Sindh bans inter-provincial wheat movement amid rising prices

Sindh on Thursday decided to impose a ban on inter-provincial movement of wheat as part of a broader strategy to secure food supplies, curb hoarding and stabilize market availability.

Briefing the media about key cabinet decisions taken under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said the move came amid rising wheat prices and was aimed at ensuring equitable distribution and price stability across the province.

He said the cabinet meeting endorsed a comprehensive reform and development agenda covering health, education, transport, governance and infrastructure, which reflected what he described as a “development-driven approach” by the provincial government.

The Cabinet approved allocations of Rs 338.8 million for development schemes in Sukkur and Rs 916.14 million for prison food and dietary requirements. The Sukkur package includes the upgrading of the Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Wellness and Recreational Park and the establishment of a women’s block at the Mir Masoom Shah Library, with the aim of strengthening the cultural and educational infrastructure of the division.

In terms of health reforms, the Cabinet approved the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC) and National Institute of Child Health (NICH) Operations and Management Act, 2025, formally placing both institutions under a structured provincial legal framework. The Act introduces standardized recruitment procedures, performance-based accountability and improved federal-provincial coordination.

The Cabinet also approved a continuation of the EPADS procurement system for medicines, vaccines, oncology drugs and emergency health kits for FY2026-27, while approving early planning for the subsequent procurement cycle.

A centralized Sindh Postgraduate Residency Policy 2026 was also approved, introducing a unified entrance test and merit-based system for 3,794 education seats with an allocation of Rs 4.739 billion. The policy aims to eliminate inconsistencies in admissions and strengthen postgraduate medical education standards across institutions.

Sharjeel said that Sindh has established more than 10 autism centers where the federal government recognizes the expertise of the province and seeks help. He added that an autism center would now be established in Islamabad with the technical support of Sindh.

In transport and infrastructure, the Cabinet approved the handover of the BRT Red Line Lot-2 project to the Frontier Works Organization (FWO) under a government-to-government arrangement to speed up delayed construction along with emergency funding for transport facilitation.

Other decisions included allotment of land for a strategic tide gauge station at French Beach, a 15-day relaxation of the annual fishing ban to provide relief to fishermen and transfer of the SBOSS platform to the Sindh IT Company to improve digital governance.

The cabinet also approved amendments to Technical Education Acts (STEVTA), expansion of IBA Karachi’s mandate to establish campuses nationwide and an agreement to export Sindh’s autism rehabilitation expertise to Islamabad.

Memon said women-focused initiatives, including free training and distribution of pink scooters, are part of a wider empowerment programme.

On constitutional issues, he said the federal government has yet to initiate consultations on the proposed 28th amendment, adding that Sindh would review any proposal once it is formally shared. He also said that the Qayyumabad to KPT bridge project is targeted for completion within two years to improve Karachi’s connectivity.