Sindh increases women development dept’s budget by 32.6pc in its ADP

The Sindh government has increased the budget allocation for the Women Development Department by 32.6 percent in its Annual Development Programme (ADP) for the fiscal year 2025–26, with no new development schemes introduced since the financial year 2022-23.

The last time a new development scheme was introduced in the Women Development Department was in the financial year 2021-22. In 2024–25, the budget allocation for the department was Rs203.6 million, which has been increased to Rs270 million for 2025–26.

According to the official budget documents, the entire allocation for this year is dedicated to ongoing development schemes, with no new schemes introduced.

A total of seven schemes are currently in progress under the department. The throw-forward amount, which represents the financial obligations carried into future years, stands at Rs512.388 million. Of the Rs270 million allocated for the current fiscal year, Rs41.195 million has been designated for capital expenditure, while Rs228.805 million is earmarked for revenue expenditure. No funds have been allocated under the Foreign Project Assistance (FPA) component.

Among the ongoing schemes, the Women Development Complex at Sukkur has a total estimated cost of Rs210.307 million. As of June 2024, Rs199.940 million had already been spent. An additional Rs10.367 million has been allocated for this scheme for the current year. Its financial progress is marked at 95% and is expected to reach full completion by June 2026.

The second scheme, the Establishment of the Women Development Complex at Karachi (East), carries a total cost of Rs244.275 million, with only Rs15.624 million spent so far. The allocation for 2025–26 stands at Rs41.195 million. The project is progressing slowly, with financial completion expected to rise from 11% to 28% by the end of the fiscal year.

A Japan International Cooperation Agency-assisted project focused on improving the livelihood and well-being of female home-based workers (FHBWs) in the informal sector of Sindh, covering Karachi, Sukkur, Shikarpur, and Khairpur, has a total cost of Rs105.357 million. With Rs19.714 million already utilised, it has received a Rs20 million revenue allocation this year, aiming to increase financial progress from 19 percent to 38 percent by June 2026.

Another major initiative is the Establishment and Strengthening of Darul Aman facilities in Mirpurkhas and Jacobabad. This scheme has a cost of Rs186.694 million, out of which Rs154.680 million has already been spent. For the current year, it has received Rs32.014 million in revenue funding. The scheme is nearing completion, with 83 percent of the work done and full completion expected within the fiscal year.

The fifth scheme involves the repair and improvement of services at Darul Aman Sukkur, with a total cost of Rs30 million. So far, Rs14.160 million has been utilised, and Rs15.840 million has been allocated for 2025–26 to complete the remaining work. The financial progress is currently at 47 percent and is expected to reach 100 percent by the end of the fiscal year.

Lastly, the scheme titled “E-Commerce and Opportunities for Women in Sindh,” with a cost of Rs96 million, had seen no expenditure since the financial year 2021-22, when it was first introduced in the year 2021-22. The entire Rs96 million has now been reallocated in the current budget cycle, with the department aiming for full implementation and 100 percent financial progress by June 2026.

The provincial Women Development Department’s focus this year remains on consolidating and completing existing initiatives, particularly in the areas of women’s economic empowerment, shelter services, and skill development across the province.