Karachi | ReNews Pakistan

The Sindh cabinet has approved the negotiated financing and implementation package for the $150 million Sindh Property Revenue Enhancement Programme (Sindh-PREP), advancing a major initiative to modernise urban property taxation and strengthen the financial management of local governments.

The programme seeks to improve the accuracy of urban property records, strengthen tax administration, increase revenue collection and develop more effective financial management systems for municipal institutions across the province.

The decision was taken during a provincial cabinet meeting chaired by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on October 20, 2026.

According to the approved framework, one of the programme's principal objectives is to increase annual Urban Immovable Property Tax (UIPT) collection across Karachi's 25 Town Municipal Corporations from the current Rs 2.3 billion to a target of Rs 25.5 billion during implementation.

The proposed increase represents an additional Rs 23.2 billion in annual property tax revenue, equivalent to approximately 11 times the existing collection level.

However, the target is dependent on the successful implementation of administrative reforms, accurate property assessments, broader tax coverage and improved collection efficiency.

Under the proposed financing structure, the World Bank will provide $150 million, comprising $110 million through a Programme-for-Results (PforR) component and $40 million through Investment Project Financing (IPF).

The Programme-for-Results mechanism links financing to the achievement and verification of specified performance targets, while the investment financing component is intended to support technical systems, institutional development and reform implementation.

The Sindh government will also provide a counterpart contribution equivalent to 20 percent of the Programme-for-Results component.

The cabinet approved the negotiated package covering financing and implementation arrangements, the programme's results framework, performance verification procedures and environmental and social commitments.

Beyond Karachi, the initiative is intended to strengthen property tax administration in other urban areas of Sindh.

The programme includes institutional capacity-building measures for 45 selected local councils and the introduction of an Integrated Financial Management Information System.

Karachi | ReNews Pakistan

The Sindh Mass Transit Authority (SMTA) has issued detailed bidding documents for a modern truck terminal and logistics park on at least 400 acres along Karachi’s Northern Bypass, the M 10, combining truck parking and dispatch facilities with warehousing, commercial spaces and essential support services.

The Request for Proposals (RFP), released on October 16, 2026, invites a private developer or consortium to arrange land, secure financing, design and construct the project, and operate the facility under a single concession agreement.

The proposed site may be located on either side of the Northern Bypass but must have direct access from the M 10 motorway.

The terminal is planned to accommodate approximately 5,000 trucks simultaneously and handle at least 5,000 truck movements daily. A central queuing and call-forward system will manage truck staging and dispatch.

The proposed layout comprises a 250 acre core for truck staging and a further 150 acres for logistics and commercial support. Facilities will include warehouses, cross docking facilities, cold storage, container storage, freight forwarding offices, vehicle workshops, fuel stations and driver accommodation. Banking, dining and medical services are also included in the proposed scope.

The concession will run for 25 years, allowing up to two years for engineering and construction, followed by 23 years of operations and maintenance. Early commercial operations may begin during construction once facilities for at least 1,000 trucks and essential services have been completed and certified.

Under the bidding framework, land acquisition and development will be financed entirely by the private partner. SMTA will provide no government land, capital contribution or subsidy.

Ownership of the land and buildings will remain with the concessionaire or the underlying landowner, while the agreement will grant the operating franchise and management rights.

Bidders must submit bid security of Rs 25 million. The non-refundable fee for the RFP documents is Rs 5,000.