KARACHI – The Sindh government will present a budget with a volume exceeding Rs3 trillion for fiscal year 2024-25 following the federal and Punjab budgets.
In Sindh’s budget, there is a possibility of a 20-25% increase in salaries for government employees and a 15% increase in pensions.
The minimum wage is expected to be aligned with the federal and Punjab levels, and the province’s development budget is expected to exceed 900 billion rupees.
The budget would include 12 billion rupees for Karachi mega schemes, and instead of new schemes, a new portfolio will be introduced in the provincial development program.
The target for provincial revenue collection will be increased, and there is a proposal to adjust various tax rates.
The provincial government has decided to reduce vehicle purchases in the upcoming fiscal year.
Austerity policies will also be adopted for the purchase of furniture and other items. To reduce expenses, proposals include promoting video conference meetings to decrease official foreign trips.
On the other hand, amid the opposition’s uproar yesterday, Punjab’s tax-free budget of 5 trillion 446 billion rupees was presented. The total estimated revenue is 4 trillion 643 billion 40 crores, with 3 trillion 683 billion 10 crores expected from the federal government under the NFC award.
The provincial revenue is estimated at 960 billion 30 crores, which is 54% more than the previous year. The new budget does not introduce any new taxes nor increase the rates of existing taxes. Funds of 842 billion rupees have been approved for development projects.
In Punjab’s budget, there is a decision to increase salaries by 20-25% and pensions by 15%, while the minimum wage is proposed to be increased from Rs32,000 to Rs37,000. Punjab has announced free solar supply for those using up to 100 units of electricity.
Rs30 billion have been allocated for the farmers’ tractor scheme, 10 billion rupees for the “Apna Ghar Apni Chhat” program, and Rs2 billion for the “Nigehbaan Card.” The Chief Minister’s “Roshan Gharana” program has been allocated 9 billion 50 crores, and 10 billion rupees have been proposed for the laptop scheme.
