Key Takeaways
- The Sindh government has extended the health insurance programme for six months.
- Special task forces will be established to address water issues, climate change and AI.
- Allowances for provincial government employees have been increased starting July 1, 2026.
The Sindh cabinet has approved a six-month extension of the health insurance programme for government employees. This decision was announced by Sharjeel Inam Memon, Senior Sindh Minister and Provincial Minister for Information, Transport and Mass Transit, during a press conference following the meeting.
In addition to extending the health insurance scheme, the cabinet also decided to establish special task forces focused on water issues, climate change, and artificial intelligence. According to Memon, these task forces will involve consultations with experts in their respective fields before making policy decisions.
The Sindh government has taken several other significant steps, including strict laws against the manufacture, sale, and transportation of gutka, mainpuri, and narcotics. The Narcotics Control Department will be granted additional powers to enforce these new regulations, leading to a large-scale crackdown across the province.
To address food security concerns, the cabinet approved the purchase of 665,000 metric tons of wheat from PASSCO and the import of another 500,000 metric tons. This move is expected to result in significant financial losses for hoarders. The Sindh government also condemned Punjab’s closure of inter-provincial borders for the transportation of wheat.
Further economic measures include participation in a global forum in China to strengthen trade ties between Pakistan and China. Additionally, approval was granted for the allocation of 22 acres of land for the Kanri Mirch Mandi, completion of the Damloti-to-DHA water supply project through the FWO, and the establishment of a modern 400-acre truck stand.
In terms of employee benefits, the Sindh cabinet approved a major relief package. Starting July 1, 2026, a 2 percent differential allowance on the frozen basic pay of 2022 will be given to employees in Grades 1 to 16. The conveyance allowance for all provincial government employees has also been increased by 50 percent.
Specifically, the conveyance allowance for Grade 1 to 4 employees has been raised from Rs1,785 to Rs2,678 per month; for Grade 5 to 10, it is now Rs2,898; for Grade 11 to 15, it is Rs4,284; and for Grade 16 and above, the allowance has increased from Rs5,000 to Rs7,500 per month. The special conveyance allowance for persons with disabilities has been increased from Rs6,000 to Rs10,000 per month.
Memon also highlighted that recent rains in Punjab have caused widespread destruction but are not receiving adequate media coverage. He emphasized the alarming situation in both rural and urban areas of Punjab.
