Opposition rejects budget

MQM-P, PTI lawmakers point out dilapidated state of schools, water supply issues

KARACHI:

The Sindh Assembly continued the debate on the provincial budget for the next financial year for the second day, with MPAs from both sides of the aisle participating vociferously.

Ruma Mushtaq of the PPP highlighted the need to increase job quotas for minorities and transgenders.

Rehan Rajput of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) criticised the Sindh Revenue Board for allegedly failing to provide 20% of the collection. He questioned where the money meant for the people of Sindh was going and demanded transparency.

Makhdoom Fakhruz Zaman of PPP called for the completion of projects at Makhdoom Talib-ul-Mula Medical College and Bhit Shah High School.

Jamal Siddiqui of MQM-Pakistan raised the longstanding issue of water supply in his constituency, Khawaja Ajmer Nagri, noting that water is available only for 56 hours after every nine days in North Karachi. He also complained that the Water Board MD never answers calls. PPP's Sajeela Laghari suggested providing free notebooks to students along with textbooks in schools.

Fauzia Hameed of MQM-Pakistan criticised the disparity in tax collection, noting that while sales tax is collected from urban populations, agricultural tax is not collected in rural areas. She also claimed that the Muhajir community faces injustices in the health sector while referring to the halted work at Landhi Medical College, contrasting it with the functional Lyari Medical College.

Muhammad Ali of SIC expressed frustration that no schemes for his constituency were included in the budget and referred to the lack of water supply in Awami Colony, Bilal Colony, and Mehran Town.

Farhan Ansari of MQM-Pakistan described the dilapidated condition of roads in his constituency, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, and lamented the poor state of an area populated by educated residents who pay taxes.

PPP's Hari Ram called for the operation of Left Bank Outfall Drain (LBOD) and Right Bank Outfall Drain (RBOD) tube wells on solar power.

PPP's Taj Mohammad Mallah urged the establishment of a medical college in Badin, the restoration of old routes of the Indus River, and the introduction of the Peoples Bus Service in Badin.

Shariq Jamal of MQM-Pakistan criticised the state of schools in PS 90, where students reportedly sit in the street to conduct exams. He condemned the lack of improvement in Sindh over the last 16 years and rejected the budget as a joke on the people of Sindh.

Qura-ul-Ain of MQM-Pakistan highlighted the long-pending college and sports complex projects in Landhi.

Faheem Ahmed of MQM-Pakistan accused the Sindh Assembly of being divided into two sections: one that generates 95% of the budget but has no authority, and another that spends the entire budget and enjoys its benefits. He pointed out that Baldia Town receives only six hours of water supply annually and is plagued with garbage and drug issues around schools.