Tensions Rise Between Sindh and Federal Government Over Budget Allocation

Islamabad: Tensions have escalated between the Sindh provincial government and the federal government over budgetary issues, with Sindh accusing the federal government of treating it like a colony. The issue came to light during a meeting of the Senate’s Standing Committee on Planning and Development, which was chaired by Senator Qurat ul Ain Mari.
The committee strongly rejected the statement made by Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal and expressed serious concerns over the distribution of Public Works Department (PWD) projects. The committee condemned the federal government’s decision not to allocate these projects to Sindh, despite a prior agreement and decisions made at the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting, where it was decided that PWD projects would be assigned to the provinces.
Chairperson Senator Qurat ul Ain Mari questioned why Sindh was being treated differently. “Why is Sindh being treated as a colony by the federal government? Why is it that only other provinces are receiving these projects, and Sindh is being left out?” she said.
Sindh’s Chief Minister, Murad Ali Shah, had earlier raised concerns about the matter, noting that PWD projects were supposed to be distributed among all provinces equally. The committee emphasized that all provinces should be treated fairly, with equal distribution of projects, and that the federal government’s actions regarding Sindh were unjust.
Senator Shahdat Awan also voiced his concerns, emphasizing that promises made to Sindh regarding the fair distribution of resources must be honored.
The committee directed the Secretary of Planning and Development to convey these concerns to the Federal Minister, and it recommended that, like other provinces, Sindh should also be allocated PWD projects. The members made it clear that the federal government’s current stance was unacceptable and demanded equal treatment for all provinces.