Ahmed Khan Malik

The Sindh government has launched an ambitious infrastructure development agenda for the fiscal year 2025-26, focusing on socioeconomic uplift and alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The provincial government has issued comprehensive guidelines to the relevant departments for the Annual Development Programme (ADP), emphasising strategic planning for infrastructure development projects. The provincial government wants to include new infrastructure development projects in the next fiscal year, as it only allocated funds for ongoing projects in the previous budget. Officials from the Planning Department told WealthPK that infrastructure development is the hallmark of the budget exercises, aiming at the socioeconomic uplift of the people.

“The infrastructure development projects under consideration will be included in the budget for the next fiscal,” Shaukat Narejo, Director of the Planning Department, told WealthPK. However, he said that it is premature to disclose the names of the projects to be made part of the budget. “One thing is for sure that infrastructure development projects would receive major funding in the next budget,” he said.

About the key priorities in the next budget, he said that building upon the current ADP for 2024-25, which allocated Rs959 billion for development expenditures — a 30% increase from the previous year — the upcoming fiscal plan aims to continue this momentum. “The focus remains on restoring infrastructure damaged during the catastrophic floods of 2022, with significant investments in resilient infrastructure, healthcare, education, and climate-smart initiatives in agriculture and irrigation,” he said.

Narejo also pointed out that Karachi will receive special focus in terms of infrastructure development. He said that a substantial portion of the development budget was earmarked for Karachi, with Rs75.63 billion approved for 162 development projects in the current fiscal budget. “These projects are part of a broader Rs187.3 billion development portfolio for the city, aiming to address urban infrastructure needs and improve public services.”

He said that to ensure effective implementation, the chief minister has directed the departments concerned to complete the approval process for new projects as soon as possible. “A substantial part of development budget is to be allocated to ongoing schemes, maintaining financial discipline and avoiding cost escalations. Departments are also encouraged to explore public-private partnerships (PPPs) to alleviate financial constraints and promote sustainable development,” he added.

Narejo said that the water and sanitation sector would be receiving huge funding, which is Rs71.959 billion in the current fiscal. “Likewise, the allocation for the transport and communication sector would be raised from the present Rs60.40 billion, and irrigation and agriculture would also see major allocation compared to Rs30.09 billion set aside for irrigation projects, including canal lining, and Rs6.633 billion for agriculture and livestock development in current fiscal.”

He believed that Sindh’s infrastructure development plan for 2025-26 will reflect a comprehensive approach to rebuilding and enhancing the province’s resilience. “By prioritising critical sectors and ensuring strategic planning, the government aims to foster sustainable growth and improve the quality of life for its citizens,” he added.

Credit: INP-WealthPk