Karachi business leaders call federal, Sindh budgets biased

KARACHI: Chairperson of the Businessmen Group (BMG) Zubair Motiwala and President of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Muhammad Jawed Bilwani have strongly criticised the Federal and Sindh Budgets for FY2025-26, calling them deeply disappointing and discriminatory towards Karachi -- the economic hub of the country.

In a joint statement, the KCCI leadership expressed serious concern over the continued neglect and repeated denial of essential development funds for both Karachi and Sindh. They particularly condemned the gross underfunding of the Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway -- a strategic infrastructure project vital for regional economic connectivity. Despite the project’s total cost exceeding Rs400 billion, only Rs15 billion has been allocated in the federal budget, which they said reflects a clear disregard for Sindh’s development priorities. Karachi, as Pakistan’s commercial capital, stands to benefit significantly from the project’s completion.

Similarly, they criticised the federal government’s lack of commitment to the long-delayed K-IV Water Supply Project, a critical initiative for water-deprived Karachi. Despite repeated assurances, including from the prime minister, the centre has allocated a mere Rs3.2 billion against the required Rs150 billion. This allocation, they said, is not only inadequate but also casts doubt on the government’s sincerity in resolving Karachi’s water crisis.

The KCCI leadership also voiced disappointment with Sindh’s budget, expressing that the provincial government, too, had failed to meet Karachi’s urgent needs. Only Rs100 million has been earmarked for the K-IV project and Rs15 billion for the Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway -- figures they described as symbolic and insufficient for meaningful progress. Alarmingly, this marks the third consecutive year without the announcement of any new mega development project for Karachi.

The Rs8 billion allocated for the continuation of older projects is seen as a token gesture, with most schemes moving at a sluggish pace.