Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, chaired a high-level meeting at Bilawal House, Karachi, to review a number of strategic initiatives aimed at accelerating economic growth, attracting international investment, and positioning Sindh as a regional hub for infrastructure, finance, technology and sustainable development.
The meeting was attended by Chief Minister Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah, Minister for Agriculture Sindh, Sardar Muhammad Bakhsh Mahar, Chief Secretary Sindh, Asif Hyder Shah, and Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Sindh, Agha Wasif.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister briefed the Chairman on three landmark strategic initiatives to be undertaken under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework.
The meeting reviewed the Keti Bandar Integrated Corridor, a long-term strategic initiative aimed at developing Keti Bandar into a world-class maritime, logistics, industrial and energy hub. The proposed corridor envisions modern port infrastructure, logistics facilities, industrial development, energy infrastructure, fisheries, tourism and associated economic activities that will strengthen Sindh’s maritime economy, promote exports, generate employment and attract significant domestic and foreign investment.
The meeting also reviewed the proposed Sindh International Financial Centre (SIFC), envisioned to reinforce Karachi’s position as Pakistan’s financial capital by facilitating infrastructure finance, Islamic finance, climate finance, financial technology, international commercial services, dispute resolution and global investment. The initiative is expected to mobilize capital for infrastructure, housing, technology, industrial development and climate-resilient projects while enhancing investor confidence.
The Data Infrastructure Initiative was also presented. The project aims to leverage Sindh’s abundant renewable energy resources for establishing renewable energy-powered data centres, cloud computing facilities, AI infrastructure and digital technology parks. The initiative is intended to attract leading global technology companies and position Sindh as a regional destination for sustainable digital infrastructure and next-generation technology investments.
The meeting was also briefed on an initiative relating to Farmers’ Agricultural Collectives. Minister for Agriculture Sindh, Sardar Muhammad Bakhsh Mahar, presented the initiative, which aims to organize small farmers into legally recognized, democratic collectives to improve productivity, strengthen collaboration and enhance access to modern agricultural services. The initiative is designed to facilitate the shared use of farm machinery, efficient water management, renewable energy solutions, digital advisory services, market linkages, financing opportunities and technical support, while promoting climate-smart agriculture, rural employment and higher farm incomes. The meeting noted that the initiative has the potential to strengthen the agricultural sector through modern, efficient and collaborative farming practices.
The meeting noted that these strategic initiatives have the potential to significantly enhance economic activity, create high-value employment opportunities, attract international investment, strengthen exports and contribute substantially to the economic development of both Sindh and Pakistan.
After detailed deliberations, it was agreed that the successful execution of projects of this scale requires institutional strengthening and specialized technical capacity. The meeting therefore endorsed the proposal to transform the existing PPP Unit into a company to provide greater operational flexibility and enable the engagement of highly qualified specialists from the market to lead and manage complex strategic PPP initiatives.
It was further agreed that internationally renowned transaction advisors will be engaged to undertake comprehensive feasibility studies, develop internationally competitive project structures and legal frameworks, and assist the Government in attracting a broad pool of reputable domestic and international investors for the implementation of these transformational projects under the PPP framework.
Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari emphasized that these strategic initiatives represent a long-term vision for the economic transformation of Sindh and reaffirmed the commitment to creating an enabling environment for private investment, innovation and sustainable development through world-class Public-Private Partnerships.
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