KARACHI: Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah, wrapping up the budget speeches during Monday鈥檚 provincial assembly session, laid out the provincial government鈥檚 roadmap for the upcoming financial year 2025-26, emphasising a vision rooted in development, fiscal responsibility and strategic investment.
His remarks underscored the Sindh government鈥檚 commitment to economic stability while setting ambitious goals for infrastructure, public services, and social welfare.
Labelling the disruption by the opposition parties as blatant misconduct and a disregard for Assembly rules, Murad said: 鈥淒espite having a clear majority in the House, we still strive for inclusive governance. But unfortunately, even basic parliamentary decorum was ignored.鈥
The session began under the chairmanship of Speaker Awais Qadir Shah with prayers offered for the late mother of PPP MNA Ejaz Jakhrani.
Addressing the House, the Chief Minister criticized the behaviour of opposition, asking, 鈥淚s it ethical to stand before someone and chant 鈥榯hief, thief鈥? We formed an advisory committee to ensure the House proceedings remained orderly, but that was blatantly violated.鈥
Highlighting the extent of budget engagement, Murad noted that he was the 135th member to speak in the debate, which lasted over 42 hours鈥 an unprecedented occurrence in the Assembly鈥檚 history. He compared this with last year, when 132 lawmakers participated in budget debate.
CM Murad stated that Sindh鈥檚 development budget constitutes approximately 30 percent of its total allocation, compared to Punjab鈥檚 23 percent and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa鈥檚 25.3 percent. While Balochistan鈥檚 development share is higher, he said, it鈥檚 (Balochistan) also governed by the PPP.
He expressed frustration over reduced federal transfers. 鈥淚nitially, the federal government promised Rs1.9 trillion, but after the budget, it was revised to Rs1.796 trillion鈥 a shortfall of Rs100 billion,鈥 Murad said, adding that Sindh has formally requested the release of at least Rs237 billion.
Despite federal shortfalls, the province鈥檚 revenue collection has outpaced the centre鈥檚, with a 16% increase versus the federation鈥檚 13%. 鈥淪indh generates revenue for the entire country, and we collect tax accordingly,鈥 Murad emphasised. He also supported PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari鈥檚 remarks in the National Assembly on flawed agricultural income tax policies that forced wheat imports this year.
He said Sindh plans to collect Rs8 billion in agricultural income tax next year鈥攖ranslating to Rs1,052 per acre. In comparison, Punjab, with 28.2 million acres under cultivation, has set a target of Rs10.5 billion.
Outlining development plans, Murad said Sindh has launched youth development centers across districts, with 19 already operational. The province has also expanded services for persons with disabilities and autism centers. The Sindh Institute of Child Health and Neonatology (SICHN) is the world鈥檚 largest child emergency network, and a new SIUT is being constructed in Larkana, he said.
The budget includes plans to buy new ambulances, launch special projects for fishing community, increase funding for universities and the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board, and give government employees a 10鈥12 percent salary raise. The government has abolished entertainment and professional taxes and introduced tax relief on vehicles. Sindh鈥檚 Annual Development Program (ADP) stands at Rs1,082 billion, he said.
Rejecting criticism over lack of focus on Karachi, CM Murad said, 鈥淐ontrary to media reports, Rs12 billion worth of mega projects are reserved for Karachi this year.鈥 He cited the flood rehabilitation project as a globally praised initiative with no contractors involved鈥 homeowners are rebuilding their own houses. Out of 2 million targeted homes, 1.2 million are under construction, and 600,000 are completed.
Addressing claims that 11 ministries are under his control, Murad clarified, 鈥淚 actually oversee 45 ministries in total but currently hold six portfolios.鈥 He compared this with Punjab鈥檚 CM, who holds 14 ministries, and CM Balochistan, who oversees 20.
He also urged members to propose large-scale, visible development projects instead of small schemes. Sindh is the only province with strong financial discipline. He lauded Bilawal Bhutto Zardari鈥檚 recent foreign visits, and praised Pakistan鈥檚 armed forces for their strong response to Indian aggression.
Earlier, Leader of the Opposition Ali Khurshidi launched a scathing critique of the PPP鈥檚 17-year rule in Sindh. He argued that the party鈥檚 growing seat count was not due to performance. 鈥淧ublic problems have only worsened during PPP鈥檚 tenure,鈥 he said.
Khurshidi highlighted that numerous development schemes from 2017 remain incomplete, including cadet colleges in Sukkur, Khairpur, Kashmore, and Jacobabad. 鈥淭he education schemes of 2008 are still pending,鈥 he added.
He accused the government of ignoring Karachi鈥檚 basic needs. 鈥淪olid waste isn鈥檛 collected even from doorsteps, and loopholes in governance bring disrepute to the state,鈥 he said. He also raised alarm over Karachi鈥檚 frequent earthquakes, questioning the government鈥檚 inaction.
Regarding federal treatment of Sindh, the opposition leader declared, 鈥淭he Centre is unjust to us, and we will not stay silent.鈥 He corrected a claim by Minister Sardar Shah: 鈥淜arachi doesn鈥檛 just collect revenue鈥攊t generates it.鈥
He reiterated support for the Karachi mayor but demanded urgent resolution of long running issues, including water crisis.
Khurshidi concluded by calling out the presence of mafias in Karachi and urged resolution of the K-Electric issue. 鈥淵ou insult us, yet expect our help too.鈥
Sindh鈥檚 Senior Minister for Transport & Mass Transit and Information, Sharjeel Inam Memon, highlighted key development initiatives during his budget speech, emphasising the launch of the 鈥淚 Work for Sindh鈥 app, which has registered 7.2 million users, including over 127,000 job seekers鈥12,310 of whom have secured employment. The app integrates public and private job opportunities, gaining widespread popularity.
He said in the transport sector, the Sindh government has expanded the People鈥檚 Bus Service to five major cities and introduced the AFC system for fare payments.
The Green Line service saw an increase of 15,000 daily riders after its handover to the provincial government, with integration plans under way with the Orange Line. Pakistan鈥檚 first EV bus service and the region鈥檚 first Pink Bus Service for women were launched, along with 1,000 pink EV scooters for women. A Pink EV Taxi service, with female drivers, is also being introduced.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025