ISLAMABAD: Karachi’s share in the upcoming Karachi federal budget once again falls far short of the city’s size, economic importance and infrastructure needs, with Islamabad proposing a series of allocations that barely cross a few billion rupees for a metropolis of more than 20 million people.
Focus Pakistan received budget documents that show the federal government plans to set aside Rs1.98 billion for the Green Line Bus project. Beyond that, most allocations for Karachi’s civic infrastructure run into a few hundred million rupees each.
District West will receive Rs260 million for infrastructure fixes. Nazimabad and Liaquatabad get more, Rs370 million, for things like roads, water, drainage, and even playgrounds. Meanwhile, Landhi, Korangi, and Zaman Town will each receive Rs350 million The numbers become even smaller deeper in the documents.
District Central has received a proposed allocation of Rs45 million for roads, streets, water supply and drainage works. Korangi and Malir are set to receive Rs50 million combined for their projects. Yet, Karachi folks face broken roads, jammed drains, and lack of water constantly.
So, the big question is: how effective will these funds really be? Karachi is super important for Pakistan’s economy. It’s got the busiest ports, major banks, and industries. The city brings in a lot of tax money too. Still, every monsoon shows the same problems. Roads collapse. Drainage systems fail. Entire neighbourhoods struggle with water supply disruptions.
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The federal government has also included several new projects in the Karachi federal budget. Officials want to put Rs400 million towards the Jinnah Medical Complex and Research Centre, Rs390 million into the National Research and Fertility Care Centre, and Rs50 million toward a new National University of Nursing.
The Green Line allocation remains the largest item in the package. In Karachi, everything spreads out across areas from Gadap to Ibrahim Hyderi and Keamari to Malir. The budget debates always boil down to the same thing: while Karachi gives a lot to the national economy, many residents think they get too little in development funding. This year’s proposals are unlikely to end that debate.a
When parliament takes up the federal budget in the coming days, Karachi’s allocations will once again come under scrutiny. For a city that drives much of Pakistan’s commerce, the proposed figures look less like a development push and more like another exercise in managing expectations.
