KARACHI: Sukhdev Hemnani, spokesperson for the Government of Sindh, stated on Tuesday that Sindh has emerged as Pakistan's leading province in implementing the European Union's GSP+ framework through wide-ranging reforms. Highlighting labour sector reforms, Hemnani said that Sindh has led Pakistan in advancing workers' rights and welfare.
Labour Reforms and Minimum Wage
Hemnani noted that since 2008, the minimum wage in Sindh has increased from Rs 6,000 to Rs 40,000, with plans to increase it further in the upcoming budget. Labour protections have been extended to agricultural, industrial home-based, fisheries, and domestic workers through landmark legislation and welfare initiatives, including the Benazir Mazdoor Card, Benazir Hari Card, Sindh Home-Based Workers Act, Sindh Women Agricultural Workers Act, and Sindh Domestic Workers Welfare legislation.
Child Protection and Education
Sindh has adopted a comprehensive child protection framework that has ensured a 50 percent reduction in child labour. Recent legislation has prohibited the employment of children in domestic work. The province has also launched a Rs14 billion Early Childhood Development Programme, benefiting more than 885,000 children under five through quarterly financial assistance to caregivers, growth monitoring, nutrition counselling, and school-readiness support. Additionally, 3,000 non-formal education centres are being established across Sindh to bring out-of-school children into the education system.
Health Improvements
Key health indicators have improved significantly, with infant mortality declining to 2.9 percent compared to the national average of 5.4 percent.
Poverty Reduction and Housing
Reflecting on Sindh's flagship initiatives, Hemnani said that the Peoples Poverty Reduction Programme has helped nearly 1.5 million women rise out of poverty and transformed rural communities through targeted economic empowerment interventions. The Sindh Peoples Housing for Flood Affectees programme, covering 2.1 million flood-affected families, has emerged as the world's largest public asset transfer initiative, with ownership rights of climate-resilient homes being granted in the name of women.
Legal and Gender Reforms
Sindh remains the first province in Pakistan to legislate 18 years as the minimum legal age of marriage for both males and females. The establishment of Gender-Based Violence Courts, Anti-Rape Crisis Cells, and specialised investigation mechanisms have contributed to an increase in rape conviction rates from 5 percent to 22 percent.
Human Rights and Minority Welfare
On human rights reforms, Hemnani said that Sindh has approved a comprehensive Human Rights Policy and strengthened institutional mechanisms for implementing international treaty obligations. To ensure protection and welfare of minorities, more than 400 places of worship, including temples, churches, and gurdwaras, have been restored. Minority communities continue to benefit from scholarships, welfare programmes, and protective measures, including Minority Facilitation Desks in police stations, district-level interfaith harmony committees, and dedicated security arrangements for religious sites and festivals.
Hemnani reiterated, "Under the leadership of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, the Sindh Government will continue pursuing reforms to ensure inclusive and sustainable development for all segments of society."
