The Senate Planning and Development Committee convened a critical meeting recently, during which members voiced strong concerns over the federal government’s alleged discriminatory practices towards Sindh in the allocation and implementation of development projects. The session, which was primarily held to review the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) for the upcoming fiscal year, witnessed a heated debate between federal ministry officials and Sindh’s political representatives.
Persistent Disparities in Federal Allocation
The chairperson of the committee, Senator Quratul Ain Marri, did not hold back in her criticism, questioning the logic and fairness behind the federal government’s approach. She pointed out that the budgetary allocations for Sindh seemed significantly lower compared to other provinces, a situation she termed as “treating Sindh like a colony.” Her statement resonated with many in the room, especially those who felt that Sindh has long been marginalized in national development planning.
Senator Marri also emphasized that the National Economic Council (NEC) had previously decided to devolve all projects managed by the erstwhile Public Works Department (PWD) to the respective provinces. Yet, she claimed, this decision was not being uniformly implemented in Sindh, while other provinces had seen smoother transitions.
Concerns from the Sindh Chief Minister
Reinforcing Senator Marri’s stance, the committee highlighted that Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah had also expressed serious reservations regarding the federal government’s implementation of the NEC’s decisions. The failure to hand over Pak PWD projects to the Sindh government has been a recurring issue, causing frustration within the provincial administration.
The Ministry of Housing and Works was specifically targeted during the session. Senator Marri questioned why these projects remained under federal control in Sindh, whereas in other provinces, similar projects had been delegated to local governments without much dispute.
Urban-Rural Divide: A Controversial Distinction
During the meeting, officials from the Ministry of Housing presented a controversial proposal. They suggested that projects located in urban areas of Sindh would remain under federal oversight, while those in rural areas would be handed over to the provincial government. This proposal, however, was swiftly rejected by Sindh’s representatives.
Senator Marri strongly opposed this urban-rural distinction, questioning whether such categorization existed in other provinces. To this, ministry officials had to admit that no such differentiation had been made elsewhere, thereby reinforcing accusations of unequal treatment.
Senate Committee Demands Uniform Policy
In response to these disparities, the Senate Planning and Development Committee made several important recommendations. Chief among them was the demand to hand over all federal development projects in Sindh to the provincial government without distinction. The committee further stressed the need for a uniform national policy that applies equally to all provinces.
The committee also directed the secretary of the Ministry of Planning and Development to escalate the matter to Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal. The members insisted that their concerns be taken seriously and acted upon, as continued discrimination could further alienate provinces and deepen political divisions.
Expo Center Controversy in Quetta
In addition to Sindh-related issues, the committee also addressed concerns surrounding the Expo Center project in Quetta. It was revealed that Rs300 million had already been spent on the project, but construction had come to a halt due to the relocation of the project site.
Officials from the Commerce Division explained that the decision to change the location was influenced by feedback from private stakeholders, including the Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Nevertheless, they assured the committee that if the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) decided in favor of the original site, the Commerce Division would resume construction at that location.
Defense Division Projects and Budget Constraints
The committee was also briefed by Defense Division officials regarding both ongoing and upcoming development projects. It was disclosed that out of 22 active projects, 14 are expected to be completed in the next fiscal year. However, the officials also expressed serious concerns over budget constraints, which they attributed to the merger of the Aviation Division with the Defense Division.
They mentioned that the closure of the Pak PWD had caused considerable delays in project execution, further exacerbating the issue. The Defense Division requested an extension to fully utilize the allocated funds and ensure timely completion of pending projects.
National Highway Authority (NHA) Budget Allocation
The National Highway Authority (NHA) also presented a detailed overview of its development plans under the PSDP. According to the briefing, the NHA has been allocated Rs226.9 billion for the upcoming fiscal year. A significant portion—Rs100 billion—has been earmarked for the construction and expansion of the Karachi-Quetta Motorway, a major infrastructural initiative aimed at improving regional connectivity.
The NHA chairman emphasized the strategic importance of this highway, especially for linking underserved regions of Balochistan with major economic hubs. However, he also acknowledged that proper implementation would require steady funding and coordination between federal and provincial governments.
The Call for Equitable Development
The session concluded with a strong message from the Senate committee: equitable and fair development must be the cornerstone of Pakistan’s national policy. The committee reiterated that no province should feel marginalized or treated unequally, especially in matters of infrastructure, budget allocation, and national planning.
The discriminatory practices allegedly faced by Sindh serve as a wake-up call for the federal government. Moving forward, it is imperative to ensure transparent, fair, and consultative planning mechanisms that empower provinces and respect their autonomy.
The Planning and Development Ministry has been urged to not only review its current practices but to work toward building a development model that serves the interests of all federating units equally. Whether these recommendations will lead to substantive change remains to be seen in the upcoming budgetary decisions and development policy frameworks.
