Budgetary neglect

While the recently announced Sindh budget offers some promising steps, several critical areas continue to be overlooked or underfunded, particularly when it comes to Karachi. The allocation for infrastructure development seems inadequate when compared to the scale of the challenges Karachi faces. The city’s roads are in a state of disrepair, drainage systems are outdated and frequent power and water shortages continue to disrupt daily life. Karachi, being Pakistan’s financial and industrial hub, deserves a budget that reflects its contributions and addresses its urgent civic needs.

Public transport also remains a neglected area. Despite repeated promises, mass transit solutions like the Karachi Circular Railway and BRT projects continue to face delays. Without serious investment in reliable public transportation, traffic congestion and pollution will only worsen. There is also little transparency about how funds are distributed and utilised. Citizens deserve to know where their tax money is going and should see real improvements in their neighbourhoods. Regular audits and public updates can go a long way in building trust and accountability.

Fatima Ikram

Karachi