The Sindh Prime Minister Murad Ali Shah criticized the Federal Government for not fulfilling its financial commitments with the province, while promising improvements Development measures and aid in the 2025–26 budget.
Speaking at a press conference after the budget on Saturday, Shah said the provincial budget totaled RS3.45 billion, with an RD-1,018 billion assigned for development projects.
He warned that these figures could change depending on whether the federal government meets its income transfer obligations.
He announced that 1,460 development schemes, with a value of RS590 billion, will be completed this fiscal year. This marks a record for the province.
In public sector salaries, Shah confirmed a 12% increase for employees in grades 1-16 and a 10% increase for grades 17-22. The total expenditure on salaries and pensions will reach RS1.1 billion.
Regarding the sector, education has seen an 18%increase in budget allocation, 11%of medical care, the 5%local government and the energy of 16.5%. The transport department will receive RS 59.6 billion, while agriculture will obtain RS 22.5 billion. RS132 billion have been allocated to local organizations and RS43 billion for irrigation.
Only for Karachi, a dedicated budget of RS236 billion has been assigned, excluding public-private partnership projects from RS95 billion that are already underway.
The CM made bold statements regarding rehabilitation efforts for flood affected areas, indicating that 500,000 houses have been completed, 850,000 are about to finish and 1.3 million are under construction. He said that international institutions, including the World Bank, have recognized effort as a global success model.
He also cited a massive rural drainage initiative and water supply worth RS600 billion, which will be implemented locally and the NGOs will be supervised.
On taxes, Shah declared that no new taxes have been imposed. In fact, several taxes have been eliminated, including restaurant and entertainment taxes. Third -party motorcycles insurance has been exempt, stamps and numerous administrative rates are reduced by half.
In agriculture, the CM announced free laser lightness for small farmers and an 80% subsidy for large -scale growers. He also introduced cluster agriculture as a new model. The Sindh Children’s Health Institute was described as the world’s largest network. Initiatives for people with disabilities, youth development centers and new school schemes were also revealed.
Shah openly criticized the Federal Government for excluding the main SNDH projects, such as the K-IV water supply project, desalination plants and other energy-related infrastructure, the Federal Public Sector Development Program (PSDP). He warned that the Popular Party of Pakistan (PPP) would not support the federal budget if Sindh does not receive a fair part.
“We are not part of the Federal Coalition, we only offer conditional support. If Sindh is not treated equally, we will withdraw our support,” he said.
Shah defended the acquisition of official helicopters and vehicles, adding that the prohibition of new vehicle purchases would apply from next year.
Concluding its speech, the CM said that the Government of Sindh is working with a clear direction and intention for public welfare, as reflected in the increase in public mandate in the last elections.
