The Sindh government today officially approved the comprehensive Master Plan for a pioneering 75-acre Inclusive City, a landmark initiative designed to establish Pakistan”s first-ever integrated community for differently-abled persons. Presiding over a Board of Directors meeting at the CM House, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah endorsed the plan, marking a significant step towards creating a barrier-free environment for citizens with special needs.
The Chief Minister described the Inclusive City as a future model of accessibility, inclusion, and empowerment. He stated that the undertaking reflects his government”s vision to provide specialized healthcare, education, housing, and employment opportunities tailored for individuals with disabilities.
During the session, attended by top officials including Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, the project”s design and facilities were detailed. The development will feature residential blocks, an educational and training complex, advanced rehabilitation facilities, and dedicated spaces for organizations like NOWPDP. It will also house inpatient and outpatient hospital blocks, vocational centres, and clinical units.
Mr. Shah emphasized that the community would integrate inclusive education, therapy, vocational training, and assisted living to ensure the holistic rehabilitation and mainstreaming of residents into society. In a key directive, he instructed the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPD) to incorporate a sports complex into the plan, highlighting the importance of recreation for the mental development of children.
The meeting also addressed the significant utility and infrastructure challenges. K-Electric has committed to providing 4.9 MW of power through a dedicated, load-shedding-free feeder. For gas supply, the Chief Minister noted that while Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) is ready to provide a connection, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) will be explored as a more self-reliant long-term solution due to supply constraints.
To manage wastewater, on-site Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) will be installed, as no main sewage line exists nearby. The treated water will be repurposed for irrigation. Similarly, with the local water board unable to meet demand, the CM approved the installation of a Reverse Osmosis (RO) Plant to ensure a supply of potable water.
To ensure long-term flood resilience for the low-lying site, an alternative stormwater management plan was approved. This plan involves creating recharge pits, reservoirs, and channels to discharge excess water safely into the Malir River, bypassing an often-overwhelmed local drain.
Progress on the scheme is already visible, with the boundary wall completed. Infrastructure works for roads, drainage, and utilities are scheduled for completion within the next two months. Phase I of the construction, set to be executed in six months, will include the Inpatient Hospital, rehabilitation units, vocational schools, and initial housing blocks.
“This is not just a development project, but it is a statement of equality, compassion, and dignity for every citizen of Sindh,’ Murad Shah concluded, urging all departments to fast-track coordination for the initiative.