KARACHI – Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi Ameer Monem Zafar criticized the federal, provincial, and local governments for sidelining Karachi in their latest budgets. He expressed his concerns during a post-budget press briefing at Idara Noor-e-Haq on Friday.
Zafar pointed out that the Sindh government allocated only Rs37.44 billion to Karachi out of its total Rs3,451 billion budget. He stressed that this accounts for just 1.1% of the budget, calling it a clear sign of neglect toward the country’s largest city.
Demanding urgent action, the JI leader called for a minimum of Rs500 billion to be allocated for Karachi’s development. He also proposed that each town receive Rs2 billion, and every union council be granted Rs20 million to meet local needs.
In contrast, Zafar praised the budgets prepared by the nine JI-run towns in Karachi, describing them as health, education, and people-friendly. He noted that these budgets reflect a commitment to public welfare despite limited resources.
He shared that Rs870 million had been allocated for education in these towns, a significant rise from Rs520 million in the previous year. Similarly, over Rs310.5 million was set aside for the health sector, nearly doubling last year’s Rs160 million.
Zafar concluded by urging the ruling parties to treat Karachi fairly and invest in its infrastructure, education, and healthcare, warning that continued neglect would only deepen the city’s problems.