Sindh govt withdraws federal control over development plans

Sindh government has formally stopped the Pakistan Infrastructure Development Company Limited (PIDCL) from carrying out development work on urban projects in the province.

The decision was conveyed in a formal letter issued after a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on September 26, where officials reviewed PIDCL’s role in Sindh. According to the letter, PIDCL’s participation in urban package projects was declared unlawful. The provincial government directed that the company should only focus on completing old Pak-WAPDA schemes, which fall under its approved mandate.

Officials clarified that the Karachi and Hyderabad urban development packages do not come under PIDCL’s jurisdiction and the company must stay within the framework agreed upon between the federal and Sindh governments. The letter highlighted concerns that PIDCL was overstepping its role by executing projects beyond its authority. It stressed that only the Sindh government has the right to initiate and manage urban development work in Karachi, Hyderabad, and other cities.

By intervening in these projects, PIDCL was undermining provincial autonomy and bypassing the established governance structure. The Sindh government has now made it clear that PIDCL must immediately halt any ongoing work on these packages and withdraw from projects that fall outside its scope. The directive reflects the provincial administration’s intent to ensure that all development activities are carried out in line with the law and within constitutional limits. This move also comes amid growing calls from Sindh leaders to protect provincial rights in matters of governance and development. Authorities said that while collaboration with federal institutions remains important, it must not come at the cost of bypassing the provincial government’s authority. Further decisions on the matter are expected in upcoming meetings.