Sindh Cabinet approves major reforms in health, education, transport sectors

The Sindh Cabinet on Thursday approved a series of major policy decisions and legislative reforms relating to health, education, transport, fisheries, workers’ welfare and governance during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah here at CM House

KARACHI, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st May, 2026) The Sindh Cabinet on Thursday approved a series of major policy decisions and legislative reforms relating to health, education, transport, fisheries, workers’ welfare and governance during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah here at CM House.

The cabinet approved legislation for the operational management of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) and the National Institute of Child Health (NICH) following transfer of both institutions from the federal government to Sindh under an operations and management agreement.

The proposed “JPMC and NICH Operation and Management Act, 2025” standardises recruitment rules for executive directors and introduces a mechanism for removal on grounds of unsatisfactory performance or incapacity. The governing board will also include a representative of the federal Ministry of National Health Services for coordination purposes.

The cabinet also approved implementation of the “Sindh Post Graduate Residency Policy 2026” across all public sector medical universities and teaching institutions to introduce a centralised and transparent induction system for postgraduate medical training.

Under the new policy, admissions for FCPS, MCPS, MD and MS programmes will be conducted through a uniform entry test and merit formula. The government has allocated Rs 4.739 billion for 3,794 sanctioned training slots.

The policy also introduces a 50:50 seat distribution between FCPS/MCPS and MD/MS streams, a zero vacancy mechanism for vacant seats and mandatory rotations in district and tehsil hospitals with additional merit incentives for peripheral service.

The cabinet approved amendments to the Sindh Safe Blood Transfusion Act to broaden eligibility criteria for appointment of the administrative head of the Sindh Blood Transfusion Authority.

To strengthen technical and higher education, the cabinet approved the STEVTA Amendment Bill, 2026, introducing mandatory registration of all public and private technical and vocational institutions in Sindh under a unified quality assurance framework.

The cabinet also approved amendments to the IBA Karachi and Iqra University laws, allowing establishment of campuses and research centres within and outside Sindh, including Islamabad, besides introducing online, distance and transnational education programmes.

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In an effort to accelerate work on the Karachi BRT Red Line Project, the cabinet approved direct contracting with Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) for completion of Lot-2 after termination of the previous contractor due to delays and non-compliance.

The chief minister directed completion of mixed traffic lanes, underpasses, elevated structures and drainage works on the 12.85-kilometre corridor from Numaish to Mosamiyat within 90 days. The cabinet also approved emergency off-budget funding for TransKarachi.

The cabinet approved transition of the Sindh Business One Stop Shop (SBOSS) to the Sindh IT Company along with a six-month service agreement worth Rs150 million to ensure uninterrupted operations of the digital platform.

On the recommendation of the Finance Committee, the cabinet approved two development schemes for Sukkur, including upgradation of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Wellness and Recreational Park at a cost of Rs228.5 million and establishment of a ladies block at Mir Masoom Shah Library for Rs110.346 million.

An additional allocation of over Rs916 million was also approved for prison food charges during the current financial year.

The cabinet allowed a 15-day relaxation in the annual fishing ban from June 1 to June 15, 2026, to provide temporary relief to fishermen before the breeding season closure resumes.

Reviewing wheat procurement, the cabinet was informed that procurement had reached over 71,462 metric tonnes with payments exceeding Rs5.62 billion already released to growers. It approved further measures to stabilise wheat reserves and improve supply chain management.

The cabinet also approved allocation of 670 square yards of land at French Beach, Karachi, to the Survey of Pakistan for establishment of a strategic tide gauge station.

An MoU between the Centre for Autism Rehabilitation and Training Sindh (C-ARTS) and the Directorate General of Special Education, Islamabad, was approved for provision of technical assistance in establishment of a federal autism centre.

The cabinet further approved amendments relating to workers’ welfare representation and the Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Human Resource, Research and Development Board to improve governance and broaden eligibility criteria for appointments.