Karachi: A high-level meeting led by Sindh’s Minister for Planning, Development, and Energy, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, has proposed a Rs.160 billion allocation for fiscal year 2025-26. This budget is earmarked for 1,168 development schemes spanning 10 provincial departments, with a focus on prioritizing ongoing projects over new initiatives.

The departments set to benefit from this allocation include Works and Services (inclusive of the Prison Department), Home Department, Agriculture, Supply and Prices, Livestock and Fisheries, Culture, Tourism, Antiquities and Archives, Sports and Youth Affairs, Services, General Administration and Coordination, Industries and Commerce, Investment, Energy, and Planning and Development.

Minister Shah underscored the importance of aligning development schemes with the guidelines of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and the Chief Minister Sindh. He highlighted the Chairman’s instructions to ensure that development efforts are inclusive, providing equal opportunities for all communities and regions.

The budget breakdown reveals that the Works and Services Department, including Prisons, is set to receive the largest share with Rs.80 billion allocated for 675 schemes. Other notable allocations include Rs.9.7 billion for Agriculture, Supply and Prices, Rs.4.9 billion for Livestock and Fisheries, and Rs.6.5 billion for Sports and Youth Affairs.

The meeting, attended by ministers, secretaries, senior officials, and Planning and Development Board Chairman Najam Ahmed Shah, emphasized the strategic importance of continuing existing development projects to ensure the efficient use of resources.

The proposed allocations reflect a strategic focus on development, aiming to bolster the province’s infrastructure and community services, in line with leadership directives for equitable growth.