ISLAMABAD: The government is all set to place Sindh Infrastructure Development Company Limited (SIDCL) under the administrative control of Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, headed by Asad Umar.

The SIDCL, previously KIDCL is a public limited company established in June, 2015, under Section 32 of the Companies Ordinance, 1984, to undertake mega infrastructure projects in Karachi.

In February, 2019, the administrative control of the Company was shifted from the Ministry of Communications to the Cabinet Division. Owing to enhanced scope of the Company to build infrastructure in the province of Sindh rather than Karachi alone, its nomenclature was accordingly, changed from KIDCL to SIDCL in 2019.

On August 28, 2020, a presentation on current portfolio and activities of the SIDCL was given to the Prime Minister, in the Prime Minister's Office. The Governor Sindh, Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives (PD&SI) and Communications also participated.

During the discussion, it was agreed, in principle, that SIDCL may be placed under some other relevant Ministry/Division having the requisite technical expertise, especially in project management and monitoring & evaluation, to better manage the portfolio in accordance with the mandate of SIDCL, which is likely to increase further in future.

The Prime Minister, on a summary moved by the Cabinet Division has directed to place the case before the Federal Cabinet for amendment in the Rules of Business, 1973 to transfer the SIDCL from the Cabinet Division to Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives at the earliest.

The Cabinet Division has submitted a summary to the Cabinet seeking approval to place SIDCL under the administrative control of the Planning, Development & Special Initiatives Division, and necessary amendments in Schedule-II of the Rules of Business, 1973 be made accordingly.—MUSHTAQ GHUMMAN