World Turns Attention to Sindh as Province Leads Largest Housing Reconstruction Program

Karachi: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah stated that global attention has focused on Sindh because the provincial government delivered tangible results under challenging circumstances.

Addressing the Asia-Pacific Shelter and Settlements Forum 2026 in Karachi, the Chief Minister highlighted that during the devastating 2022 floods, 70% of Sindh was submerged, affecting 2.1 million homes and displacing millions of people. Following this crisis, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari committed to providing strong and dignified housing for every affected family.

Murad Ali Shah noted that initially, resource constraints made this goal appear impossible. However, through determination and an effective strategy, the project was launched. Within a week, the World Bank pledged financial support, and subsequent global conferences secured backing from multiple donor agencies.

The Chief Minister revealed that the Sindh Peoples Housing for Flood Affected (SPHF) program has now become the world’s largest housing reconstruction initiative, with millions of homes under construction. He emphasized that the program empowers vulnerable groups, particularly women, by granting them home ownership, promoting social transformation.

Murad Ali Shah further stated that climate change is a global reality, and Sindh is ready to share its experiences to collectively achieve sustainable and safe housing goals.

First Lady Asifa Bhutto Zardari also addressed the forum, stating that safe housing is not merely a material need but a foundation for dignity, opportunity, and stability. She said the forum brings together diverse perspectives on shelter and sustainability, especially in the Asia-Pacific region, which is increasingly affected by climate-induced floods, storms, earthquakes, and extreme heat.

Asifa Bhutto Zardari highlighted that housing is more than a roof—it underpins health, education, and social stability. She emphasized the importance of granting homes and land in women’s names to strengthen their dignity, protection, and financial inclusion.

She praised the SPHF program as an effective model, noting that it has benefited millions of people by building climate-resilient homes after the 2022 floods. According to her, this recovery is not just structural but restores lives and futures.

The First Lady concluded by stressing that sustainable communities are built through social cohesion, trust, and participation, and involving women at the center of projects strengthens society as a whole. She urged the forum to move beyond dialogue and implement practical solutions that are cost-effective, locally driven, environmentally resilient, and inclusive, ensuring every child is safe and every woman lives with dignity.