Sindh’s 1,812 uplift schemes likely to be completed this year, CM told

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Wednesday presided over a joint meeting with officials of the finance department and the planning & development (P&D) department to firm up proposals for the upcoming financial year’s provincial budget.

“Despite today being an official holiday, we have convened this meeting of the P&D and finance departments,” said Shah, adding that the purpose of the meeting was to finalise the upcoming fiscal year’s budget.

“I want most of the proposals to be finalised before Eidul Azha,” he said, and announced that more meetings would be convened soon to finalise the proposals. “The upcoming budget must be made in the interest of the public.”

P&D Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah said that out of the 4,644 ongoing development schemes in Sindh, 1,812 are expected to be completed this year. The CM directed the officials concerned to immediately release funds for the development schemes nearing completion.

The P&D minister said that various provincial government departments have proposed new schemes for the next fiscal year, many of which have been suggested to be executed at local level. The CM instructed the relevant departments to shortlist the fresh proposals for development schemes, and present them in the next meeting.

“We will review funding in a separate meeting, and finalise the new schemes accordingly,” he said, adding that during 2023-24 the government had initiated 1,937 new development schemes worth Rs88.3 billion. “Most of those 1,937 schemes will be completed now.”

He concluded that the provincial revenue figures would become clearer during the first week of June, and that the budget proposals would be finalised accordingly.

Women’s health

In his message in connection with International Day of Action for Women’s Health, the CM reaffirmed his government’s commitment to improving women’s health across the province.

“This day serves as a reminder to highlight the health challenges women face, and to encourage effective and sustained action to address them. A healthy woman is the foundation of a healthy society.”

He emphasised that his government has launched multiple programmes aimed at enhancing women’s health. “A comprehensive maternal and child health programme is under way across the province to safeguard the lives of mothers and newborns by providing them with essential healthcare services.”

He highlighted that 23,185 lady health workers have been deployed throughout Sindh to deliver healthcare services directly to women at the doorstep. He also pointed out the success of the National Health Support Programme, which is being implemented with the support of the World Bank.

He pointed out that this programme primarily focuses on improving care for pregnant women, mothers and newborn babies in order to ensure better health outcomes.

“The efforts of the Sindh government are proving to be a milestone in the journey towards safeguarding women’s health, security and well-being,” he concluded, reiterating his government’s resolve to continue prioritising women’s health and empowerment for a stronger, healthier society.