Sindh Budget: For the year 2025–26

KARACHI: The Sindh government presented its budget for the fiscal year 2025–26 on Friday. It stated that government workers would receive a pay rise of up to 12 percent and an 8 percent increase in pension benefits.

During the budget introduction, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, who also serves as the finance minister, outlined the main ideas.

In his budget speech, the chief minister proposed that government workers in grades 1 through 16 receive a pay rise of up to 12 percent. Officers in grades 17 through 22 would get a 10 percent rise.

Additionally, all government workers will receive a 10% ad hoc payment to help lessen the effects of rising living costs.

As promised by the chief minister, pensioners will get an extra 8% on their payments.

As another measure to include everyone, the Sindh government announced that people with disabilities would receive additional financial support to facilitate their mobility.

The spending on education has increased from Rs 458 billion to Rs 523 billion, a 12% rise. The amount set aside for primary schooling has gone up from Rs 136 billion to Rs 56 billion.

Five billion rupees have been allocated for college facilities, and an additional five billion rupees have been earmarked for scholarships to support students studying abroad.

The amount of money allocated to 31 public universities and nine independent schools has also increased from Rs 35 billion to Rs 42 billion.

Protests by the opposition during the budget speech in the Sindh Assembly

On the other hand, the opposition caused a stir in the Sindh Assembly during CM Murad’s (who is also the finance minister) budget speech.

CM Murad presented Sindh’s 10th straight budget. The total amount to be spent was Rs 3,451.87 billion, which is 12.9% more than the previous year’s estimate of Rs 3,056.3 billion.

CM Murad stated that workers in grades 1 through 16 would receive a 12% pay increase, while those in grades 17 through 22 would receive a 10% increase.

Also, 8% more money has been added to the pensions of former government workers.

He said that mobile diagnostic units and ambulance services would be brought to more rural places.

The Annual Development Programme has been reduced by 20% due to a lack of funding. It is now limited to Rs520 billion.

CM Murad announced 475 new development plans, with a focus on flood-affected areas, renewable energy, and underdeveloped areas.

For example, Rs 99.6 billion has been allocated for education, Rs 45.37 billion for healthcare, and Rs 73.9 billion for irrigation.

Rs132 billion has been allocated to local governments, with a portion set aside for Karachi to improve its roads, sewers, and water systems.

CM Murad announced that Pakistan‘s first fleet of 50 electric buses will begin operating in Karachi. By August 2025, another 100 buses are expected to be ready. The Yellow and Red Line BRT projects have also made progress.

There will be four IBA Community Colleges.

There will be different money for more than 34,100 primary schools. Rs 2 billion has been given to the Sindh Educational Endowment Fund. The budget for people with disabilities has gone up from Rs 11.6 billion to Rs 17.3 billion.

The healthcare industry is expected to receive a total of Rs 326.5 billion, representing an 8% increase from the previous year.

There are Rs. 19 billion for SIUT, Rs. 16.5 billion for the People’s Primary Health Initiative, and Rs. 10 billion for a new hospital in Larkana. There are also other amounts.

CM Murad stated that more funds have been allocated to charity, healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

Running costs amount to Rs 2,149.4 billion, representing a 12.4% increase from the previous year. This is due to inflation and government grants for hospitals and universities.

The spending on education has grown by 12.4% and now stands at Rs 523.73 billion.

The amount allocated to basic education increased from Rs 136.2 billion to Rs 156.2 billion, and the amount allocated to secondary education rose from Rs 68.5 billion to Rs 77.2 billion.

There will be a hiring of 4,400 new teachers and staff.

Land records were converted into digital files using blockchain, and the digital birth registration system was expanded.

Reforms in agriculture were also brought up. Through the Benazir Hari Card, more than 200,000 farmers will receive grants and modern tools, including assistance with drip irrigation systems.

A model of public-private collaboration will be employed to initiate cluster farming projects.

The Sindh Cooperative Bank will give interest-free loans to farmers. A preliminary study is being done to see if the bank can be opened.

Additionally, youth development centres will be established. The professional tax and the entertainment charge are two of the five taxes that are being eliminated.

The tax on motor vehicles will decrease, and a negative list method will be implemented for sales tax.

CM Murad promised assistance for government workers, including a 12% ad hoc relief payment for grades 1–16, a 10% increase for grades 17–22, and an 8% rise in pensions.

He said that the budget is a comprehensive, society-focused, and self-sufficient plan that aims to unlock Sindh’s hidden potential.

He also said that Sindh is ready for a year of change.

Karachi would receive Rs 21 billion for significant development projects in Sindh’s 2025–2026 budget.

In the budget for 2025–26, the Sindh government plans to allocate Rs. 21 billion for major projects aimed at improving Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city.

The budget’s primary objectives are to enhance the city’s infrastructure, education, public transportation, governance, and safety measures.

A significant portion of the budget will be allocated to improving the roads, sewers, and water supply.

The government has allocated Rs 8.8 billion specifically for water supply projects.

In the area of education, 333 elementary schools will undergo renovation, and public schools will be equipped with a digital reporting system.

Twenty primary schools for girls will be improved with the help of Rs. 537 million from JICA.