HYDERABAD: Senior Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Syed Naveed Qamar has dismissed claims that funds from the Sindh provincial budget are being diverted to development schemes in Multan and Gilgit.
Speaking to journalists in Tando Mohammad Khan on Tuesday, the former federal minister clarified that the expenditure comes from a specific “block allocation” under the PPP chairman, which constitutes a fraction of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) funds allocated to each party parliamentarian.
Mr Qamar explained that every member of the National Assembly (MNA) contributes a portion of their constituency budget to the party leader’s central pool, noting that a similar arrangement exists for the prime minister. Because the PPP does not have elected MNAs in every district, these pooled federal funds are redistributed to finance development projects across the country.
“Since these are federal funds, public reservations are unnecessary,” Mr Qamar stated, adding that federal resources can legally be deployed anywhere in Pakistan. He maintained that the figures had been “misquoted” by certain members on the floor of the Sindh Assembly.
Turning his attention to political rivals, Mr Qamar remarked that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) needs to learn from its past mistakes. He emphasised that regional dynamics have completely changed, and no political entity can any longer fan the flames of ethnic hatred between Sindhi and Urdu speakers.
NFC Award and inflation
The senior PPP leader also disclosed that the federal government is reconsidering the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award following formal pleadings by the Sindh administration. However, he warned that if the federal authorities fail to address the PPP’s core grievances, the party will raise the issue again.
Mr Qamar criticised the current federal budget for failing to provide relief to the ordinary citizen, stressing that the government must address the PPP’s reservations to ensure meaningful economic relief in the next fiscal cycle.
On international affairs, he noted that while a wider conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran had been averted, regional tensions persist. He claimed Pakistan’s foreign policy had achieved “100 per cent success” in helping de-escalate the crisis, reiterating that Islamabad has never supported or participated in foreign wars. He added that the PPP stands firmly aligned with all national political forces and the military on key security fronts.
Published in Dawn, July 1st, 2026