The Sindh government is preparing to host an investment conference in Shanghai on October 15, 2026, as part of its efforts to strengthen economic cooperation with China and attract investment into the province. Sindh Minister for Information, Transport and Mass Transit Sharjeel Inam Memon announced the plan during a press conference in Karachi, saying a provincial delegation would travel to China under the leadership of the Sindh chief minister. The conference will focus on promoting business-to-business (B2B) and government-to-government (G2G) investment, with the provincial government seeking to establish stronger links between Pakistani businesses, public-sector institutions and potential Chinese investors. The initiative is intended to create additional avenues for economic activity and support employment opportunities, particularly for young people in Pakistan.
Memon said cooperation with China could help bring new investment opportunities to Pakistan and expand prospects for the country’s workforce. The Shanghai conference is part of the provincial government’s broader effort to promote Sindh as a destination for business and investment. By bringing together government representatives and commercial stakeholders, the event is expected to provide a platform for discussions on potential projects and areas of cooperation. The announcement did not specify the sectors or investment commitments expected to emerge from the conference. However, the government has presented the visit as an opportunity to strengthen bilateral engagement and encourage investment that could contribute to economic development and job creation in Sindh.
The minister also announced that the provincial government would organise the third Sindh Vision event in Sukkur towards the end of November. The first two events were held in Karachi and Islamabad, and the next gathering will bring together people from different walks of life. The initiative is intended to provide a platform for wider participation in discussions about Sindh’s development priorities and future direction. Holding the event in Sukkur would extend the initiative beyond the provincial capital and provide an opportunity for participants from different areas and professional backgrounds to contribute their perspectives. The announcement came alongside the government’s plans to engage Chinese investors, reflecting its parallel focus on investment promotion and provincial development.
During the press conference, Memon highlighted the role of Thar Coal in Pakistan’s electricity generation. He said the resource had become important for the country’s power supply and emphasised its contribution to the national energy sector. Thar’s coal reserves have remained a significant part of discussions about domestic energy resources, power generation and economic development in the region. The minister also acknowledged that Thar continued to face backwardness, while arguing that this should not limit the expectations placed on young people from the area. He said students from Thar who had passed the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) could have their results assessed through a fresh test conducted by an impartial institution, adding that such a process would establish the facts. Memon further stated that 1,100 new schools were planned to be established in Sindh within one year.
The minister also addressed political relations between the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), stating that the PPP would not enter into an electoral alliance with the PTI. He criticised remarks made by the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa against the PPP leadership and said his party had not responded to earlier statements but was surprised by the nature of the latest criticism. At the same time, Memon said the PPP wanted the PTI to have political space and supported serious discussions with the party on political matters. Referring to talks held in Islamabad, he said a draft agreement had nearly been prepared before the situation changed. He alleged that subsequent political decisions had been influenced by efforts to protect the position of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister, with the province’s residents bearing the consequences.
Security in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was another major subject of the press conference. Memon described terrorism as the province’s most serious current challenge and claimed that five of its seven divisions were affected by terrorist activity. He presented the situation as evidence of what he described as the provincial government’s failure to address security challenges. The minister also criticised the PTI’s past approach towards the Taliban, arguing that the party needed to answer questions about its earlier positions and its support for negotiations with militant groups. These statements reflected the political differences between the parties over security policy and responsibility for the province’s current situation.
Memon contrasted the security challenges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with the measures taken in Karachi, saying police and Rangers had worked together to take effective action against terrorists. He paid tribute to the sacrifices made by the Pakistan Army, police and Frontier Corps personnel, while stressing that security personnel and civilians continued to face risks in the fight against terrorism. He argued that political protests should not place the lives of security personnel in danger. His remarks also underscored the human cost of continued violence and the importance of maintaining security operations. The minister’s comments on terrorism and political relations formed a substantial part of the press conference, alongside the provincial government’s investment and development announcements.
The planned Shanghai conference remains the principal economic initiative outlined in the minister’s briefing. Its stated objectives are to encourage Chinese investment, promote cooperation between businesses and governments, and help generate employment opportunities in Pakistan. The upcoming Sindh Vision event in Sukkur and the proposed establishment of 1,100 schools were also presented as part of the provincial government’s wider development agenda. The impact of the investment conference will depend on the business discussions it generates and whether those engagements translate into concrete projects, financing and employment. For Sindh, stronger investment links with China could provide an additional channel for private-sector activity, while provincial development initiatives will remain important to ensuring that economic opportunities extend beyond major commercial centres.
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