While political debates often dominate public attention, a significant transformation is taking place in Sindh through infrastructure investment, public service delivery and partnerships between government and the private sector. The province’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) programme reflects a development vision that seeks to mobilise private capital, expertise and innovation to overcome the limitations of conventional public funding.
At the heart of this approach is Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s vision of accelerating economic development and creating opportunities for the people. Building on the legacy of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, who championed the PPP concept, Bilawal has advocated partnerships that bring government and the business community together to undertake ambitious projects without placing the entire financial burden on the public exchequer. In May 2026, he inaugurated the Shahrah-e-Bhutto Expressway and announced further strategic initiatives, including a proposed modern seaport at Keti Bandar under the PPP model.
The vision requires effective implementation, and Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has played a central role in steering the provincial programme. Under his leadership, the PPP Policy Board has considered and approved initiatives across transport, education, tourism, industrial development and other sectors. In July 2026, he also approved restructuring the provincial PPP Unit into a private limited company, with the aim of creating a more autonomous and investment-oriented institution for the next phase of development.
An important role in advancing this agenda belongs to Syed Qassim Naveed Qamar, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Investment and Public-Private Partnership Projects. His engagement with investors, industrialists and government institutions helps connect the province’s development priorities with potential private-sector partners. In 2025, he reported that Sindh’s PPP investment portfolio had reached Rs616 billion, reflecting the scale of projects being developed under the model.
Infrastructure is much more than concrete, steel and asphalt.
The programme’s reported figures illustrate its scale. According to an earlier provincial development review, projects worth Rs148 billion had been completed, while another Rs130 billion worth of projects were ongoing. In June 2026, the government reported a wider PPP portfolio of approximately Rs625 billion, with Rs190 billion worth of projects under construction and more than Rs365 billion at the procurement or investor-solicitation stage. These figures represent different categories and stages of investment; the entire portfolio should not be confused with completed infrastructure.
The importance of this model lies in its reach across transport, healthcare, education, water supply, energy and urban infrastructure. The Hyderabad-Mirpurkhas Dual Carriageway, completed in 2012, was Sindh’s first infrastructure project under the PPP model. More recent initiatives, including the Shahrah-e-Bhutto Expressway and the M9-N5 Link Road, demonstrate the continuing role of partnerships in improving connectivity and supporting economic activity.
Infrastructure is much more than concrete, steel and asphalt. Better roads help farmers transport produce, businesses reach markets, and workers access employment. Investments in water supply can improve public health and support industry, while partnerships in education and healthcare can extend essential services to communities that need them most. The true value of these projects is measured in the opportunities they create and the everyday difficulties they help overcome.
Sindh’s framework has also received international recognition. The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Infrascope 2018 ranked Sindh sixth among 19 Asian jurisdictions assessed for their enabling environment for public-private partnerships. This historical assessment recognised the province’s institutional and regulatory framework; it should not be interpreted as a current ranking of project performance.
The next challenge is to convert investment commitments into completed projects and reliable public services. Transparent procurement, sound financial arrangements, timely delivery and effective oversight are essential to ensuring that public interest remains at the centre of every partnership. Development must also reach rural districts and underserved communities rather than being concentrated exclusively in major urban centres.
A successful PPP programme does not absolve government of its responsibilities. It enables government to combine its planning capacity and public mandate with private-sector financing and expertise, while retaining the duty to protect citizens, enforce contracts and ensure value for public money.
With a substantial investment portfolio, established institutional mechanisms and projects spanning several sectors, Sindh has built a significant platform for further infrastructure development. The leadership vision of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the implementation role of Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and the investment coordination undertaken by Qassim Naveed Qamar are important elements of this evolving programme.
Ultimately, the success of Sindh’s public-private partnerships will be judged not by announcements or investment figures alone, but by completed projects, improved services, employment opportunities and tangible benefits for ordinary people.
Public vision, private investment and accountable partnerships can turn development ambitions into lasting public assets. For Sindh, the real revolution will be measured by the difference these projects make in people’s lives.
The writer is PPP MPA and spokesperson/ Media Cell, Bilawal House, Karachi