Budget debate focuses on govt's performance

The Sindh Assembly continued its debate on the provincial budget for the fifth consecutive day on Saturday. The session, chaired by Deputy Speaker Anthony Naveed, focused on the government's ongoing efforts to improve public services, uplift living standards, and address core issues across the province.

Sindh Health Minister Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho shared her department's performance in detail. She highlighted that 19 chest pain units are currently operating in Karachi. She also announced plans to procure CT scan and MRI machines and improve ICU facilities in public hospitals.

The minister dismissed rumors that Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) has been handed over to any NGO. MQM-Pakistan MPA Iftikhar Alam criticised the Sindh government, claiming discriminatory treatment towards Karachi. He questioned the necessity of the billion-rupee Karimabad underpass.

He demanded a district-level revenue distribution formula similar to the NFC Award. Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Shah criticised the federal government's economic survey, alleging that outdated data was used to misrepresent Sindh's performance.

Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar outlined various initiatives taken to improve law and order in the province. He mentioned a noticeable decline in several categories of crime compared to previous years.

According to the minister, 7,441 mobile phones were snatched in the past year, but the frequency of such incidents has dropped.