Sindh Province

Karachi: [ReNews Pakistan]
The Sindh cabinet has approved development schemes worth Rs 11.198 billion for major road and bridge connectivity projects in Karachi, as part of a broader push to improve urban infrastructure and ease traffic pressure across the city.
The approval was granted during a cabinet meeting chaired by the Sindh chief minister. According to an official statement issued by the Chief Minister’s House, the approved schemes will be executed under the Karachi Mega Project and funded through the “New Development Initiatives” allocation of the Annual Development Programme for financial year 2025-26.
The projects include the rehabilitation, improvement and widening of several important roads and transport corridors in different parts of Karachi. These include Haji Ibrahim Essa Road, Haji Camp Road, Korangi Link Road and roads in Clifton connecting to Marine Drive. Development work has also been approved for Mehran Road and Pajero Road in Scheme 33, Korangi Creek Airbase Road, the extension of Jinnah Avenue in Gulzar-i-Hijri and Baldia Stadium Road, which connects Shahrah i Orangi with Hub River Road.
Officials said the road improvement schemes are aimed at strengthening Karachi’s internal connectivity, reducing travel time and improving access between residential, commercial and industrial areas. The selected routes are considered important for daily commuters, public transport movement and commercial activity.
In addition to road rehabilitation, the cabinet also approved the construction of two major bridges in the city. One bridge will be built at Power House Chowrangi in North Karachi, while the second will be constructed at 4-K Chowrangi in Surjani Town. Both locations are considered high-traffic points where congestion has remained a persistent issue for commuters.
To begin implementation, the cabinet sanctioned an initial release of Rs 560 million, which is around five percent of the total estimated cost of the approved Karachi infrastructure schemes. The amount will be released from the current ADP allocation to allow relevant departments to start preparatory and execution work.
The chief minister directed the concerned departments to ensure timely execution of all approved schemes and maintain quality standards during construction. He said development projects must be completed within the given timelines so that citizens can benefit from improved road infrastructure without unnecessary delays.
Separately, the Sindh cabinet also approved Rs 8.824 billion for water supply and drainage schemes across the province. Officials said the funds will be used for multiple projects aimed at upgrading water and sanitation systems in both urban and rural areas.
The cabinet also approved a new framework for receiving Sindh’s 12.5 percent natural gas royalty in kind on a field-to-field basis, instead of receiving it entirely in cash. Officials briefed the meeting that the proposed arrangement could generate an additional Rs 26 billion annually for the provincial government.

Hyderabad: [ReNews Pakistan]
The Hyderabad Development Authority (HDA) has warned commercial property owners of strict action, including cancellation of no objection certificates, if outstanding commercialization and land use conversion charges are not cleared without further delay.
In a statement, the authority said it had decided to launch what it described as a final and decisive enforcement operation against commercial entities that have failed to pay millions of rupees in government dues despite repeated notices and reminders.
According to HDA officials, several commercial properties in Hyderabad have not cleared their pending land-use conversion and commercialization charges. The authority said the continued non-payment had forced it to move towards strict administrative and legal action in order to recover public dues and ensure compliance with commercial regulations.
Director Planning and Development Control Asghar Memon expressed concern over the persistent delay in payment of dues by commercial property owners. He urged all defaulters to immediately settle their liabilities to avoid punitive action.
He warned that failure to comply could lead to cancellation of NOCs, legal proceedings and other enforcement measures against the concerned property owners. The authority said such action would be taken in accordance with the relevant rules and regulations.
HDA officials said multiple notices and reminders had already been issued to defaulters through different channels. However, the authority maintained that many property owners continued to ignore the instructions and failed to demonstrate seriousness in clearing their outstanding dues.
The authority described the attitude of defaulters as irresponsible and said it could no longer delay enforcement action. Officials added that the operation was being initiated ahead of Eidul Azha as part of efforts to strengthen recovery of government dues and regulate commercial activity in the city.
The Hyderabad Development Authority said the crackdown was being carried out in the public interest and would continue until pending dues are recovered and commercial properties are brought into compliance with the approved land-use and commercialization framework.

Karachi | ReNews Pakistan
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has launched an inquiry into the alleged illegal issuance of no objection certificates by the Sindh Building Control Authority for marriage halls and marquees in Karachi, along with the reported construction of commercial buildings on amenity plots.
According to available details, NAB has taken notice of complaints regarding illegal commercial activity, misuse of public and amenity spaces and failure of the relevant authorities to act against unauthorized constructions. The bureau has sought a detailed report from SBCA on alleged violations, financial losses to the national exchequer and reasons behind the authority’s lack of effective enforcement.
In its communication to the Sindh Building Control Authority, NAB also pointed out that previous requests for information had not been properly answered. The anti graft body has now asked the authority to submit a comprehensive report covering illegal NOCs, enforcement gaps and action taken against unauthorized marriage halls, marquees and commercial structures.
The inquiry comes amid growing concern among residents, urban rights activists, legal experts and business stakeholders over the unchecked commercialization of residential areas in Karachi. Critics say illegal wedding venues and commercial buildings have increased traffic congestion, worsened environmental conditions and placed additional pressure on the city’s already fragile civic infrastructure.
An SBCA spokesperson said the authority has started a city-wide survey to identify illegal marriage halls and marquees. According to the spokesperson, data is being collected from different districts of Karachi and a consolidated report will be shared with the relevant institutions after completion of the exercise.
However, several stakeholders have raised questions over the effectiveness and fairness of the ongoing survey. They argue that many illegal structures are already known to the authorities, while legitimate business operators continue to face repeated documentation requirements, inspections and regulatory pressure.
The All Karachi Marriage Hall, Lawn and Banquet Owners Association has also expressed serious concern over the growing number of unauthorized wedding venues.
Association president Rana Raees Ahmed said nearly 200 illegal ballrooms are operating in residential buildings without proper fire exits, structural safety measures or regulatory approvals.
He described such venues as serious safety hazards and warned that they could become death traps in case of fire, emergency or structural failure. He said lawful marriage halls are required to comply with building regulations and safety standards, while illegal operators continue to function freely due to weak enforcement and administrative negligence.
The NAB inquiry is expected to increase pressure on civic and building control authorities in Karachi, where urban planning violations have become a major public concern. Civic stakeholders say unregulated commercialization must be addressed through transparent enforcement, legal scrutiny and strict action against those responsible for approving or protecting illegal structures.