On Tuesday, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah expressed his government’s commitment to attracting investment from Chinese companies, allowing them to engage directly in projects of their choice or collaborate through public-private partnerships with the provincial government. This announcement came during a meeting with a delegation of Chinese investors led by Wan Xiaowu, chairman of the Belt & Road Group.
Mr. Wan conveyed to the Chief Minister that more than 12 prominent Chinese firms are keen on investing in various initiatives within Karachi. These projects primarily focus on waste-to-energy systems, wastewater treatment, desalination plants, electric bus manufacturing, conversion kits to transform petrol motorcycles into electric vehicles, and the overhaul of the city’s sewerage infrastructure. A press release issued from the CM House following the meeting highlighted these interests.
The Chief Minister reassured the delegation that his government would provide comprehensive support to facilitate the establishment of these projects, ensuring a conducive environment for investment. Both Mr. Shah and Mr. Wan agreed to reconvene with the Planning & Development department and the Board of Investment to explore specific projects and negotiate necessary terms to expedite their implementation.
In addition to discussions on investment, Chief Minister Shah addressed pressing issues related to extremism and radicalization. He noted that his administration has put in place measures aimed at combating terrorism, which include enhanced intelligence sharing and coordinated operations with law enforcement agencies. During his address to participants of the National Security & War Course-25 at the CM House, he emphasized the importance of community engagement and outreach programs to mitigate radicalization and promote peace within society.
The Sindh government is also taking significant steps to bolster the police force through various initiatives, such as training programs and infrastructure development. Key projects include improvements to the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and the Special Branch, along with the Karachi Safe City and Sindh Smart Surveillance System (S4) programs.
Mr. Shah highlighted the government’s focus on addressing challenges in riverine areas by improving infrastructure and providing social services. Resources have been allocated to the Sindh police for the acquisition of modern technology to effectively combat challenges in these regions, including drones and armored personnel carriers.
The Chief Minister further discussed ongoing efforts to construct roads and bridges to enhance mobility, which he noted is vital for effective policing. Additionally, he addressed the province’s fiscal health and the difficulties posed by recurring flooding.
The meeting included a delegation led by Major General Muhammad Akhtar and comprised 240 officers from the armed forces, civil servants, and military representatives from 24 friendly nations. Key provincial ministers, including Sharjeel Memon, Sardar Shah, Nasir Shah, Saeed Ghani, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, and Home Secretary Iqbal Memon, were also in attendance, underscoring the collaborative efforts to drive development and maintain security in the region.
