The Sindh government on Monday approved a comprehensive Rs1.018 trillion development strategy for the province, with a strong focus on climate-resilient infrastructure and inclusive growth.

The approval was granted at a meeting on development strategy and investment plans chaired by Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah.

The plan will guide projects under the provincial Annual Development Programme (ADP) 2025-26.

Under the ADP, Rs520 billion has been earmarked for development spending.

A major roads infrastructure plan worth Rs582 billion was approved, including Rs194 billion for Karachi road projects.

Key schemes include the Shahrah-e-Bhutto, Malir River bridges and underpasses.

The chief minister directed authorities to accelerate work on Karachi’s road projects while ensuring quality standards.

Road construction and rehabilitation in flood-affected districts have also been included in the strategy.

In the education sector, investments of Rs340 billion were approved.

The government decided to rebuild 1,600 schools damaged by floods, establish a women’s university in Sukkur, and set up nine new cadet colleges across the province.

For health, Rs300 billion has been allocated, including the expansion of nine DHQ hospitals.

Grants will be provided to SIUT, NICVD and Indus Hospital to ensure free medical treatment.

More than Rs930 billion has been earmarked for water, sanitation and hygiene projects. The chief minister ordered close monitoring of the K-IV water supply and Hub Canal projects.

An energy package of Rs67.97 billion was approved, while over Rs155 billion was allocated for Red, Yellow and Orange Line BRT projects.

The chief minister also directed faster solarisation of government buildings under the Sindh Solar Energy Programme.

The Sindh Peoples Housing for Flood Affectees project was described as a key pillar of the provincial agenda, with a target to restore 2.1 million homes.

Officials briefed that payments for 1.4 million houses have already been completed, and land ownership rights have been granted to nearly 300,000 women.

Briefings also highlighted that the Delta Blue Carbon project is expected to generate $15-20 million annually, while foreign project assistance exceeding Rs1.557 trillion has been secured.

The World Bank and Asian Development Bank remain Sindh’s major development partners. Public-private partnership projects worth Rs278 billion are also underway.

CM Shah directed all departments to coordinate closely to ensure effective implementation of the strategy, stressing that flood-affected and underdeveloped areas must receive priority benefits.