Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah today presented the provincial budget for the fiscal year 2026-27, planning expenditures of 3.562 trillion rupees while predicting a deficit of 36.9 billion rupees. This financial framework aims to strengthen social security, infrastructure, and the green economy amid inflationary pressures and economic uncertainties.
The budget presented in the Sindh Assembly promises a 7% increase in salaries and pensions, while the minimum wage is set at 43,000 rupees. Notably, no new taxes have been introduced in the financial plan, providing relief to the education, agriculture, insurance, and service sectors. Tax reduction measures include a reduction in sales tax on educational services and a decrease in rates for insurance agents, while the taxable income threshold in the agriculture sector has been increased.
A significant amount of 108.1 billion rupees has been allocated for Karachi’s development projects, focusing on roads, flyovers, underpasses, and traffic management. The commitment to the province’s infrastructure is further highlighted by an annual development program of 520 billion rupees, emphasizing transport, communications, agriculture, and livestock sectors.
The budget also announces the establishment of the “Sindh International Financial Services Center” and the “Sindh Green and Digital Economy Program,” aiming to make Sindh a regional hub for trade, finance, and renewable energy. A key initiative includes an 18 billion rupee solar energy project for the distribution of solar systems among low-income families.
Despite financial challenges, a substantial amount of 400 billion rupees has been allocated for development expenditures, while key sectors such as local government, irrigation, education, and health are receiving notable funding. The transport sector has been allocated 13.2 billion rupees, which includes various mass transit projects.
The budget outlines modern public-private partnership projects, including the “Waste to Value and Circular Economy Program,” which converts municipal waste into energy and industrial fuel. The Chief Minister termed renewable energy as a pillar of growth, including solar financing projects through Sindh Bank and the Sindh Enterprise Development Fund.
Highlighting the achievements of the previous fiscal year, the Chief Minister mentioned progress in health, education, public transport, and law enforcement sectors. Projects like the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases and Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation were praised for their quality services.
In concluding his presentation, Murad Ali Shah stated that the budget represents a commitment to public safety, human development, and building a prosperous future for the citizens of Sindh.