Sindh approves plan to set up vehicle inspection centres under PPP mode

KARACHI: The Sindh government has decided to establish modern vehicle inspection centres across the province under the public-private partnership (PPP) model to check the fitness of commercial vehicles.

The decision was taken by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah while chairing the 52nd meeting of the PPP Policy Board at the Chief Minister House on Friday, according to a press statement. The meeting reviewed and approved a range of projects in infrastructure, education, transport, technology and industrial development aimed at supporting socio-economic growth through public-private partnerships.

Those present at the meeting included provincial ministers Sharjeel Inam Memon, Nasir Shah, Jam Khan Shoro, Ismail Rahu and Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, Chief Minister’s Special Assistant Qasim Naveed, MPAs Ghulam Qadir Chandio and Qasim Soomro, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah and other officials.

The board was told that unfit vehicles were contributing to environmental pollution and road accidents, while the existing fitness regime lacked effective monitoring and inspection. Officials informed the meeting that the proposed centres would be developed with private sector participation and would use a digital system allowing online booking of inspection appointments. An awareness campaign on a mobile vehicle inspection facility will also form part of the initiative.

Murad Ali Shah said the project would help improve road safety and environmental standards, describing it as an important measure to improve the performance of commercial vehicles. The PPP Policy Board approved competitive bidding for the selection of private investors for the establishment of the centres.

Teacher education project cleared

The board also considered the Sindh Institute of Teacher Education (SITE) project proposed by the Universities & Boards Department. The meeting was informed that the Sindh government had created SITE through the Sindh Institute of Teacher Education Act, 2025, as an autonomous degree-awarding institution focused on teacher education, educational research and leadership development.

According to the briefing, the project is intended to address a shortage of qualified faculty, particularly for four-year B.Ed programmes being offered in 30 teacher training institutes across Sindh. The board was informed that Durbeen, a not-for-profit organisation and a sister concern of Zindagi Trust, had submitted an unsolicited proposal for the establishment, management and operation of SITE.

Officials also told the meeting that Durbeen was working with the University of Oxford on the development of an MPhil curriculum for educators tailored to Pakistan’s context. The board approved the concept proposal and authorised the use of the existing consortium of transaction advisers already engaged by the Sindh Technical Education & Vocational Training Authority for due diligence and transaction advisory services.

NED Science and Technology Park reviewed

The board reviewed progress on the NED Science & Technology Park project, which is being developed in collaboration with Enertech Holding Company, a subsidiary of the Kuwait Investment Authority. The meeting was informed that the concession agreement had already been signed and that site clearance and preparatory work were in progress.

Officials discussed complications caused by delays in the grant of Special Technology Zone status because of federal restrictions linked to IMF conditions. Alternative structuring options were presented in case the status is not granted. Under one proposed arrangement, the government’s obligation to purchase unsold commercial space would arise only three years after commercial operations begin if occupancy remains below 60 per cent. The board authorised continued engagement with federal authorities for Special Technology Zone approval while refining alternative project structures.

Karachi Port corridor bidder approved

The board also approved key decisions on an elevated corridor linking Karachi Port to Jam Sadiq Interchange near Qayumabad. The 16.5-kilometre project comprises 10.4 kilometres of elevated structure and 6.1 kilometres of embankment sections.

The meeting was told that the bidding process had been completed through international competitive bidding and that, after technical and financial evaluation, one firm emerged as the lowest evaluated bidder. The board approved the consortium as the successful bidder and authorised the executing agency to sign concession agreements and financing instruments.

International recognition for Sindh PPP projects

During the meeting, the chief minister said four PPP projects from Sindh had been selected as international case studies at the 10th United Nations Economic Commission for Europe International PPP Forum held in Barcelona, Spain.

The chief minister said the international recognition reflected the strength of Sindh’s PPP framework and its alignment with sustainable development goals and global best practices.

He said that of 139 PPP projects submitted from 21 countries, only 69 were selected globally for inclusion in the UNECE PPP Forum Compendium, and all four projects submitted by Sindh’s PPP Unit were chosen. The selected projects were the Teachers Training Institute, Shahrah-i-Bhutto Expressway, Education Management Organisations and Carbon Emission Reduction through Forestation.

The meeting was also informed that Sindh’s TTI project was presented as one of the Most Impactful Projects during a plenary session attended by more than 600 participants, including governments, investors and development practitioners from over 60 countries.