KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly’s post-budget debate remained heated on its fifth day on Friday as opposition members voiced strong reservations over the provincial budget while treasury members defended it as “people-friendly.”

In an intense discussion, the opposition members focused on issues such as inadequate healthcare facilities, poor road infrastructure and an acute shortage of water, particularly in Karachi. Meanwhile, treasury members highlighted the achievements of the provincial government.

Members from both sides of the aisle criticised each other during their respective budget speeches, which prompted Acting Speaker Anthony Naveed to repeatedly remind them to speak only on the budget and avoid irrelevant remarks.

Lawmakers also disrupted rival speeches by hurling jibes and taunts and attempting to distract the speakers.

The highly tense atmosphere in the house quickly subsided when Agriculture Minister Sardar Muhammad Mahar Khan rose to speak.

The young minister spoke eloquently for an hour and received applause from opposition members as well.

He highlighted key initiatives and achievements in various sectors, including health, education, road infrastructure, environment and agriculture and emphasised administrative and structural reforms to improve the efficiency of provincial departments.

However, the minister expressed his reservations about the increase in agriculture tax. He said that its impact on farmers should have been considered before implementation.

He also advocated for a support price on wheat and questioned how tax could be paid if there were no crops. “You are discouraging farmers by imposing heavy taxes, which would lead to food insecurity,” he said.

Provincial Minister Ali Hassan Zardari said the government had developed a road network across the province and included 48 new schemes in the upcoming budget.

Provincial Minister for Industries Jam Ikram Dharejo described the budget as balanced and criticised the federal government for the ongoing gas shortage in Sindh. He said that the province had the foremost right to gas under the Constitution.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan’s (MQM-P) Abdul Waseem said some buses had arrived in Karachi due to Transport Minister Sharjeel Memon’s efforts but they were insufficient. “The city needs at least 1,000 buses,” he added.

Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) member Muhammad Farooq slammed the government for the acute water shortage in Karachi. Mr Farooq said the city’s roads were in a dilapidated condition and that all of District Central had been dug up. He called for a proper mass transit system, including metro trains.

Former speaker Agha Siraj Durrani criticised the Governor House administration for denying access to Acting Governor and Speaker Owais Qadir Shah and called it a disrespect to the speaker’s office.

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar, presenting the government’s position, said that Speaker Owais Qadir Shah had served as acting governor for the past twenty-two days but was not allowed to stay in the Governor House.

The house later was adjourned until Saturday.

Published in Dawn, June 21th, 2025