Sindh Resettlement and Rehabilitation Policy-2023

The Government of Sindh, through its Planning & Development Department, formulated the first-ever Sindh Resettlement & Rehabilitation (R&R) Policy-2023. The policy approved by the Sindh Cabinet in its meeting held on March 21, 2023, and formally notified by the P&D Department, Government of Sindh, on June 13, 2023, for implementation in all development projects in both donor and locally funded projects. Sindh is the first province to have a Resettlement & Rehabilitation Policy in the Country. In order to attend to the operational and functional matters related to the implementation of the Policy, a Desk has been created in the Directorate of Sindh Water Sector and Barrage Improvement/PCMU, P&D Department, Government of Sindh, notified by the P&D Department on August 23, 2023.

The key objective of the Policy is to avoid and minimize the displacement and resettlement by exploring the alternative options: provide adequate compensation, resettlement and rehabilitation assistance, and to ensure that the need for the displacement and corresponding resettlement and rehabilitation is identified at the project identification stage, appropriately planned for the project design at an early stage.

In follow-up, the steps below have been taken at the desk level for the implementation of policy actions.

  • Copies of printed policy document have been shared with all the concerned departments/offices/ authorities of the Provincial & Federal Government and also placed on website of PCMU.
  • Policy document translated in local languages in Sindhi and Urdu. The printed copies in Sindh Language have been shared with all the concerned provincial departments/Offices/Authorities, Divisional Commissioners in August 2024.
  • The World Bank is provided support to the Government of Sindh for the dissemination and implementation of the Policy. In this regard a three-member team of Technical Experts including One International Resettlement Specialist deployed for providing necessary support and facilitation in implementation of policy actions.
  • The WB Technical Team visited Karachi in month of February 2024 and held initial consultative meetings with PCMU and also met with senior officials of the P&D Department, Irrigation Department, Human Settlement Department, Board of Revenue and also Commissioner Karachi.
  • Follow-up consultative meetings were also held during the month of March 2024 and September 2024 with mid-level officers of concerned departments of provincial & federal government and their attached bodies (Nine Departments, Eleven Authorities and two Federal Government).
  • The Handbook on Policy Implementation has been developed and is placed on the website of the PCMU.
  • Draft Addendum of Sindh Planning Manual developed and submitted to the P&D department for further process of action at the departmental level.

Organized the following workshops / Trainings:

  • PCMU in collaboration with the World Bank Technical Team, organized five days’ series of consultative training workshops on Sindh R&R Policy held on 13-17 May 2024 at Karachi participated by the Secretary Irrigation, Agriculture, P&D, Commissioner Karachi Division, Members P&D Board, and around 200 officials from various government departments/ offices.
  • A four-day training workshop was held on February 24-27, 2025, in collaboration with CESS of NED University Karachi and attended by around 55 officials from various government departments/offices.
  • Training of Trainers (ToT) was held on June 25-28, 2025, virtually and attended by the 33 Officers and civil society representatives.
  • Delivered a presentation to officers of the district administration of Karachi Division on the Policy implementation held virtually on May 25, 2025, participated by Additional Commissioner-I, Deputy Commissioner, Additional Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners, and Mukhtarkars from all districts of the Karachi division.
  • The (PCMU) P&D Department, Government of Sindh, with the support of the Commissioner Mirpur Khas Division and in partnership with local NGO (M/s SRPO), organized a one-day awareness-raising workshop on 23 September 2025 in Mirpurkhas. The workshop focused on enhancing stakeholders’ understanding of the policy framework, its implementation mechanisms, and alignment with local and international development Projects. The event witnessed the participation of a large number of officials from government departments, representatives from non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society groups, and the corporate sector. The Project Coordinator PCMU, Additional Commissioner-I Mirpurkhas Division; the Additional Deputy Commissioner-II, District Mirpurkhas, the Director, Nara Canal, and the Director Agriculture graced the occasion and shared their views and comments.

Policy Implementation Status

  • The Sindh Resettlement and Rehabilitation Policy 2023 is being actively implemented across major development initiatives executed by the Government of Sindh or the Federal Government and other private/corporate or any other agencies. Key projects include the Sindh Solar Energy Project, Sindh Water and Agriculture Transformation Project, and Karachi Water and Sewerage Services Improvement Project. Through these projects, the policy ensures that affected communities receive fair compensation, livelihood restoration, and resettlement support in line with national and international standards. It promotes transparency, stakeholder engagement, and grievance redress mechanisms during project execution. Overall, the policy strengthens social safeguards and minimizes the adverse impacts of infrastructure development on vulnerable populations.