By Ahmed Khan
Files stuck for months. Projects stalled before they even began. Across Sindh, plans meant to help small industries grow are tangled in red tape — and the people who need them most are paying the price. The ongoing Sindh small industries crisis continues to delay development and job creation across the province.
Several development projects aimed at helping small businesses and creating jobs in Sindh have been delayed because of bureaucratic hurdles inside the Sindh Small Industries Corporation (SSIC).
The SSIC was set up to support small and medium enterprises across the province. But many of its industrial estate projects and entrepreneurship programs are moving at a snail’s pace due to paperwork delays, poor coordination among departments, and long approval times. These problems have slowed the creation of new industrial estates, the expansion of existing zones, and the release of funds meant for small entrepreneurs.
Bureaucracy and Paperwork Slow Down Development
Officials say the corporation’s main job is to provide infrastructure, technical support, and financial help to small industrial units. But outdated procedures, piles of paperwork, and overlapping responsibilities have made it hard to get anything done quickly.
Sources inside the SSIC admitted that files can sit for months waiting for multiple signatures and clearances. In some cases, getting land or utility connections for industrial plots has taken years.
This slow-moving system doesn’t just waste time — it drives up costs for both the government and private investors.
Entrepreneurs Struggle as Delays Block Progress
Small business owners say the complicated approval process and lack of timely decisions are scaring off new entrepreneurs. Many who applied for land or loans years ago are still waiting for updates, unsure if their projects will ever move forward.
Several ongoing projects — including new industrial estates planned for Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, and Mirpurkhas — have been hit by these delays. The result is half-finished buildings, empty land, and industrial zones still waiting for basics like electricity, water, and roads.
Experts Point to Mismanagement and Lack of Digital Systems
Experts say the root of the problem is not just bureaucracy but outdated management inside the SSIC. “A lack of digital systems, poor monitoring, and weak accountability have made things worse.
Because of this, Sindh’s small industries haven’t grown like those in other provinces,” said Nadeem Jafari, a small and medium enterprise expert in Karachi, while talking to this reporter.
Jafari said these delays directly hurt small entrepreneurs who rely on government support to get started. “Many small-scale manufacturers, craftsmen, and traders depend on SSIC’s programs for land, loans, and training. When these projects stall, people lose income and job opportunities,” he said.
Calls Grow for Reform and Accountability in SSIC
He urged the government to carry out major reforms to cut through red tape and speed up project work.
Jafari suggested using e-governance systems, online tracking, and a one-window setup to simplify approvals and make the process transparent. He also said there should be stronger accountability and performance checks to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget.
Author Profile
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Ahmed Khan is a business journalist who specializes in Pakistan’s financial markets, corporate earnings, and economic policy.
With a keen eye for market trends and investor behavior, he breaks down complex financial developments into clear, insightful stories for everyday readers.
