Sindh Assembly Passes Rs3.45 Trillion Budget for FY26 Amidst Unprecedented Harmony
Karachi, Pakistan – June 26, 2025 – The Sindh Assembly today approved a provincial budget of Rs3.45 trillion (approximately $12.3 billion USD) for the fiscal year 2025-26, marking a 12.9% increase in expenditure from the previous year.The passage of the budget, alongside the Sindh finance Bill, was notable for the surprising level of cooperation between government and opposition members.This fiscal plan,presented by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah,aims to promote “inclusive growth,equity and efficiency” within the province [[source]].the budget includes an ambitious set of relief measures, details of which are expected to be released shortly.
Historic Cut Motion from Treasury Benches
In an unprecedented move, a cut motion – traditionally the domain of the opposition – was introduced by a member of the treasury, questioning a planned hike in salaries for judicial staff. The motion sought a reduction of Rs8 billion from the allocated funds. while ultimately rejected, this action signals a potential shift in budgetary scrutiny within the Sindh Assembly [[source]].
Cross-Party Praise and Optimism
The budget received generally positive feedback from across the political spectrum. Opposition leader Ali Khurshidi expressed hope that the government would address its shortcomings in the future.Muhammad Farooq of Jamaat-i-Islami commended the democratic process and the Chief Minister’s willingness to listen to criticism. Shabbir Qureshi, representing the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf-backed Sunni Ittehad Council, expressed optimism that a “new era of progress” would begin in Sindh [[source]].
Budgetary Process Details
The assembly debated expenditures charged to the provincial consolidation fund and reviewed demands for grants. A total of 188 demands were presented, facing 2002 cut motions from the opposition – all of which were ultimately rejected by majority vote. Speaker Syed Awais Shah streamlined the process by clubbing together identical cut motions [[source]].
About Sindh:
Sindh is one of Pakistan’s four provinces, located in the lower reaches of the Indus River [[1]]. It is home to nearly 50 million peopel, with approximately 16 million residing in the capital city of Karachi [[1]]. The province is historically significant, with the name “Sindh” derived from the Sanskrit word for the Indus River, “Sindhu” [[2]]. Historically, Sindh was a state ruled by Beluchistan Amirs, nominally vassals of Afghanistan [[3]].
CTA: Stay tuned to world-today-news.com for further analysis of the Sindh budget and its potential impact on the province’s economy and citizens.
