PPP Leader Mohammad Sadiq Umrani Criticizes Federal Budget for Ignoring Balochistan’s Needs

QUETTA – Provincial Minister for Irrigation and Parliamentary Leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Mir Mohammad Sadiq Umrani, has strongly criticized the federal budget for completely neglecting the needs of Balochistan. He highlighted that the agricultural areas of the province, especially irrigation and agriculture, have been ignored in the federal budget, which will prevent any improvement in the region’s economic indicators.

In a statement, Mir Sadiq Umrani expressed concern that despite the proposals put forward by the Chief Minister and provincial departments, none of the proposed projects were included in the federal Public Sector Development Program (PSDP). He emphasized that such a lack of attention to Balochistan’s developmental needs will hinder the progress of the province.

He stated that for the removal of the sense of deprivation in Balochistan, it is essential for the federal government to launch projects that bring about both economic and social improvements. Despite the federal government’s claims of prioritizing Balochistan, he expressed disappointment that the province was ignored in the budget.

“Only a few areas of Balochistan were given priority in the budget, whereas the entire province requires balanced attention,” he said. He added that the budget does not adequately address measures for eliminating the sense of deprivation.

Mir Sadiq Umrani particularly criticized the absence of any projects for the Naseerabad Division, an area critical for the province’s agriculture and irrigation. He termed the omission of the division, which has a population of over 700,000, as unjust.

He also pointed out that improving the canal irrigation system for job creation in the province should have been a priority, but no attention is being given to this critical sector.

Umrani further lamented that the projects proposed by the Chief Minister and provincial departments were not included in the federal PSDP. He urged that, instead of focusing solely on road infrastructure, other vital sectors should also have been given priority in the federal budget.