Sindh cabinet approves employee relief package, extends health insurance, forms four strategic task forces

KARACHI, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Jul, 2026) The Sindh Cabinet on Thursday approved a comprehensive package of policy, governance and development initiatives, including financial relief for government employees, a six-month extension of the provincial health insurance scheme, the formation of four strategic task forces, reforms in education, key health and infrastructure projects, and measures to strengthen food security across the province.

The cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, was attended by provincial ministers, advisers, special assistants, the Chief Secretary and senior officials. The meeting considered 22 agenda items covering governance reforms, public service delivery, infrastructure development, education, health, investment promotion and economic management.

Briefing the media after the meeting, Senior Minister for Information and Transport Sharjeel Inam Memon said the Chief Minister directed the Food Department to intensify operations against hoarders and profiteers, recover concealed wheat stocks, closely monitor market conditions and take all necessary measures to stabilise flour prices.

The cabinet reviewed Sindh's wheat stock position and approved measures to strengthen strategic reserves. Officials informed the meeting that the province produced 4.7 million metric tonnes of wheat during the 2025-26 season, while annual consumption is estimated at 6.53 million metric tonnes, leaving a projected deficit of 1.69 million metric tonnes. The government warned that the shortfall could rise to 2.11 million metric tonnes by March 2027 if current consumption trends continue.

The Food Department reported that anti-hoarding operations had resulted in the seizure of 225,135 metric tonnes of illegally stored wheat. The cabinet was also informed that PASSCO had offered to sell 220,665 metric tonnes of wheat at Rs4,150 per 40 kilograms.

The Chief Minister decided that Sindh would procure 500,000 metric tonnes of imported wheat if the Federal government imports the commodity.

The cabinet approved a relief package for provincial government employees with effect from July 1, 2026.

Employees in BPS-01 to BPS-16 will receive a two per cent Differential Allowance on the frozen Basic Pay Scale-2022 to address salary disparities created after the province granted higher pay increases in 2025 than those announced by the federal government.

The cabinet also approved a 50 per cent increase in conveyance allowance for all provincial employees, while the Special Conveyance Allowance for differently abled employees was increased from Rs6,000 to Rs10,000 per month. However, the proposal to grant an Executive Allowance was not approved.

To strengthen long-term planning, the cabinet approved the establishment of four sector-specific task forces on Economy, Finance and Industry; Water Sector; Climate Change; and Artificial Intelligence, Digital Transformation and Virtual Assets.

The task forces, comprising experts, academicians and industry representatives, will advise the government on policy reforms, investment promotion, climate resilience, digital transformation and protection of Sindh's water rights.

<?php /*?> <?php */?>

The cabinet approved a six-month extension of the health insurance scheme for government employees through the State Life Insurance Corporation, ensuring uninterrupted healthcare coverage until December 31, 2026.

The extension covers 4,805 employees at a cost of Rs242.65 million for six months, while the annual health coverage limit of Rs700,000 per employee remains unchanged.

The cabinet approved the Sindh Control of Narcotic Substances (Amendment) Bill, 2026, introducing stricter penalties for the manufacture, sale, possession and transportation of gutka, mawa, manpuri and other harmful chewing products.

The proposed legislation classifies these products as restricted substances and introduces a quantity-based punishment system, with penalties ranging from six months to three years imprisonment along with fines.

The cabinet also approved amendments to the Sindh Enquiries and Anti-Corruption Rules, 1993, to streamline the handling of corruption cases referred by courts and external agencies, including NAB. The changes aim to improve coordination among institutions and expedite investigations.

The proposed Sindh Forest Act, 2026, intended to replace the colonial-era Forest Act, 1927, was referred to a committee for further review. The draft law includes provisions relating to forest protection, marine protected areas, public-private partnerships and the creation of a Sindh Forest Force.

Among health sector decisions, the cabinet declared RBUT Hospital, Shikarpur, a teaching hospital affiliated with Ziauddin Medical College, Sukkur, approved the formation of its Hospital Management Board and constituted an expert committee to oversee its transition.

The cabinet also approved, in principle, the Sindh BISE Reform Package 2026, introducing digital examination systems, OMR-based assessments, online verification services and QR code-enabled certificates across the province's education boards. It also increased the upper age limit for the appointment of educational board chairmen from 55 to 63 years.

The cabinet approved several major development projects, including transfer of 22 acres of land for completion of the long-delayed Kunri Mirch Mandi project, formal establishment of the Mirpurkhas Water and Sewerage Corporation, development of a 400-acre Modern Logistic Park and Truck Terminal along Karachi's Northern Bypass under a public-private investment model.

The cabinet approved Sindh's participation in the 2026 Hunan International Sister Cities Economic and Trade Forum in China and endorsed the establishment of Sister Province relations with Hunan Province to enhance investment, trade, technology transfer and cultural cooperation.

It also approved a six-month extension in the tenure of Dr Muhammad Sabir as Executive Director of the Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Institute of Trauma (SMBBIT), Karachi.