By Ahmed Khan Malik

The Sindh government has decided to establish a comprehensive coordination mechanism to ensure effective planning, timely execution and close monitoring of industrial sector development projects across the province. The initiative aims to remove institutional bottlenecks, strengthen inter-departmental coordination and accelerate industrial growth to boost employment and overall economic activity.

According to officials, the proposed mechanism will bring together key provincial departments, regulatory bodies and industrial stakeholders on a single platform to streamline decision-making and address long-standing issues faced by investors and industrialists. The move comes in response to persistent concerns over delays in approvals, weak coordination among departments and infrastructure gaps that have hindered the full potential of Sindh’s industrial sector. The coordination framework will include the Industries and Commerce Department, Energy Department, Planning and Development Department, Environment Department, Labour Department and relevant local government institutions. Representatives from industrial estates, chambers of commerce and the private sector will also be part of the mechanism to ensure that ground realities and industry concerns are effectively conveyed to policymakers.

Speaking to Wealth Pakistan, Deputy Secretary of Industries Younas Dahri said the mechanism would function as a central forum to review progress on ongoing industrial development projects, identify bottlenecks and propose practical, time-bound solutions. Regular meetings will be held to assess project milestones, availability of utilities, land-related issues, environmental approvals and labour matters. He said a key objective of the initiative is to improve the ease of doing business in Sindh by reducing procedural delays and overlapping mandates. “Industrial development requires synchronized efforts from multiple departments. This coordination mechanism will ensure that projects do not get stuck due to avoidable administrative issues,” he added.

The government is also focusing on the development and revitalisation of industrial zones and special economic zones (SEZs) under this framework. Efforts will be made to ensure uninterrupted supply of electricity, gas and water, along with improved road connectivity and effective waste management systems in industrial areas. Infrastructure development, he said, will be aligned with industrial needs to attract both local and foreign investment. Officials further said environmental compliance and sustainable industrial practices would form a key component of the new mechanism. The Sindh Environmental Protection Agency will work closely with industries to ensure projects meet environmental standards without causing unnecessary delays. Similarly, the Labour Department will coordinate on workforce availability, skills development and compliance with labour laws.

Industrialists have welcomed the government’s decision, terming it a positive step toward resolving long-standing challenges. Leaders of business associations noted that poor coordination among departments had often resulted in cost overruns and uncertainty for investors.
Shaikh Tehseen, Chairman of the F.B. Area Association of Trade and Industry, expressed hope that the unified mechanism would enhance transparency, improve policy implementation and create a more predictable and investor-friendly business environment in Sindh.

Credit: INP-WealthPk