Heated exchanges mark Sindh Assembly budget debate

KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly continued its general discussion on the budget for the next fiscal year on Monday, with treasury and opposition members clashing repeatedly as protests disrupted proceedings and some remarks were removed from the official record. The sitting, chaired by Speaker Awais Qadir Shah, also adopted a condolence resolution for PPP MPA Naeem Kharal, who died a day earlier, paying tribute to his services to democracy and the party.

Tension rose during the debate when comments by an MQM-Pakistan lawmaker prompted a strong protest from PPP members, leading the chair to order that the remarks be expunged. Later in the session, another row broke out after MQM-P lawmaker Farhan Ansari alleged major corruption in the Bus Rapid Transit Red Line project and said its cost had climbed to Rs80 billion. His reference to bodies in sacks triggered an uproar, with PPP lawmakers demanding action. The chair later deleted the remarks from the assembly record, while the provincial home minister ordered an inquiry.

Treasury defends budget

Speaking in the debate, Industries and Commerce Minister Jam Ikramullah Dharejo said the provincial budget had been presented despite difficult economic conditions. He said Sindh had contributed around Rs260 billion to the federation under the NFC Award and described that as a significant contribution. He accused the federal government of continuing what he called injustices against Sindh, citing gas load-shedding and the absence of motorway infrastructure.

Dharejo said repeated assurances regarding the Sukkur-Hyderabad motorway had not been fulfilled and proposed setting up a provincial motorway authority. He also referred to water scarcity in the province, opposed calls for placing Karachi under the federation, and said such demands ran against Sindh’s interests. He further warned that any move to end the Benazir Income Support Programme would be anti-people.

Social Welfare Minister Mir Tariq Talpur said the government had launched senior citizen cards and established shelter homes, including one in Karachi, with plans to expand the initiative across Sindh. He said the child protection helpline had received more than 270,000 calls and was functioning in 30 districts. Talpur added that more than 8,000 drug addicts had been treated in collaboration with the Anti-Narcotics Force, and said ethnic politics remained a major obstacle to Karachi’s development.

Zakat and Auqaf Minister Riaz Shah Shirazi told the house that 35 development schemes were in progress in his department and that 14 had already been completed. He said the remaining schemes would be finished in the next fiscal year. He also said funds had been allocated for a protective embankment from Gharo to Ali Bandar to address sea intrusion.

Universities and Boards Minister Muhammad Ismail Rahoo said Sindh had greatly expanded higher education, with the number of universities rising from 10 before 2008 to 30. He added that student enrollment had increased to more than 137,000.

Opposition targets urban issues

Opposition lawmakers, especially from MQM-Pakistan, sharply criticised the government over conditions in urban areas. MQM-P lawmaker Arsalan Pervez pointed to Karachi’s deteriorating infrastructure, sewerage issues and alleged land encroachments, and called the budget a web of words.

PTI lawmakers also criticised the provincial government, citing gas shortages despite Sindh’s status as a major producer, a lack of development funds and what they described as political bias. They also demanded a 15% increase in salaries for government employees.

PPP members defended the budget, calling it people-centric and pointing to spending in health, education and infrastructure. They rejected the opposition’s criticism and reiterated that Karachi is an integral part of Sindh. The session remained underway and is set to continue on Tuesday.