Portugal-Sindh cooperation gains momentum as Murad invites Portuguese investment in water, energy
Newswire
Karachi: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah this week invited Portuguese companies to invest in Sindh’s water, energy and infrastructure sectors, while seeking Portugal’s technological expertise in desalination and football development to address Karachi’s growing water needs and promote young sporting talent in Lyari.
During a meeting with Portugal’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Paulo Domingues, at CM House, the chief minister proposed establishing direct engagement between Portuguese companies specialising in water management and desalination and the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) to explore the feasibility of modern desalination plants in Karachi.
The meeting highlighted Portugal’s potential role as a technological and investment partner for Sindh, with discussions covering water security, energy cooperation, infrastructure development, private-sector investment and sports, particularly football.
Welcoming Ambassador Domingues, Murad Ali Shah said Sindh was keen to benefit from Portugal’s experience and technological capabilities to develop sustainable solutions for Karachi’s increasing demand for drinking water.
He proposed that Portuguese companies work with KWSC to examine the technical and commercial feasibility of desalination projects, including available technologies, investment requirements, financing arrangements and potential implementation models.
“Portugal has valuable technological expertise in water management and desalination. We want to benefit from this experience to develop sustainable and modern water supply solutions for Karachi,” the chief minister said.
He emphasised that international partnerships could help Sindh introduce innovative technologies, strengthen public infrastructure and improve essential services, while creating opportunities for mutually beneficial economic cooperation.
Karachi’s expanding population and rising demand for drinking water have intensified the need for sustainable water management solutions. In this context, engagement with Portuguese companies could help Sindh explore alternative water sources and modern desalination technologies, subject to feasibility assessments and investment considerations.
The chief minister also invited Portuguese investment in Sindh’s energy sector, highlighting opportunities for cooperation through advanced technology, technical expertise and private-sector participation.
He directed the provincial Investment Department to establish contact with the Portuguese Embassy and identify potential projects and areas of commercial cooperation for Portuguese investors.
The initiative is intended to translate diplomatic engagement into practical investment opportunities by connecting Portuguese companies with relevant provincial institutions and local partners.
Football development emerged as another prominent area of potential cooperation, with Murad Ali Shah inviting Portugal to help nurture young talent in Karachi’s Lyari neighbourhood, renowned for its footballing culture.
The chief minister said Lyari possessed considerable sporting talent that could benefit from Portugal’s established football traditions, professional coaching expertise and modern training methods.
“Lyari has tremendous footballing talent. We want our young players to benefit from Portugal’s rich footballing experience, modern coaching techniques and international standards of training,” he said.
He discussed the possibility of partnerships between Portuguese football institutions, coaches and sports organisations and their counterparts in Sindh to promote grassroots football and provide young players with greater opportunities for professional development.
Potential initiatives could include coaching exchanges, specialised training programmes, technical assistance and international exposure for promising footballers.
The proposed cooperation would not only strengthen football development in Sindh but also create avenues for people-to-people engagement and youth exchanges between Pakistan and Portugal.
Ambassador Paulo Domingues expressed interest in expanding Portugal’s engagement with Sindh in water management, desalination, energy and sports, and highlighted opportunities for Portuguese companies to share expertise and explore potential projects.
He welcomed the proposal for direct engagement between Portuguese firms and KWSC to examine desalination opportunities, providing a basis for further discussions on technological cooperation and investment.
Portugal’s expertise in water management and football development, alongside potential commercial engagement in energy and infrastructure, could contribute to expanding economic and institutional links between Portugal and Sindh.
The meeting was attended by Portugal’s Political Officer David Arcaú, Honorary Consul of Portugal in Karachi Amin Fakar, and Secretary to the Chief Minister Asif Jameel.
The discussions reflected a growing interest in strengthening Pakistan-Portugal cooperation through provincial-level partnerships, with Sindh seeking to attract Portuguese technology, investment and expertise to address development challenges and create new opportunities for economic growth.
Both sides agreed to maintain coordination to identify potential projects and advance cooperation in priority sectors, with the proposed initiatives to be pursued through further engagement and feasibility assessments.