KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said the federal government has released Rs9 billion to the provincial government for setting up Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) centres in Rahim Yar Khan and Rawalpindi.
Speaking at a provincial cabinet meeting, the chief minister said the funds would also be used to rebuild houses for flood-affected people in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
He said the government is also planning to establish Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology (SZABIST) and Institute of Business Administration (IBA) campuses, for which a decision will be made later. The cabinet meeting was attended by provincial ministers, advisors, special assistants, the chief secretary, and relevant secretaries.
Talking about the new SIUT centres, Murad said the initiative is aimed at improving healthcare services across the country, especially in Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan.
The cabinet proposed Rs2 billion for the SIUT Rahim Yar Khan project, Rs1 billion for SIUT Rawalpindi, and Rs500 million for the annual operating costs.
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According to media reports, a transparent monitoring system will be set up to ensure proper use of funds. This will include quarterly reports, third-party audits, and visits by Sindh government officials to project sites.
CM Murad said the initiative would improve Sindh’s image and reflect the province’s commitment to fair development and national unity.
Funds for Flood-Hit Areas
The chief minister said Rs2 billion out of the federal funds has been set aside for rebuilding houses in Balochistan’s Sohbatpur, Jaffarabad, and Dera Murad Jamali, while Rs1 billion will be used for Dera Ismail Khan in KP.
He added that the housing grants may be increased to help people deal with rising material and transport costs in remote areas.
Steps to Prevent Road Accidents
The cabinet also approved changes to traffic and transport laws to improve road safety and regulation across Sindh. Under the new rules, heavy vehicles will now pay a 0.5% registration fee on the invoice value, an annual tax of Rs1,000, and a transfer fee of Rs2,000, which includes smart card and number plate charges.
All commercial vehicles must have valid fitness certificates. Failure to do so will lead to a Rs10,000 fine. Vehicles older than 20 years will be barred from interprovincial routes, and those over 25 years will not be allowed to operate within cities. Fines will increase for repeated violations.
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Substandard rickshaws and loaders have been banned in the province. Firms that want to manufacture or assemble vehicle chassis must get a Rs3 million licence, valid for one year. Renewals will cost Rs1 million per year. Illegal manufacturing will be fined up to Rs1 million.
The cabinet also approved 30-hour certified training for heavy transport vehicle (HTV) drivers from approved institutions. The age limit for HTV licences has been reduced from 24 to 22 years, if the applicant has one year of experience with a light transport vehicle (LTV).
To strengthen law enforcement, an automatic system will be introduced. Vehicles parked in no-parking zones will be issued Fixed Penalty Notices. Repeat violations of rules such as using tinted windows may result in fines of up to Rs300,000.
