The Sindh Assembly on Thursday passed the provincial budget for the fiscal year 2024-25 (FY25) without any votes in favour from the opposition, which vehemently rejected it, causing commotion during the budget session.
The budget, with a staggering total outlay of Rs3.056 trillion, includes recommendations for developmental expenditures totaling Rs959 billion.
The finance bill, crucial for outlining the financial framework for the upcoming year, was moved and approved with a majority vote despite strong disapproval from the angry opposition members, as all of their proposals were rejected.
As a result of this thumbs-down treatment from the ruling alliance, opposition lawmakers stood up from their benches, ripped up copies of the Finance Bill, and stormed out of the assembly hall.
During the assembly session chaired by Speaker Syed Owais Qadir Shah, opposition members presented a large number of cut motions against various budgetary demands, all of which were shot down by the treasury benches.
Sindh anticipates revenues of Rs3 trillion according to budgetary projections, with 62% expected to come from federal transfers and 22% from provincial receipts.
The provincial assembly has also greenlit Rs142.5 billion for public sector investments.
Opposition lawmakers had also been demanding that the bill be approved in a phased manner.
On Thursday, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah concluded the debate on the provincial budget for 2024-25, highlighting the provincial government’s priorities, upcoming projects, and the economic, political, and social situation of the province.
A total of 131 members from both sides of the aisle in the 168-member House participated in the discussion on the provincial budget, which took place in a congenial atmosphere.
