence of their efforts.
Ms. Munyengeterwa praised Sindh’s PPP approach and highlighted the importance of private sector collaboration to meet growing investment needs. She expressed enthusiasm for future partnerships and underscored the potential for Sindh to serve as a model for successful PPP implementation.
The discussions also touched on sustainable urban transport solutions, with Ms. Munyengeterwa advocating for electric buses (e-buses) due to their cost efficiency and environmental benefits. The Sindh government, already introducing e-buses in Karachi, plans to expand the fleet significantly.
Addressing the city’s water needs, Chief Minister Shah noted the shortfall in Karachi’s daily water supply and mentioned ongoing projects like the K-IV water supply project. The government is considering desalination plants and expressed interest in water projects via PPP models.
The IFC recommended establishing industrial water treatment plants and emphasized PPPs for water supply and sanitation projects. Various successful global PPP models were presented, and the Sindh government’s PPP Unit received praise for its policy framework.
Both the IFC and the Sindh government committed to working closely on future PPP initiatives in urban mobility and water management to enhance service delivery and infrastructure in Karachi and beyond.