KARACHI: The general debate on Sindh’s provincial budget continued in the Sindh Assembly on Thursday, with low attendance from both government and opposition members. MQM-P’s Rehan Akram criticized the budget allocation, claiming that 90% of the funds were directed towards rural Sindh, leaving Karachi and urban areas neglected.
Akram also alleged that the Anti-Corruption Department had become a corrupt entity and highlighted ongoing issues like the water crisis and poor sewerage systems in his constituency. His party members also raised concerns about unaddressed issues in the city, such as water shortages, and the lack of representation of the minority community in the budget.
Several other members, including PTI’s Rehan Rajput, pointed out the fiscal deficit in the budget and criticized the heavy expenditure on select departments. Provincial ministers, however, defended the budget, with PPP’s Mumtaz Jakhrani highlighting the government’s efforts in education and healthcare, including the recruitment of new teachers and the expansion of the NICVD network.
The debate also saw tensions rise, with remarks about the chief minister being removed from the record and discussions focusing more on leadership rather than the budget itself. Despite the heated exchanges, the session was adjourned, with the next meeting scheduled for Friday.
