Murad orders finalising next ADP with new schemes

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has begun budget meetings to finalise the development proposals and their allocations for the next financial year, and has also made significant decisions by launching an austerity drive to conserve funds for development initiatives.

In this regard, two separate meetings of the provincial government’s finance and planning & development (P&D) departments were held at the CM House on Wednesday. During the P&D department’s meeting, Shah ordered finalising the Annual Development Programme (ADP), stressing that the rehabilitation of flood-damaged infrastructure must be prioritised in the upcoming budget. He also ordered that canal and watercourse lining projects be included in the new development schemes.

Highlighting the importance of agricultural growth, he called for projects that focus on improving agricultural output and productivity. “It is time to pay special attention to the agriculture sector.”

He reiterated the government’s ongoing commitment to the health sector, emphasising the need to enhance healthcare facilities across the province. Regarding education, he stressed the urgency of upgrading government-run primary schools to elementary level, and giving focused attention to both formal and non-formal education systems.

He also ordered that multiple schemes be introduced for technical and higher education, and called for projects that promote sports and healthy activities for youth. The meeting marked a major step in shaping the government’s priorities for the next fiscal year, focusing on rebuilding infrastructure, boosting agriculture, improving health care and education, and supporting youth development.

During the finance department’s meeting, the CM emphasised the need to reduce non-development expenditures while increasing allocations for development projects. He highlighted the government’s efforts to enhance financial resources, and expressed optimism that provincial tax collection agencies would meet their targets.

The main projects identified for accelerated funding in the new fiscal year include the K-IV water supply project, the Shahrah-e-Bhutto expressway, and the ongoing transport schemes in Karachi. The Shahrah-e-Bhutto project, a 38.75km expressway, is seen as a transformative initiative aimed at improving urban connectivity and reducing vehicular congestion.

Shah also called for the introduction of new schemes to expand the ADP, and stressed the importance of fiscal prudence. He advocated for cost-saving measures to ensure that savings are redirected towards development activities.

The meeting set the stage for the government’s budget for the financial year 2025-26, reflecting a commitment to balanced fiscal management and strategic investment in infrastructure and public services.