CM unveils plans for city's revamp
Significant infrastructure upgrades are planned for the metropolis, including road rehabilitation and improvements to sewerage and water supply across multiple districts. CM Murad Ali Shah announced this during budget speech.
Urban transport in the city will expand with Pakistan's first 50 electric buses, with plans to add another 100 by August 2025. Progress on the city's Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) projects includes the Yellow Line nearing completion and the Red Line being over 50 per cent complete.
Meanwhile, the Karachi Safe City project is making strides with the implementation of AI-integrated CCTV systems and expanded coverage. Progress is also being made on major projects such as the Korangi Causeway Bridge and improvements to Shahrah-e-Bhutto. New ADP initiatives will target heritage restoration, enhance business areas, and facilitate crucial road constructions.
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Express Tribune
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Sindh CM shares grievances with centre in post-budget press conference
Listen to article Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah criticised the federal government for failing to meet its financial commitments to the province, while promising enhanced development and relief measures in the 2025–26 budget. Speaking at a post-budget press conference on Saturday, Shah said the provincial budget totalled Rs3.45 trillion, with a record Rs1.018 trillion allocated for development projects. He warned that these figures could change depending on whether the federal government meets its revenue transfer obligations. He announced that 1,460 development schemes, worth Rs590 billion, will be completed this fiscal year. This marks a record for the province. On public sector salaries, Shah confirmed a 12% increase for employees in grades 1–16 and a 10% raise for those in grades 17–22. Total expenditure on salaries and pensions will reach Rs1.1 trillion. Sector-wise, education has seen an 18% increase in budget allocation, healthcare 11%, local government 5%, and energy 16.5%. The transport department will receive Rs 59.6 billion, while agriculture will get Rs 22.5 billion. Rs132 billion has been earmarked for local bodies and Rs43 billion for irrigation. For Karachi alone, a dedicated budget of Rs236 billion has been allocated — excluding the Rs95 billion public-private partnership projects already underway. The CM made bold claims regarding rehabilitation efforts for flood-affected areas, stating that 500,000 houses have been completed, 850,000 are near completion, and 1.3 million are under construction. He said international institutions, including the World Bank, have recognised the effort as a global model of success. He also cited a massive rural drainage and water supply initiative worth Rs600 billion, which will be locally implemented and NGO-supervised. On taxation, Shah stated that no new taxes have been imposed. In fact, several taxes have been eliminated, including restaurant and entertainment levies. Third-party motorcycle insurance has been exempted, stamp duties reduced, and numerous administrative fees halved. In agriculture, the CM announced free laser levellers for small farmers and an 80% subsidy for large-scale cultivators. He also introduced cluster farming as a new model. The Sindh Institute of Child Health was described as the world's largest such network. Initiatives for persons with disabilities, youth development centres, and new school schemes were also unveiled. Shah openly criticised the federal government for excluding major Sindh projects — such as the K-IV water supply project, desalination plants, and other energy-related infrastructure — from the federal Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP). He warned that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) would not support the federal budget if Sindh does not receive a fair share. 'We are not part of the federal coalition, only offering conditional support. If Sindh is not treated equally, we will withdraw our backing,' he said. Shah defended the procurement of helicopters and official vehicles, adding that a ban on new vehicle purchases would be enforced starting next year. Concluding his address, the CM said the Sindh government is working with clear direction and intent for public welfare — as reflected in the increased public mandate in the last election.
Express Tribune
15 hours ago
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CM presents over Rs1tr ADP for 2025-26
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, while unveiling the annual budget in the assembly, presented the Annual Development Programme (ADP) for the fiscal year 2025-26 with a total outlay of Rs1.018 trillion. The ADP is set at Rs520 billion, complemented by District ADP Rs55 billion, Foreign Project Assistance (FPA) Rs366.72 billion, and Federal PSDP grants Rs76.28 billion. The ADP and the development portfolio focus on the rehabilitation of flood-damaged schools and infrastructure to enhance education access, upgradation of healthcare facilities, promotion of climate-resilient agriculture and irrigation system restoration, provision of clean drinking water and sanitation to improve public health, strengthening road connectivity and urban infrastructure including mass transit and Safe City projects in Karachi, implementation of green energy initiatives and renewable energy projects, poverty alleviation through nutrition support, community infrastructure, and low-cost housing. Ongoing and New Schemes The ADP includes 3,642 schemes with Rs400.5 billion allocated - 82.6 per cent for 3,161 ongoing projects and 17.4 per cent for 481 new initiatives. Special development initiatives have been allocated Rs119.5 billion. Sector-wise Allocations Education Rs102.8 billion; health: Rs45.4 billion; irrigation: Rs84 billion; local government: Rs132 billion; works & services: Rs143 billion; energy (including Thar Coal and renewable): Rs36.3 billion; agriculture, livestock, fisheries: Rs22.5 billion; transport & mass transit: Rs59.7 billion. Development Strategy The government emphasises completing ongoing projects by allocating 80 per cent of the budget to them, while 20 per cent is reserved for new schemes. Special priority is given to rehabilitation of flood-hit areas, energy initiatives, Karachi city projects, and sustainable development goals like clean water and sanitation. Implementation and Monitoring The Planning & Development Depart-ment will fast-track approval of SDG-related projects, with strict financial release strategies to ensure timely completion. The government also plans to extend the plan period of schemes expiring in June 2025 by one year to maintain continuity. Review of 2024-25 Performance The outgoing year saw the completion of 1,460 schemes, the highest in recent years, with significant progress in housing for flood-affected people - over 400,000 houses completed and more under construction. The total development expenditure reached Rs468 billion, with 73 per cent utilisation of released funds. This comprehensive ADP reflects Sindh's commitment to sustainable development, infrastructure enhancement, and social welfare, aiming to boost economic growth and improve quality of life across the province.
Express Tribune
15 hours ago
- Express Tribune
CM unveils plans for city's revamp
Significant infrastructure upgrades are planned for the metropolis, including road rehabilitation and improvements to sewerage and water supply across multiple districts. CM Murad Ali Shah announced this during budget speech. Urban transport in the city will expand with Pakistan's first 50 electric buses, with plans to add another 100 by August 2025. Progress on the city's Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) projects includes the Yellow Line nearing completion and the Red Line being over 50 per cent complete. Meanwhile, the Karachi Safe City project is making strides with the implementation of AI-integrated CCTV systems and expanded coverage. Progress is also being made on major projects such as the Korangi Causeway Bridge and improvements to Shahrah-e-Bhutto. New ADP initiatives will target heritage restoration, enhance business areas, and facilitate crucial road constructions.
