KARACHI: Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Thursday directed the provincial departments to speed up water security and climate-resilient projects.

He also ordered authorities to accelerate work on irrigation efficiency, drainage, rainwater harvesting and safe drinking water projects for flood-affected communities.

Presiding over a meeting on climate change at CM House, Mr Shah said that climate resilience was not merely an environmental concern, but a developmental necessity, particularly for Sindh, which remains highly vulnerable to floods, droughts, water scarcity and coastal erosion.

He said that every climate initiative must translate into tangible benefits for the people. “Our priority is to protect lives and livelihoods, secure water resources and build infrastructure that can withstand future climate shocks,” he added.

The meeting participants reviewed progress on flood protection, housing reconstruction, mangrove restoration, renewable energy and climate-smart agriculture.

According to a press statement issued by CM House, the chief minister emphasised improving irrigation efficiency, strengthening drainage infrastructure and expanding rainwater harvesting.

Says water security, protection of people’s livelihoods should be among top priorities

The briefing highlighted the rehabilitation of 552 miles of canals across 23 districts.

Sindh has constructed 207 small dams with a combined storage capacity of 0.65 million acre-feet, the meeting was told.

The chief minister directed the irrigation department to maintain the improved flood-protection infrastructure, expedite ongoing drainage schemes and ensure efficient use of available water resources.

He also reviewed the proposed STAR-WASH programme, a $540 million initiative aimed at providing safe water and sanitation facilities in flood-affected villages, with Phase I targeting 1.2 to 1.5 million people.

The meeting also reviewed the restoration of 126,000 hectares of mangroves under the Delta Blue Carbon initiatives. The government aims to expand mangrove restoration, while the Sindh Coastal Resilience Project will protect more than 500,000 people in Thatta, Sujawal and Badin through improved coastal defences, drainage and nature-based solutions.

The chief minister emphasised protecting the Indus Delta, strengthening natural barriers against coastal erosion and safeguarding the livelihood of communities dependent on coastal resources.

The meeting reviewed the pipeline of 2,360 megawatts of additional wind power, solar energy initiatives for 275,000 low-income and off-grid households and opportunities for generating clean energy from waste.

Mr Shah stressed the need to promote renewable energy, encourage private-sector investment and advanc climate-smart agricultural practices, including solar-powered irrigation, groundwater recharge and digital climate advisories.

The CM directed the relevant departments to ensure close coordination and accelerate implementation of priority projects, particularly those addressing water scarcity, flooding and the vulnerability of coastal communities.

He said that the government would continue to strengthen partnerships with international development institutions and private investors to mobilise resources, technology and expertise for climate-resilient development.

The chief minister said that the provincial government would continue to place communities at the centre of its climate-resilience strategy, ensuring that development initiatives deliver lasting improvements in people’s lives.

The meeting was attended among others by Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Planning and Development Chairman Najam Shah, Environment Secretary Faisal Uqaili and Energy Secretary Shahab Ansari.

Published in Dawn, November 13th, 2026