Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Monday concluded the budget debate for fiscal year 2025-26 with a wide-ranging speech in the provincial assembly, defending his government’s allocations, criticising the federal government’s financial shortfalls, and unveiling a host of development initiatives.

The chief minister said that Sindh’s development budget stands at approximately 30 per cent of the total budget-higher than Punjab’s 23pc and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s 25.3pc. He noted that Balochistan’s development budget is higher, but that province is also governed by the PPP.

Mr Shah criticised the federal government for revising Sindh’s share from the promised Rs1.9 trillion to Rs1.796tr, causing a shortfall of Rs100 billion. He urged Islamabad to release at least Rs237bn immediately, noting that despite a 13pc increase in federal tax collection, Sindh’s own revenue had grown by 16pc.

He emphasised the need for equitable taxation across urban and rural areas, citing Dadu and Karachi as examples. The chief minister also warned that flawed agricultural tax policies may compel wheat imports this year, and announced a target of Rs8bn from agricultural income tax, based on Rs1,052 per acre-much higher than Punjab’s Rs372 and KP’s Rs57.

Shah said the government aims to achieve 100pc birth registration across the province. He highlighted increased funding for the welfare of people with disabilities and the expansion of autism centres. Cost centres have been established in the education sector to enhance financial oversight.

Nineteen Youth Development Centres are already operational across districts, he added. In the health sector, the Sindh Institute of Child Health now hosts what he claimed to be the largest child emergency network in the world, while a new Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation is under construction in Larkana.

He also announced the procurement of new ambulances and initiatives aimed at supporting fishermen. Financial support for universities and solid waste management has been increased.

On fiscal measures, the CM said government employees’ salaries have been raised by 10-12pc and pensions by 8pc. The government has also abolished professional and entertainment taxes and reduced taxes on various categories of vehicles.

The Annual Development Programme (ADP) for 2025-26 was set at Rs520bn. This includes a Rs55bn District ADP, Rs366.72bn in foreign project assistance, and Rs76.28bn from the federal Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).

Responding to criticism over Karachi’s budget allocations, the CM said out of a total of Rs1,400 billion, Rs 60 billion, representing 4.6%, has been allocated to Karachi, while a total of Rs 254 billion has been earmarked for the city, with the possibility of further increases. However, projects such as Bh

However, he admitted that major infrastructure proposals, such as Bhutto Avenue and the M-9 Link Road, were not included in the budget. Mr Shah noted the financial constraints faced by Karachi and contrasted its lack of fiscal autonomy with other major cities, which retain a greater share of their locally generated revenues.

Addressing what he called a targeted campaign against him, the CM clarified that he manages 45 departments, not just 11 as claimed by some critics. He pointed out that the Punjab CM oversees 14 departments and the Balochistan CM oversees 20.

The CM said he listens to 90pc of assembly speeches and encouraged lawmakers to propose fewer but more impactful development projects. He announced that Sindh was on track to complete 1,460 schemes this year, which would set a provincial record.

On the subject of minimum wage, he said Sindh’s rate currently stands at Rs37,000, and he proposed raising it to Rs42,000-higher than Punjab and KP’s proposals of Rs40,000.

The CM also mentioned a Rs8bn allocation for judicial allowances. Comparing salaries, he noted that a judge earns over Rs2.2 million post-tax, while the speaker of the assembly earns only 10pc of that amount.

Touching on legislative protocol, he said the assembly speaker possesses significant powers, including the authority to remove members, but those powers must be exercised judiciously. Recalling a past instance when he was asked to leave the assembly, Mr Shah said, ‘We do not fear the Speaker’s powers, though it is essential to respect them.’