Ahmed Khan Malik

The Sindh government’s development budget for fiscal year 2025-26 aims at boosting economic activity, enhancing infrastructure, and addressing social sector gaps across the province.

With a clear focus on inclusive growth, the new budget sets out a roadmap to improve livelihoods, create jobs, and bring equitable development to both urban and rural areas of Sindh.

The total development outlay for the upcoming year stands at Rs. 737 billion, marking a significant increase from the previous fiscal cycle. Of this, the Annual Development Programme (ADP) has been allocated Rs. 410 billion, while the remaining funds are earmarked for foreign-assisted projects, public-private partnerships, and special development initiatives.

The government has emphasized that the budget has been prepared with transparency and efficiency in mind, with special monitoring systems being put in place to ensure timely execution.

“This year’s development priorities are aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “We are not just spending for the sake of spending. “We are investing in the people of Sindh, especially in sectors like health, education, water, sanitation, and climate resilience”, Mumtaz Jamali, Additional Director of Planning & Development Department told WealthPK.

He said that one of the features of the budget is the substantial allocation towards human development. The education sector has been allocated Rs. 62 billion under the development budget.

This will fund the construction of new schools, upgradation of existing facilities, recruitment of teachers, and digital learning initiatives. A new program to introduce smart classrooms in underserved districts has also been launched.

Similarly, the health sector received a development budget of Rs. 39 billion. This includes the expansion of primary healthcare centers, upgradation of district hospitals, and new initiatives for maternal and child health. The government also announced the establishment of a modern cancer treatment facility in Karachi and the expansion of the SIUT and NICVD networks to regional cities, he said.

Jamali noted that infrastructure development remains a major component of the Sindh development strategy. Over Rs. 98 billion have been allocated to roads, bridges, and transport projects. Special focus will be given to rural connectivity, with several new link roads planned to connect remote villages with market hubs.

In urban areas, the Karachi Mobility Improvement Project will continue with the expansion of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors and improvements in public transport infrastructure. The government also committed Rs. 22 billion for urban development schemes in cities including Hyderabad, Sukkur, and Larkana.

To support the agrarian economy, Rs. 18 billion has been allocated to agriculture and irrigation. This includes subsidies for farmers, lining of water courses, and rehabilitation of canals.

Recognizing the urgent threat posed by climate change, the budget also includes Rs. 12 billion for climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction projects, particularly in flood-prone areas.

He said that this depicts Sindh government’s commitment to water security by investing in water supply, sanitation, and drainage schemes worth Rs. 35 billion. Several of these projects are being implemented in partnership with international donors and aim to improve both access and quality of water services across the province.

In a move to empower local governments, the budget includes block allocations for district-level development. Each district will receive targeted funds based on population and development needs, with a focus on gender equity and marginalized communities.

Credit: INP-WealthPk