President of PPP Sindh, Nisar Khuhro, emphasized the need for a new NFC (National Finance Commission) Award, which has not been issued since 2010. Speaking during the budget discussion, Khuhro highlighted that the NFC Award should be renewed every five years to ensure fair distribution of resources. He criticized the past government for declaring the federal treasury bankrupt due to NFC issues, stressing that strong provinces lead to a strong federation.
Khuhro noted that if a new NFC Award were given, the share of provinces would increase. He called on the federal government to establish an NFC committee for this purpose. Khuhro expressed regret that the caretaker federal government froze funds for Sindh’s approved development projects, halting progress. He emphasized the need for improvement in both rural and urban areas of Sindh, mentioning that although 900 billion rupees have been allocated for provincial development, the federal government must ensure no cuts in these funds. Discussing other local issues, Khuhro pointed out the problem of ghost employees in local government and councils, similar to the past issue with teachers. He urged for the resumption of water supply schemes to ensure sweet water reaches every household in Sindh. He also called for the desilting of drains and attention to the RBOD (Right Bank Outfall Drain) to manage floods effectively. The damage to Sukkur Barrage gates has impacted water supply to crops, a critical issue that needs addressing.
Khuhro proposed transforming villages and informal settlements in Sindh by granting property rights to residents. He highlighted the need for additional classrooms in schools to accommodate increased enrollment. Touching upon past opposition to the Kalabagh Dam, Khuhro reiterated that it was due to concerns for Karachi and Sindh. He warned that controlling water resources while ignoring Sindh’s issues is akin to threatening livelihoods. He urged the issue of Kalabagh Dam to remain buried. Khuhro stated that due to water shortages, millions of acres of land in Sindh have become barren.
