Sindh’s Rs3.56 trillion budget for 2026-27 deserves credit. At a time when households across the province are squeezed by inflation and energy costs, a budget with no new taxes, a seven per cent raise in salaries and pensions and a higher minimum wage of Rs43,000 sends a welcome signal that the provincial government is listening to ordinary citizens rather than merely balancing ledgers. Yet the province has had to trim its development outlay after contributing to federal commitments. Relief financed by reduced development spending is, in effect, relief borrowed against the future infrastructure, schools, hospitals and water projects that a growing and young population will need. Therefore, the provincial assembly should press the finance department for quarterly public disclosure of how development funds are actually utilised. Real relief must be matched by real accountability.
Nofel Shahbaz
Islamabad
