Sindh updates

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Nai Gaj Dam Project

The Chairman WAPDA visited Nai Gaj Dam to review construction activities on various sites of the project including main dam, main spillway, dykes and intake structure.

The PD Nai Gaj Aijaz Hussain Memon briefed the Chairman about the progress achieved so far. The Chairman directed the project management to devise and implement a contingency plan to minimize the delays caused by the last year’s flood and other contributing factors. Prior to the 2022-floods, the project was scheduled for completion in 2024.

Nai Gaj Dam is being constructed across River Gaj in District Dadu of Sindh.

It will store 300,000 acres feet of water to irrigate 28,800 acres of land, besides generating 4.2 MW of electricity.

 

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Multi purpose Nai Gaj Dam, being constructed in Dadu, Sindh,
It will store 300,000 acre feet of water to irrigate 28,800 acres of land. In addition, the Project, having a small hydel power station, will also generate 4.2 MW green, clean and affordable electricity..

 

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Sindh provincial government plans to buy hundreds of hybrid buses from China in the next fiscal year, starting on July 1, 2023, according to a senior Sindh minister.

Sindh Information and Transport Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon told Gwadar Pro that the province needed buses to facilitate the people. "We have purchased buses from China in the recent past, and they are very fuel-efficient. We plan to buy more in the coming months," he informed. Memon underlined that the government was committed to resolving the transport issue in Sindh.

"Chinese buses have been beneficial, and we hope to further capitalize on Chinese technology," he remarked. Earlier, the Sindh government allocated PKR 10 billion for the procurement of 500 hybrid buses in the provincial budget for the financial year 2023-24.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, while presenting the provincial budget on Saturday, announced a total allocation of PKR 13.4 billion for the provincial Transport Department. He stated that PKR 6.1 billion has been earmarked for the 'Intra-District Peoples' Bus Service,' and PKR 2 billion for the maintenance of transport infrastructure.

Additionally, the government has set aside PKR 600 million for new routes. Three new routes will be introduced from next year to facilitate employees of the Sindh secretariat.

 

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Dhabeji granted the status of Special Economic Zone​

By Tahir Ali
Jun 29, 2023

ISLAMABAD - To promote the value addition component in exports, generate employment, encourage the import situation, and mobilize foreign exchange for the balance of payments support, Dhabeji Special Economic Zones (DSEZ) in Thatta Sindh is another mega project designed within the framework of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)─ a core component of Belt and Road Initiate (BRI).

In a major development last week, Federal Minister for Board of Investment (BOI) Choudhary Salik Hussain chaired the 8th meeting of the Approvals Committee which approved the establishment of eight SEZs including the DSEZ Thatta.

“Dhabeji Special Economic Zone has been granted SEZ status after much anticipation; DSEZ will pave a new era of industrialization for Karachi and Pakistan; the groundbreaking is to be held in mid-July 2023,” reads an official statement of Sindh Economic Zones Management Company (SEZMC). DSEZ will facilitate the potential investors of China and other countries to either start new enterprises or transfer their facilities to Pakistan.

In 2021, a technical issue emerged regarding the awarding of the contract of Dhabeji Industrial Zone (DIZ) when a petitioner raised questions that the rules of SEZ were not followed during awarding of the contract. SEZMC stated DIZ is not a special economic zone and later will be declared as SEZ. Now, the government has officially declared DIZ as DSEZ.

According to CPEC’s official website, 1530 acres of land have been allocated to establish DSEZ which will be developed in two phases. DSEZ has been proposed to be constructed in two phases comprising 750 acres for Phase I and 780 acres for Phase II.

DSEZ has easy access to Port Qasim, enabling raw material import and finished goods export without incurring major inland transportation costs and saving time. A direct access road (8km) connecting Port Qasim to Dhabeji Zone is being developed.

A dedicated cargo deck connecting the zone with ML-1 from Dhabeji Junction and a jetty connecting Port Qasim alongside the Dhabeji zone from the creek side are envisaged to facilitate export-oriented industries. Karachi Airport (35 Km) via National Highway enables safe travel of foreign workers and management personnel, National Highway enables the transportation of goods to upcountry and Central Asian nations, utilizing the National Trade Corridor.

 

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Dhabeji Special Economic Zone

The Dhabeji Special Economic Zone project is a significant component of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and will be linked to the historic Keti Bandar, which connects to the Gwadar Port. Keti Bandar was constructed following the closure of the historic Shah Bandar, which was a significant trading hub at the time.

In Dada Sindhi’s book “Ports and Bazaars of Sindh,” it is stated that Ghulam Shah Kalhoro constructed Shah Bandar in order to engage in trade with Mughal emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir. This facilitated business activities starting from 1659 AD. Subsequently, Keti Bander was established.

During the early years of British rule, the port mentioned was highly profitable and served as a shipping point for the East India Company’s goods to Shah Bandar. Both Shaheed Bhutto and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto initiated various projects for the rehabilitation of Keti Bandar and Shah Bandar.

Now, as Keti Bandar is part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a special economic zone has been established for the successful implementation of this project. The economic zone, known as Dhabeji Special Economic Zone, covers 1500 acres of land and aims to connect Karachi to the entire country through the Malir Expressway.

The development work of the Dhabeji Special Economic Zone is planned to be completed within 18 months. Situated approximately nine and a half kilometers from Port Qasim, this proximity adds to the value and usefulness of the project. The economic zone can serve as a storage hub for Port Qasim, facilitating efficient logistics.

Furthermore, the economic zone will be well-connected through road and railway networks, enabling the transportation of goods and materials. The zone will accommodate a range of industries, including light, medium, and heavy industries.

Additionally, it will provide warehouse and logistics facilities, as well as commercial and residential plots for people seeking residences or business opportunities.

The Dhabeji Special Economic Zone aims to provide a peaceful environment for residents and businesses alike. To ensure a smooth functioning of the economic zone, an allocation of 878.5 million has been made for water supply, ensuring an uninterrupted water supply through the Dhabeji Pumping Station.

Additionally, an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) has already been signed with Sui Southern Gas for the supply of gas to the economic zone.

Furthermore, a grid station with a capacity of 250 MW will be established through a line from the National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC) to provide electricity to the project.

The cost of setting up this grid station is estimated to be around Rs 6.15 billion. These measures are aimed at providing essential utilities to support the smooth functioning and development of the Dhabeji Special Economic Zone.

The Dhabeji Special Economic Zone has allocated 13.5 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) of gas supply, which will be provided at a cost of Rs 429 million. This gas supply is essential to supporting the industrial activities within the economic zone.

Furthermore, as part of the annual development plan, a dedicated road connecting the economic zone directly to Port Qasim is scheduled to be completed by 2024. This road project has a budget of Rs 2.7 billion and will be linked to the National Highway through an interchange, enhancing connectivity and facilitating the movement of goods and people.

Special packages have also been announced to incentivize people working in the economic zone. These include a one-time exemption from tax and customs duty on the import of capital goods, as well as income tax exemption for a period of ten years. These measures are designed to promote investment, boost economic activity, and attract businesses to the Dhabeji Special Economic Zone.

The Dhabeji Special Economic Zone is regarded as a flagship project of the Government of Sindh and is planned to be executed through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

The feasibility study and transaction advisory for the project were completed by IBE Karachi, EA Consulting, and Rhea Barker Gilt, indicating a comprehensive planning process.

Zayed KB Builders has been selected as the successful bidder for the project, and a concession agreement has been established with them. EF Ferguson has been appointed as the project’s auditor to ensure transparency and accountability.

The economic zone is expected to attract significant investment, estimated to be around $5 billion. With such substantial investment, the project holds the potential to provide employment opportunities to approximately one lakh (100,000) individuals.

In a 2016 CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor) meeting, approval was granted for six economic zones, one of which is the Dhabeji Special Economic Zone. Today, work is commencing on this project.

The Dhabeji Special Economic Zone is strategically located, with 1500 acres of land allocated for it on a 50-year lease. Additional land will also be assigned for the zone’s expansion, contributing to the economic development of Pakistan, particularly in Karachi.

The Dhabeji Special Economic Zone holds a central position and is in close proximity to Karachi Port, Karachi Airport, Port Qasim, and the National Highway.

It is expected to be a game-changer in terms of industrial development, introducing a new concept not only in Sindh but throughout Pakistan.

 

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200 Bed Children Hospital Sukkur Inaugurated.

Children Hospital Sukkur by Sindh Government, which encompasses a wide range of services for pediatric patients including OPD, emergency care, radiology, day care, and an intensive care unit designed specifically.

 

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30 Yutong Green Buses Joined People’s Bus Service fleet​

By Tahir Ali
Oct 23, 2023

Yutong-Master’s Diesel Electric Hybrid Buses. [Photo/SMTA]

KARACHI - The Sindh Government has expanded the People’s Bus Service fleet in Karachi by adding 30 state-of-the-art buses, aiming to enhance public transport for local residents.

The recent fleet expansion includes 30 Yutong-Master’s Diesel Electric Hybrid Buses, reflecting the government’s dedication to advancing modern and sustainable transportation solutions.

“Good news for Karachiites with the addition of another 30 modern buses to the current fleet of the People’s Bus Service,” announced Sindh Mass Transit Authority (SMTA) late on Sunday night.

The authority also released images of the newly added green-colored Yutong buses, adorned with the inscription “Green Energy” and accompanied by depictions of trees. These visual elements symbolize the emphasis on promoting green energy and environmental preservation.

Earlier in May, SMTA had publicized that a fresh fleet of Diesel Electric Hybrid Buses was en route to Karachi, adding that the mentioned bus model had already arrived in the city.

During the key-handing over ceremony, representatives from Yutong Master presented the key of the inaugural Diesel-Electric Hybrid City Bus to the then Sindh Minister for Transport for the People’s Bus Service. According to the company's statement, this particular model of Yutong Master is anticipated to play a transformative role in the intra-city bus segment, akin to the significant impact previously made by Yutong Master in revolutionizing Pakistan's bus market.

The company further pledged to introduce international standards in Pakistan, ensuring the implementation of best practices in product support.

 

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World Bank approves $240mn for WASH services in Karachi​

Financing to support investments in water, sanitation services

BR Web Desk
December 13, 2024

The World Bank approved $240 million in financing for the Second Karachi Water and Sewerage Services Improvement Project (KWSSIP-2). The project is aimed at providing safely managed water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in Karachi.

According to a statement released by the World Bank on Friday, KWSSIP-2 will be co-financed by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) with $240 million. In addition, there will be a government contribution of $250 million and expected private sector and commercial finance of $269 million.

“Safely managed WASH services are the foundation of public health and quality of life and are central to addressing the stunting crisis in Pakistan,” said Najy Benhassine, World Bank Country Director for Pakistan.

“KWSSIP-2 will expand the scope of investments in bulk water augmentation, water treatment, wastewater treatment and reuse, water distribution, and sewer network rehabilitation. About half of all beneficiaries will be women, 58% will be youth (age 15–24), as well as over half a million people in Katchi Abadis (informal settlements).”