Sindh Cabinet Approves Interest Free Loans for Gul Plaza Traders
KARACHI (Handout) The Sindh Provincial Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, on Monday approved a comprehensive relief and rehabilitation package for victims of the Gul Plaza tragedy, constituted a high-level committee to review the inquiry findings, and sanctioned multi-billion-rupee infrastructure, transport, water and welfare initiatives to boost Karachi’s development and public service delivery.
According to official handout issued by Spokesperson to Sindh CM, Abdul Rasheed Channa the cabinet offered fateh for those who lost their lives in the Gul Plaza incident and approved Rs10 million in compensation for each deceased victim’s family. Affected shopkeepers will receive interest-free loans of Rs10 million each, with the provincial government bearing the interest, along with Rs500,000 per shopkeeper as immediate subsistence support. The cabinet also directed that alternative commercial spaces be provided within two months.
A high-level subcommittee, headed by the chief minister and comprising senior ministers, was formed to review the inquiry committee’s report and ensure accountability.
For Karachi’s infrastructure, the cabinet approved Rs19.116 billion for six major road projects, including the Star Gate flyover, Malir Halt underpass, Sohrab Goth flyover, and key arterial road reconstructions.
In mass transit, the cabinet approved the revised PC-I of the BRT Yellow Line, raising its cost to $620 million with World Bank financing, targeting completion by December 31, 2028. It also authorised Rs300 million for land acquisition for the BRT Red Line’s Malir Depot, with the project on track for completion by June 2026.
The cabinet formed a committee to review compensation claims of Lyari Expressway affectees amounting to Rs315 million and approved the Rs10.55 billion Dumlottee–DHA water pipeline project to be executed by the Frontier Works Organisation to address water shortages.
It also approved the allocation of 100 acres of land for a 6 MGD water filtration plant in Hyderabad, sanctioned a Rs6.371 billion modern fruit and vegetable mandi in Larkana, extended the agreement with the Anti-Narcotics Force to run rehabilitation centres, and reconstituted the Workers Welfare Board Sindh.
Additionally, the cabinet approved the closure of the Sindh Renewable Energy Company to avoid duplication, appointed non-official members to the boards of law colleges, and emphasised speedy and transparent implementation of all approved projects.
