KARACHI:
Opposition members, besides complaining that their constituencies were ignored by the government, questioned what happened to the development schemes announced in the last budget.
The Sindh Assembly continued its pre-budget discussion on Tuesday, with members from both the government and opposition participating. The session was chaired by Deputy Speaker Naveed Anthony.
PPP member Qasim Soomro stressed on the need to improve the health pilot program, suggesting the establishment of a chest unit in Nangarparker and two additional health units. He also urged allocating a budget for the water supply line in Thar and providing facilities for heart patients.
MQM’s Ejaz ul Haque criticized the government for neglecting Orangi Town’s development, stating that the city’s development projects have been mere claims. He accused the government of not treating Karachi’s residents as equal citizens.
Provincial Minister Shahina Sher Ali countered the opposition’s criticism, saying that it is being portrayed as if all of Sindh is being run by Karachi. She mentioned the improvements in Karachi’s transportation system and recommended adding more buses. She also shed light on ongoing projects aimed at empowering women.
MQM’s Muzahir Ameer questioned how much of the previous budget’s promises were fulfilled. MQM’s Rana Shaukat Ali said that the biggest problem in his constituency, PS-97, is sewage, the rainwater drain is damaged, and the town administration is doing nothing. He also raised issues with the lack of hospitals and water theft.
MQM’s Sheikh Abdullah said that the previous budget’s proposals were not implemented, and his constituency, Surjani, faces severe water scarcity. PPP’s Adil Altaf Andrabi demanded that schools in Larkana be provided with solar systems in view of the severe weather conditions.
Badin’s representative, Arbab Amanullah, said the district needs a fire brigade and a university. MQM-P’s Naseer Ahmed complained that no development scheme was included in his constituency, Manghopir, and he silently protested by ending his speech abruptly.
MQM’s Bilqis Mukhtar criticized the unfair distribution of powers, saying that all powers are concentrated in the Chief Minister’s House, and Karachi is being neglected despite generating the most revenue. PPP’s Sarfraz Shah said that it has been a long time since Naushahro Feroze became a district, but a district hospital has not been established there yet.
Later, the Sindh Assembly session was adjourned until Wednesday (today).
