Sindh govt says will launch new mega projects in upcoming budget
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah convened cabinet meeting with ministers, advisors, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, and relevant secretaries to deliberate on the province's budget proposals for the upcoming fiscal year 2025-26, a statement from the CM House said on Saturday.
The meeting underscored the government's commitment to inclusive development, poverty alleviation, and sustainable progress in line with the directives of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, it added.
Opening the session, Murad Shah said, 'I want to engage all cabinet members thoroughly in shaping the next budget to ensure it addresses the real needs of our people.'
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The CM outlined the core focus areas of the new budget, emphasising water supply and drainage, solar energy expansion, education, healthcare, agriculture, and industrial growth.
'This year ((2024-25), we have not introduced any new schemes under the priority to complete ongoing projects,' he said.
For the upcoming budget, he added, Bilawal Bhutto has issued instructions for launching new initiatives that 'bring tangible benefits to the people'.
As per the CM House, the important highlights from the meeting included continued rehabilitation efforts for flood-affected communities, repair of schools and hospitals, and launching new mega projects through Public-Private Partnerships to boost infrastructure and services, strengthening social protection programmes aimed at eradicating poverty and increasing budget allocations for repair and maintenance, as well as upgrading hospital equipment and completion of transport projects in Karachi to improve urban mobility.
Proposals given by the cabinet members included reducing non-development expenditures and empowering local governments to become financially self-reliant, introducing digital cash transfers with incentives to enhance social welfare delivery, expanding solid waste management and solar energy systems across the province, and constructing new bus stands in multiple districts to improve public transportation.
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The CM also highlighted the importance of federal-provincial coordination, stating, '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.'
'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,' he said.
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