Sindh cabinet takes major step towards digitalisation of land records

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah presided over a cabinet meeting took a series of major decisions, including approval of the Sindh Land Revenue Bill for e-transfer and digitalisation of land records Motor Third-Party Insurance across the province, allocation of land for Danish schools, agreements with The Citizens Foundation (TCF) for management of municipal schools, restructuring of the Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) Department’s role, and guidelines for the Provincial and District Annual Development Programme (ADP) 2026-27.

The meeting, held at the CM House, was attended by provincial ministers, advisers, special assistants, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah and concerned secretaries.

Land Revenue (Amendment) Bill, 2025. The cabinet approved amendments in the Sindh Land Revenue (Amendment) Bill, to enable digitalisation of land records and introduce an e-Transfer of Land Title System across the province, and referred the bill to the Sindh Assembly.

The Cabinet was informed that the project, approved earlier on July 8, 2025, aims at rewriting and authenticating Records of Rights, digitising land data through a block chain-based database, and developing an e-transfer system for land titles.

The pilot phase is being implemented in Dehs Palijani and Matiari of District Matiari, and Deh Bagerji of District Sukkur.

To provide legal cover, amendments have been proposed in the Sindh Land Revenue Act, 1967, including the addition of ICT-related definitions, expansion of the definition of Record of Rights to include digital records, and insertion of a new Section 42-A to empower the government to frame rules for digitalisation and e-transfer of titles.

The cabinet appreciated the efforts of the Board of Revenue and Sukkur IBA. The implementation of the law, after passage of the bill from the assembly, will be a milestone.

The chief minister termed the law in the supreme interest of the public, transparency and accuracy.

Motor Third-Party Insurance: The cabinet reviewed the implementation of mandatory Motor Third-Party Insurance in the province. On the instructions of the chief minister, the Excise department held discussions with the Insurance Association of Pakistan (IAP) to simplify the claim payment process.

The chief minister directed the Excise department to ensure that compensation is payable in cases involving duly insured vehicles. He also directed the department to facilitate the public; insurance facilitation desks must be established, with standardised premium rates across the industry. A 24/7 helpline and assistance by insurance surveyors will also be provided to guide victims and legal heirs.

The CM, in consultation with the cabinet, decided that Motor Third-Party Insurance will be enforced from the next financial year. The CM also approved proposals to reduce stamp duty from Rs 500 to Rs 50 and sales tax on third-party motor insurance from 15 per cent to 5 per cent.

Murad Shah approved exemptions for motorcycles from mandatory insurance proposed through amendments to the Motor Vehicles law. The initiative aims to ensure compensation for third parties affected by road accidents and provide insurance coverage to drivers of private and commercial vehicles across Sindh.

Under the proposal reviewed by the Sindh Cabinet, the Motor Vehicles law will be amended to implement Motor Third-Party Insurance effectively.

Amendments are proposed to the Motor Vehicles Ordinance, 1965, to be placed before the Sindh Assembly for approval. Additionally, amendments to Sections 19 and 20 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1939, have been proposed, mainly to exempt two-wheelers (motorcycles) from mandatory third-party insurance.

Once approved by the Sindh Assembly, these amendments will provide the legal framework for enforcing Motor Third-Party Insurance in the province from the next financial year.

TCF Partnership for Management of Municipal Schools: The cabinet approved concession and license agreements between the Town Municipal Corporations (TMCs) of Malir, Chanesar and Lyari and The Citizens Foundation (TCF) for the management of selected municipal schools across Karachi.

The initiative, aligned with the Sindh Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2013, will ensure free quality education, including tuition, uniforms and learning materials, for students in 21 schools.

Under the agreements, TCF will handle construction, renovation and management of the schools for a 25-year term, extendable by mutual consent. TMCs will provide land and buildings free of cost.

Cabinet’s approval allows immediate renovation and operationalisation of the selected schools, benefiting thousands of students in Karachi.

Revised Role of IPC Department: The cabinet, after thorough discussion, approved a proposal to update the Sindh Government Rules of Business, 1986, redefining the mandate of the Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) Department to remove duplication and strengthen inter-provincial coordination.

Under the revised framework, the IPC Department will serve as the administrative department for the Council of Common Interests (CCI), Inter-Provincial Coordination Committee (IPCC) and other inter-provincial forums, while also functioning as a policy think tank to provide research-based advice and strategic support to the chief minister and chief secretary.

The Cabinet was informed that other departments, including Agriculture, Industries, Investment, Mines & Minerals, Culture, IT and STEVTA, were previously performing several IPC functions. The updated rules aim to streamline responsibilities and improve coordination with the federal government and other provinces.

The Law Department has endorsed the proposal, while the Services, General Administration & Coordination Department recommended assigning CCI matters exclusively to IPC and deleting the existing overlapping entry.

The Cabinet approved the changes, paving the way for more effective policy coordination and representation of Sindh at inter-provincial and federal forums.

ADP 2026-27 Guidelines: The cabinet also approved the guidelines for the formulation of the Provincial and District Annual Development Programme (ADP) 2026-27.

The Cabinet directed all administrative departments to align their proposed portfolios with the government’s economic agenda, ensuring that new schemes are consistent with approved development strategies and have clearly defined, measurable outcomes. Emphasis was laid on climate-resilient development, consolidation and completion of flood-damaged infrastructure, and allocation of counterpart funds for foreign-assisted projects in line with international commitments.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025