Murad Shah reviews progress on establishment of Medical Complex, SZAB Engineering College, Gadap Projects

 

Medical complex, colleges are not buildings but investments in human capital

 

KARACHI (Oct 23): Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah presided over a meeting to review the progress of two key provincial development projects- the Establishment of a Medical Complex near Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Engineering College, Gadap and the Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Engineering College itself.

 

The meeting, held at CM House, was attended by provincial ministers Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho, Syed Sardar Shah, Jam Khan Shoro, Haji Ali Hassan Zardari, and Ismail Rahu, along with Chairman P&D Board Najam Ahmad Shah, Secretary to CM Raheem Shaikh, Secretary School Education Zahid Abbasi, Secretary Finance Fayaz Jatoi, Secretary Universities & Boards Abbas Baloch, Secretary Works Nawaz Sohoo, and Secretary Colleges Nadeem Memon.

 

 

Medical Complex near Gadap: The Chief Minister was briefed that the Medical Complex, located on National Highway near Razakabad, is designed to be a state-of-the-art healthcare and teaching facility for the residents of Gadap, Malir, the entire city of Karachi and adjoining areas.

 

Originally approved in 2012 for Rs 1.43 billion, the project was revised and reapproved by the PDWP forum in April 2025 with a revised cost of Rs 4.64 billion.

 

The project includes nine main hospital blocks with an indoor capacity of 290 beds, including:

•General wards: 200 beds

•Burn ICU: 10 beds

•Medical/Surgical ICU: 20 beds

•CCU: 10 beds

•Dialysis Ward: 10 beds

•Thalassemia Centre: 10 chairs

•Emergency Unit: 30 beds

 

The main building’s ground and first-floor finishing work is in progress, while the kitchen block and residential buildings are also nearing completion. The compound wall and underground water tank have been completed, and internal Sui Gas fitting work is underway.

 

The Chief Minister was informed that the project faced delays in the past due to legal disputes (2013–2015), cost escalations, and technical modifications. However, following inter-departmental coordination and approval of the revised PC-I in April 2025, the project has now entered an accelerated phase, with civil works progressing at full pace.

 

Murad Ali Shah directed all departments to ensure full utilisation of allocated funds in the current fiscal year and maintain coordination with KW&SB and the Health Department for timely completion. “This complex will not only provide quality healthcare to citizens of Karachi’s outskirts but also serve as a medical teaching and research facility of provincial importance,” he said.

 

 

Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Engineering College, Gadap:

 

The Chief Minister also reviewed progress on the Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Engineering College at Gadap Town, being developed over 50 acres with an approved cost of Rs 1.55 billion.

 

The project was approved in 2013, with construction starting in May 2015 after the resolution of land issues. So far, an expenditure of Rs 729.96 million has been incurred.

 

The college complex includes a non-residential block - the Administration building. An Academic block with Civil, Electrical, and Computer & Software Engineering departments, an auditorium, and a library. The Residential blocks have Hostels, staff quarters, and bungalows. Communal facilities include a dispensary, a mosque, a canteen, a mini-market, and a telecommunication centre.

 

The engineering college has sports and extracurricular facilities with a Gymnasium, squash, badminton, tennis courts, cricket and hockey grounds, and jogging tracks

 

The administration and academic blocks are at the finishing stage, while the residential units are in advanced stages of completion. However, communal and extracurricular facilities are yet to commence due to insufficient and inconsistent fund releases.

 

The Chief Minister expressed concern over funding delays and directed the Planning & Development and Finance departments to revise the scheme and ensure timely, consistent fund releases to expedite completion.

 

Murad Ali Shah said that both projects - the Medical Complex and the Engineering College - are part of the provincial government’s broader vision to expand access to higher education and healthcare in Karachi’s peripheral and underserved areas.

 

“These are not just buildings; they are investments in the human capital of Sindh,” he said. “We are committed to completing them at the earliest to provide quality education, research, and medical services to our youth and citizens.”