Karachi: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, who also serves as the provincial finance minister, presented a Rs3.56 trillion budget for the fiscal year 2026–27 in the Sindh Assembly on Wednesday.
The budget session witnessed disruptions earlier when members of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) staged a protest inside the house. MQM MPA Ali Khurshidi stated that the party decided to boycott the proceedings, alleging that the opposition had not been taken into confidence before the budget presentation.
Presenting the budget, CM Murad Ali Shah said the government’s key focus for the upcoming fiscal year is to maintain fiscal discipline, strengthen the province’s financial position, and continue development activities despite challenging economic conditions.
For development expenditure, the Sindh government has proposed an allocation of Rs720.39 billion.
Sector-wise, Rs402 billion has been earmarked for health, Rs185 billion for transport and communication infrastructure, Rs103 billion for irrigation, Rs49 billion for sanitation, and Rs347.6 billion for local government services and public service delivery.
To ensure law and order, Rs222 billion has been proposed for security-related spending in the next fiscal year.
Referring to the Gul Plaza fire incident, the chief minister announced that a relief package worth Rs8.45 billion had already been approved. This includes compensation of Rs10 million for the families of each person who lost their life in the tragedy.
In the agriculture, livestock, and fisheries sector, Rs72.8 billion has been allocated, while Rs84 billion has been proposed for energy, climate change, and environmental initiatives.
For social development, Rs3.5 billion has been reserved for minorities and women-focused programs, which the chief minister said will not be subjected to cuts. Additionally, Rs22.8 billion has been allocated for persons with disabilities, and Rs26.4 billion for broader social protection schemes.
CM Murad Ali Shah said every allocation in the budget has been carefully designed to ensure maximum social and economic benefit for the people of Sindh. He described the budget as a balanced and strategic plan aimed at improving infrastructure, human development, connectivity, water resource management, and long-term economic growth.
The provincial government has also proposed reducing sales tax on education support services to 5 percent, while the tax rate on insurance agents and brokers is proposed to be lowered from 5 percent to between 2 and 3 percent.
Earlier, the chief minister chaired a cabinet meeting where the Sindh Budget 2026–27 was approved. The meeting was attended by provincial ministers, advisers, special assistants, the chief secretary, administrative secretaries, and senior officials.
The cabinet reiterated its commitment to inclusive development, poverty reduction, and public welfare across the province.
According to an official statement, the budget also includes special initiatives to enhance workers’ welfare, including an increase in the minimum wage on the direction of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
CM Murad Ali Shah reaffirmed that the government remains committed to serving the people of Sindh and will further strengthen its development efforts in the coming fiscal year.
