KARACHI: In a significant move aimed at enhancing road safety and boosting economic growth, the Sindh government has mandated pre-licensing driving training for all aspiring drivers in the province. This decision was announced during the 50th meeting of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Policy Board, chaired by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah.
The Board approved the establishment of specialized Heavy Transport Vehicle (HTV) and Light Transport Vehicle (LTV) driver training centers across Sindh under a PPP framework. Under the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2025, applicants for HTV and LTV licenses must complete certified pre-license training before their applications can be processed. Authorities aim to train and license 100,000 drivers over the next five years, with initial centers set up at prominent Sindh Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (STEVTA) institutions, including locations in Karachi, Dadu, Sukkur, and Naushero Feroze. The training will feature multimedia classrooms, simulators, practical on-road instruction, and licensing facilities, ensuring high standards to improve employability abroad, especially in Europe, Australia, China, Turkey, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
The meeting also greenlit projects to modernize Sindh’s education system and promote eco-tourism. A major highlight was the approval of the Sindh Secondary Education Improvement Project (SSEIP), supported by the Asian Development Bank, which will see 40 new secondary schools operated by private partners to enhance quality and increase girls’ enrollment by 38 percent. Additionally, plans are underway to introduce solar power and sanitation improvements in off-grid girls’ schools, with UNICEF acting as a transaction advisor.
To foster sustainable tourism and environmental conservation, the Board approved a feasibility study for an ecotourism initiative within Sindh’s forest reserves and mangroves, covering approximately 6,010 acres across districts such as Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, and Larkana. The project aims to develop eco-friendly amenities like walking trails, wildlife viewing, birdwatching towers, picnic spots, waste management, and cultural outlets, while promoting biodiversity conservation, job creation, and increased domestic tourism.
The Board endorsed measures to accelerate the development of Marble City Karachi, a 300-acre industrial estate dedicated to marble and granite processing. Since April 2025, the project has been under construction, with plans to complete within two years. The estate will feature around 201 acres for industrial use, with plots allocated for enterprises specializing in marble and granite, and 99 acres designated for commercial facilities, green spaces, and infrastructure. Water supply arrangements were also approved to ensure seamless utility access for the project.
Overall, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah reiterated the government’s focus on leveraging private sector efficiency to deliver high-quality services and infrastructure. The meeting was attended by senior provincial officials, including ministers and the Chief Secretary, all committed to implementing these transformative projects for Sindh’s development.
