KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Saturday convened a high-level Cabinet meeting to discuss the provincial budget proposals for the fiscal year 2025-26, emphasizing inclusive development, poverty reduction, and sustainable progress.
The session brought together ministers, advisors, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, and relevant secretaries to shape a budget aligned with the directives of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Murad Ali Shah opened the meeting by stressing collaborative engagement.
“I want to engage all cabinet members thoroughly in shaping the next budget to ensure it addresses the real needs of our people. Under Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s leadership, we have collected proposals from every district to make this budget representative and impactful.”
Key focus areas for the upcoming budget include improving water supply and drainage, expanding solar energy projects, advancing education and healthcare services, boosting agriculture, and fostering industrial growth. The CM noted that for the current fiscal year (2024-25), the government prioritized completing ongoing projects without introducing new schemes.
However, he added, “In the upcoming budget, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto has issued instructions for launching new initiatives that bring tangible benefits to the people.”
The meeting also highlighted continued rehabilitation of flood-affected communities, repair of schools and hospitals, and the launch of mega projects via Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to enhance infrastructure and public services. Strengthening social protection programs aimed at poverty eradication and increasing allocations for hospital equipment upgrades and transport projects in Karachi were also underscored.
Cabinet members proposed reducing non-development expenditures and empowering local governments for financial self-reliance. Other suggestions included introducing digital cash transfers with incentives to improve social welfare delivery, expanding solid waste management and solar energy systems across Sindh, and constructing new bus stands in various districts to improve public transportation.
Murad Ali Shah emphasized the need for federal-provincial coordination, saying, “We will finalise the budget based on the federal government’s funding commitments (provincial share) and our provincial revenue targets to ensure fiscal responsibility and effectiveness.”
The Chief Minister concluded, “After Eid, we will hold further meetings to finalise and approve the budget proposals. Our goal is to present a budget that is transparent, development-oriented, and focused on improving the lives of every Sindh resident.”
The cabinet’s proactive approach underscores Sindh’s commitment to sustainable development, social equity, and effective governance in the upcoming financial year.
