Sindh Cabinet approved the imposition of toll on the 135-kilometre Nawabshah-Ranipur Mehran Highway, which it said primarily targets heavy and commercial vehicles, to generate dedicated resources for road maintenance and rehabilitation.
The decision was taken in the cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Wednesday.
The proposed tolling system is expected to generate gross annual revenue of around Rs2.14bn, with net annual revenue estimated at Rs1.48bn after operational expenses.
The cabinet was briefed that the dualisation of the Mehran Highway is currently underway at an estimated cost of Rs41 billion. The proposed toll system is expected to generate Rs2.14bn in annual gross revenue, with an estimated Rs1.48bn in net annual income after operational expenses.
The generated funds will be utilised exclusively for the operation, maintenance, rehabilitation and further improvement of the highway and related infrastructure. The cabinet approved the adoption of a class-based fixed toll rate system and the implementation of the proposed toll collection and revenue management mechanism.
Import of 0.5 MMT of wheat
The cabinet approved the import of 0.5 million metric tons (MMT) of wheat through the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) to meet the province’s food security requirements for 2026-27.
The cabinet was informed that Sindh is expected to face a wheat shortfall of around 1.69m metric tons, with total wheat availability estimated at 4.84m metric tons against an annual consumption demand of 6.53m metric tons.
After detailed deliberations, the cabinet approved the import of 0.5 MMT wheat through TCP under the framework being coordinated by the Federal Government.
Minimum wage increase approved
The cabinet also approved the recommendations of the Minimum Wages Board for a 7.5% increase in minimum wages across the province with effect from July 1, 2026.
Under the revised rates, the minimum wage for unskilled workers has been increased from Rs40,000 to Rs43,000 per month, while wages for semi-skilled, skilled and highly skilled workers have also been enhanced accordingly. The decision applies to workers employed in notified industrial and commercial establishments across Sindh.
Lands management bill
The Sindh Cabinet deliberated on the proposed Sindh Government Lands Management Bill, 2026, aimed at replacing the century-old Colonisation of Government Lands Act, 1912, with a modern and transparent legal framework for the management, allotment and utilisation of government land across the province.
The proposed legislation seeks to address longstanding issues in land governance by introducing market-based valuation, transparent public auction mechanisms, clear eligibility criteria for allotments, stronger enforcement provisions, and an effective grievance redressal system. The new framework will cater not only to agricultural land but also to industrial, residential, commercial, public-purpose and amenity projects.
After discussion, the CM decided to constitute a committee comprising the Minister for Law, Minister for Local Government, Advocate General Sindh and others to further review the proposed legislation and submit its recommendations to the Chief Minister before final approval and introduction in the Provincial Assembly.
The proposed law is expected to promote transparency, encourage investment, strengthen land governance and ensure efficient utilisation of state land for public welfare and economic development. –Agencies
