CM Murad: Sindh Pressured Centre for Funds Release

Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, who also manages the finance portfolio, emphasized the Sindh government’s persistent efforts to secure federal funds for a housing scheme during a post-budget press conference.

He credited the success of the housing initiative to PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto. Despite the Sindh government having released Rs 25 billion for the scheme, the federal government has yet to provide its pledged Rs 100 billion. CM Murad expressed disappointment over this delay, highlighting the gap between promises and their fulfillment.

In the 2024-25 budget, CM Murad outlined significant allocations and plans across various sectors:

1. Education: Rs 519 billion has been allocated to bolster the education sector.
2. Employee Salaries: There is a proposed 25% salary increase for employees in BPS-7 to BPS-16, and a 22% increase for officers in BPS-17 to BPS-22. Additionally, pensions for retired employees will increase by 15%.
3. Provincial Schemes: Over 4,000 schemes, including 772 new ones, have been expedited.
4. Sindh Sales Tax (SST): The budget proposes a 2% increase in the standard SST rate while maintaining exemptions and reduced rates. To promote digital transactions, the SST rate for restaurant services with digital payments is proposed to be reduced to 8%. Telecom services will be allowed an input tax credit of up to 18%, reflecting recent changes in federal sales tax rates.
5. Solar Panels: The Sindh government plans to provide free solar panels to 2.6 million households, with a budget of Rs 25 billion over five years aimed at promoting clean energy.
6. Mazdoor Card: Rs 5 billion has been allocated for the Mazdoor Card program to support laborers.
7. Sectoral Allocations: The budget allocates Rs 11 billion for agriculture, Rs 12 billion for social protection, Rs 3.2 billion for universities and boards, Rs 2 billion for housing and town planning, and Rs 1.5 billion for the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPD).

CM Murad Ali Shah stressed that Sindh is not receiving its fair share from the federal government, despite supporting it. The total budget outlay for Sindh is estimated at Rs 3.056 trillion.