KARACHI: Amid vociferous protests from opposition lawmakers, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Friday unveiled a Rs3.451 trillion deficit budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 — marking a 12.9% increase over last year’s outlay of Rs3.056 trillion.
The budget includes a 12% salary increase for government employees in grades BS-1 to BS-16, a 10% raise for officers in BS-17 to BS-22, and an 8% hike in pensions. Lawmakers’ salaries are also set to align with those of other provincial assemblies starting July.
Presenting what he termed a “relief-oriented” Finance Bill, Shah announced the abolition of several taxes and levies, including professional tax, entertainment duty, drainage cess, cotton fees, and local cess.
Key allocations include Rs523.7 billion for education — a 12.4% rise from last year — comprising 25.3% of total revenue expenditure. Total projected receipts stand at Rs3.41 trillion, with Rs2.095 trillion expected from federal transfers.
Opposition lawmakers from MQM-P and PTI-backed SIC protested during the address over the denial of a resolution against Israel’s attack on Iran. Despite the disruption, Shah completed his speech and later tabled the resolution, which was unanimously adopted. The session was adjourned until Monday.
Story by Tahir Siddiqui
