Sindh: Education allocated Rs613bn
KARACHI: The Government of Sindh has allocated Rs 613.36 billion for the education sector in its budget for the fiscal year 2025-26.
According to the budget document, the total education budget includes Rs 524.32 billion for service delivery and Rs. 89.04 billion for development.
The School Education Department will receive funding, including Rs 13.5 billion for the Sindh Education Foundation, Rs 2.5 billion for grants to Deeni Madaris, Rs 1.4 billion for school scholarship programs and Rs 975 million for the NJV School Endowment Fund via Akhuwat Foundation
In the College Education Department, Rs 2 billion has been earmarked for scholarships, while Rs 500 million will fund scholarships for students seeking higher studies abroad.
The Universities & Boards Department will receive Rs 2 billion to cover exam and registration fees for intermediate students (Classes XI to XII), along with Rs 1.2 billion for the Board of Intermediate Education, Karachi. Another Rs 1 billion has been allocated for the establishment of a vocational training centre.
The University of Karachi will receive Rs 3.5 billion, University of Sindh, Jamshoro Rs 3.4 billion, NED University Karachi Rs. 2.5 billion, Mehran University, Jamshoro Rs 2.1 billion, IBA University, Sukkur Rs 1.9 billion, Quaid-e-Awam University and Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi will received allocations between Rs 1.6 billion and Rs 1.2 billion, respectively.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
Punjab's budget and Maryam Nawaz's priorities
For a long time, budgets were seen as mere formality — voluminous documents weighing 15 to 20 kilograms, often relegated to scrap piles. However, Maryam Nawaz has shattered this perception. For the first time in Punjab's history, the budget reflects not only numbers but real, tangible priorities for the public good. In the fiscal year 2025–26, the Punjab government under Maryam Nawaz has made historic increases in allocations across key sectors. Education has received a 127 percent increase in funding, health 41 percent, agriculture 25 percent, local government 130 percent, law and order 131 percent, and transport an astonishing 359 percent. Moreover, the development budget has reached a historic level with an allocation of Rs 1,240 billion. What sets this apart is not just the allocation on paper but real action on the ground. Over 700 kilometres of roads are currently under construction across the province. Beyond Lahore's development plan, projects in other districts have also been approved. In just her first year in office, Maryam Nawaz's government initiated nearly 100 public welfare projects — all funded through provincial resources, without relying on federal contributions. In healthcare, her government has introduced free medicines in public hospitals for the first time in Punjab. An impressive Rs 80 billion has been allocated solely for this purpose. Additionally, a Universal Health Insurance Programme is being launched with a budget of Rs 25 billion to ensure affordable and quality medical care for all citizens. The flagship project in health remains the Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital in Lahore, which is rapidly progressing and expected to complete its first phase by 2025. Work is also under way on the Nawaz Sharif Cardiology Hospital in Sargodha, due to be completed by September this year. In the realm of youth engagement and sports, the budget includes new schemes worth Rs 7.6 billion to build modern sports complexes in various cities. This is part of a broader strategy to provide healthy outlets and keep young people away from divisive and confrontational politics. The 'Easy Business Programme' has disbursed Rs 70 billion in interest-free loans to youth and entrepreneurs, leading to the establishment of over 5,000 new businesses. Education remains a top priority. The development budget for education has more than doubled — seeing over a 200 percent increase. Not only has this sector received funding, but major initiatives have been rolled out in schools and colleges, including infrastructure improvements and better resources. Public hospitals are undergoing a successful revamping initiative. Many now match or even surpass private hospitals in quality, offering free diagnostics and medication — services previously unheard of in public facilities. Unfortunately, opposition parties often reduce their role to theatrics — tearing up budget documents and causing disruptions in the assembly, acts that serve no benefit to the common citizen. Constructive criticism and viable suggestions are essential for a functioning democracy. Disagreements are natural in politics, but personal attacks cross into hostility. Despite being numerically strong, the opposition remains fragmented and divided, inadvertently benefiting the ruling party. The government's focus, meanwhile, is steadfast on Punjab's 140 million residents. Development projects are being executed across the province — from Lahore to Attock and Rawalpindi to Sadiqabad — without discrimination. Maryam Nawaz's first year in office has addressed many injustices from the past. There is a visible shift in public perception — people are beginning to express satisfaction with the government's direction. A key factor in her success is the guidance and political wisdom of Nawaz Sharif, a seasoned and visionary leader. His focus on public welfare has clearly influenced her governance model. Maryam Nawaz's strength lies in her ability to initiate people-centric projects that deliver real benefits. Today, Punjab leads other provinces in development and prosperity, primarily because public funds are being spent on the public itself. When citizens experience relief, they naturally see their leaders as their true well-wishers. She has also played a vital role in strengthening the PML-N in Punjab. The recent by-election victory in Sambrial stands as a testament to that. Attempts to spread division and hatred in the province have been decisively countered through effective political strategy. People are increasingly rejecting politics of violence and destruction, recognizing its detrimental impact. Maryam Nawaz and her team are working diligently to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Punjab. Her cabinet includes two dynamic female ministers — Marriyum Aurangzeb and Azma Bukhari — who have made significant contributions. Maryam Nawaz frequently acknowledges and praises their efforts. Azma Bukhari, in particular, has proven herself a formidable spokesperson, not only promoting government initiatives but also effectively countering the opposition. With a cabinet full of young, educated, and dedicated professionals, Maryam Nawaz's government is working with commitment. The results of these efforts are becoming increasingly visible across the province, as Punjab strides confidently on the path of development and progress. (The writer is the PRO of information minister Punjab) Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
Streetlight meters: Punjab seeks functionality verification survey
ISLAMABAD: The government of Punjab has requested a comprehensive survey to verify the functionality of existing streetlight meters and to ensure the installation of separate energy meters for all unmetered streetlight connections maintained by local governments. The province has also called for a special electricity tariff for streetlights, citing inflated billing practices by distribution companies (Discos). According to the Secretary for Local Governments, Punjab, there are currently 229 Local Governments providing municipal services across the province. Under Section 21(1)(s)(iii) of the Punjab Local Government Act, 2022, the responsibility for the installation and maintenance of street lighting lies with these Local Governments. Despite facing limited financial resources, Local Governments have been striving to maintain street lighting infrastructure. However, the rising cost of electricity—exacerbated by inflated bills—has made it increasingly difficult to sustain these essential services. A major contributing factor to these high bills is the prevalence of unmetered streetlight connections. Currently, Punjab has a total of 177,495 streetlights, of which 99,288 are metered while 78,207 remain unmetered. Due to the lack of proper metering, Discos often bill Local Governments based on average consumption or lump-sum estimates. This results in payments for electricity that is not actually consumed, placing a heavy financial burden on already stretched municipal budgets. Audit reports from the Municipal Corporations of Rawalpindi and Sialkot, presented before the Public Accounts Committee-III (PAC-III) of the Punjab Assembly, flagged significant overpayments. The audit cited unjustified payments of Rs. 69.048 million in Rawalpindi and Rs. 70.667 million in Sialkot for streetlight electricity bills. After reviewing the audit findings and the responses of the concerned departments, PAC-III issued the following directive to the Local Government and Community Development Department: 'The Committee directed the Administrative Department to prepare a comprehensive reference for submission to the Federal Government, emphasizing the rationalization of electricity tariffs, installation of separate meters, and exploration of alternate solutions.' In a letter addressed to the Secretary of the Power Division, the Secretary for Local Governments, Punjab, requested that in light of the PAC directions, necessary instructions be issued to all relevant Discos in Punjab to: (i) conduct a comprehensive survey to verify the functionality of all already-installed streetlight meters and ;(ii) expedite the installation of separate energy meters for all unmetered streetlight connections maintained by Local Governments. The letter also urges to take up the matter with the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) to introduce a special electricity tariff for streetlights, given that these services constitute a vital public utility. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
Prices of essential kitchen items show rising trend: BR survey
ISLAMABAD: The prices of essential kitchen items have witnessed an increasing trend during this week past against the previous week, revealed a survey carried out by Business Recorder (BR), here on Saturday. The survey observed a reduction in chicken prices from Rs15,000 to Rs10,400 per 40kg in the wholesale market, which in retail is being sold at Rs290 against Rs310 per kg and chicken meat price reduced from Rs530 to Rs500 per kg. Eggs' price went down from Rs9,000 to Rs7,000 per carton of 30 dozen which in retail is being sold in the range of Rs290-295 against Rs315-320 per dozen. Sugar price remained stable at Rs8,650 per 50 kg bag in the wholesale market, while in retail it is being sold at Rs180/190 per kg. Mutton and beef prices remained stable as normal quality mutton was available at Rs2,200 per kg, normal quality boneless beef at Rs1,400 per kg, and normal beef at Rs1,100 per kg. Various varieties of fishes are available in the range of Rs500 to Rs900 per kg. Interestingly, this time around the budget, contrary to the past there was no trend of upward fluctuations witnessed in the prices of soft drinks, cooking oil/ghee and cigarettes like daily use items. Wheat flour price remained steady as the best quality wheat flour ex-mill per 15kg bag price is available at Rs1,130 which in retail is being sold at Rs1,180 per 15kg bag and normal quality wheat flour per 15kg bag is available at Rs1,050 which in retail is being sold at Rs1,100 per bag. After a significant reduction of Rs1,400 per 15 kg bag in wheat flour price over the past one year. The tandoor owners in some parts of the twin cities started reducing the roti, naan and paratha prices as in some parts of the federal capital roti is available at Rs16 against Rs20, naan at Rs20 against Rs25 and paratha at Rs45 against Rs50. However, the bakers have not reduced the biscuit, bread and confectionery prices, which they had increased manifold after 2020 corona virus crisis, citing increase in ghee/cooking oil, and wheat flour prices. The prices of cooked food items remained stable as a cooked daal/vegetable plate at a normal hotel is available at Rs320, cooked beef plate at Rs550, cooked chicken plate at Rs500, cooked mutton at Rs750 and naan/roti is being sold at Rs25/30. No changes were witnessed in tea prices, as Lipton Yellow Label is available at Rs2,200 per 900 grams pack and Islamabad Tea is available at Rs1,800 per kg; normal quality turmeric powder is available at Rs600 against Rs700 per kg and normal quality red chilli powder at Rs800 against Rs900 per kg. No significant changes were witnessed in pulses prices as maash is available at Rs440 per kg, gram pulse at Rs300 per kg, whole gram pulse at Rs270 per kg, various varieties of bean lentils in the range of Rs450-550 per kg, moong price at Rs400 per kg, and masoor at Rs280 per kg. The prices of branded spices such as Shan, National, and others, also remained stable as a pack of 39 grams of spice is available at Rs140. The prices of the various varieties of rice remained stable as the best quality basmati in wholesale market is available at Rs12,800 per 40kg bag, which in retail is being sold at Rs350 per kg, normal quality basmati at Rs11,000 per 40 kg bag, which in retail is being sold at Rs310 per kg, and broken basmati at Rs8,500 per 40kg bag, which in retail is being sold at Rs235 per kg. Ghee/cooking oil prices remained stable as B-grade ghee/oil is available at Rs6,000 per carton of 16 packs in the wholesale market, which in retail is being sold at Rs460 per pack of 900 grams, while best quality cooking oil/ghee brands such as Dalda ghee price remained stable at Rs2,720 per 5kg tin and cooking at Rs2,720 per 5-litre bottle. Prices of packed milk brands such as Milk Pak and Olpers in the wholesale market remained stable at Rs2,250 per carton while in retail 250ml packed milk is being sold at Rs90. Fresh milk prices in some parts of the twin cities are being sold at Rs220 per kg while in some parts is still being sold at Rs230 per kg and yogurt price is stable at Rs250 per kg. No changes were observed in the prices of powder milk such as Nido and Lactogen as 400gram Nido powder milk is available at Rs1,320 and 200gram pack at Rs700 per pack. Bathing soaps' prices remained stable as family-size Safeguard and Dettol like soaps are available at Rs165 per pack, family size Lux at Rs150, and detergent prices went slightly up as Ariel Surf, Brite, Express Power and others are available at Rs570 against Rs550 per kg pack. The prices of various brands of cold drinks such as Pepsi, Coke, Miranda and others remained stable as family-size bottle is available at Rs230. Officially the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has fixed the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) at Rs240.53 per kg, while retailers are selling 15kg domestic LPG cylinder at Rs4,000 against Rs3,615 OGRA fixed price reflecting an overcharging of Rs385 per cylinder. Moreover, the retailers through decanting are selling the LPG on further escalated rates as they charge Rs300-330 per kg, reflecting an overcharging of Rs60-85 per kg. LPG traders and distributors always blame the marketing companies for higher prices, saying the companies are supplying them the commodity on higher prices as a result retailers are left with no option other than shifting the price to the end consumers. According to LPG traders, the LPG marketing companies and distributors are earning billions of rupees profit by overcharging the consumers, while the OGRA which totally depends on district administration including police have totally ignored the enforcement of official commodity rates. Moreover, LPG distributors and retailers are freely selling LPG by decanting in violation of the laws as a result every other day LPG cylinder blasts are claiming precious lives. Overall vegetable and fruit prices witnessed an increasing trend as potatoes in wholesales market went up from Rs2,500-4,200 to Rs2,600-4,500 per quintal, while in retail potatoes are being sold in the range of Rs55-70 against Rs50-65 per kg; onion price in wholesales market went down from Rs1,300-2,200 Rs1,200-2,000 per quintal, in retail onions are being sold in the range of Rs30-45 per kg and tomato price went down from Rs200 to Rs170 per basket of 15kg, which in retail are being sold in the range of Rs30-40 per kg. Ginger price is stable at Rs2,200 per 5kg in the wholesale market, which in retail is being sold in the range of Rs525-550 per kg, local garlic price went up from Rs750 to Rs850 per 5 kg which in retail is being sold at Rs220 against Rs200 per kg, China garlic price went up from Rs1,000 to Rs1,100 per 5kg in the wholesale market which in retail is being sold in the range of Rs250-300 against Rs240-270 per kg. Capsicum price went up from Rs230 to Rs250 per 5kg in the wholesale market which in retail is being sold in the range of Rs75-80 against Rs70-75, prices of various varieties of pumpkins went up from Rs160-225 to Rs200-250 per 5kg in wholesale market, which in retail are being sold in the range of Rs55-75 against Rs50-75 per kg; various types of tinda prices went up from Rs100-650 to Rs130-700 per 5kg which in retail are being sold in the range of Rs45-200 against Rs40-180 per kg; eggplant price went up from Rs325 to Rs350 per 5kg, which in retail are being sold at Rs85-100 against Rs80-90 per kg; cauliflower price went up from Rs350 to Rs450 per 5kg in wholesale market, which in retail is being sold in the range of Rs120-140 against Rs100-120 per kg and cabbage price went up from Rs175 to Rs225 per 5kg, which in retail is being sold at Rs65-75 against Rs50-60 per kg. Okra price went up from Rs120 to Rs130 per 5kg in wholesale market which in retail is being sold at Rs50-60 per kg, Bitter gourd price is stable at Rs250 per 5kg which in retail is being sold in the range of Rs65-75 per kg, green chilli price went up from Rs250-350 to Rs300-400 per 5kg in the wholesale market which in retail are being sold in the range of Rs100-130 against Rs90-100 per kg, beetroot price went up from Rs225 to Rs250 per 5kg which in retail is being sold at Rs70-75 against Rs60-70 per kg, local carrot price is stable at Rs150 per 5kg which in retail is being sold at Rs50-55 per kg and cucumber price went up from Rs170 to Rs225 per 5kg, which in retail is being sold at Rs65-75 against Rs50-55 per kg. Fresh bean price went up from Rs400 Rs450 per 5kg which in retail are being sold at Rs120-140 per kg against Rs100-120 per kg, Yam price went up from Rs900 to Rs600 per 5kg, which in retail is being sold at Rs190-200 against Rs220-230 per kg; turnip price is stable at Rs150 per 5kg which in retail are being sold in the range of Rs50-55 per kg; peas price went down from Rs750 to Rs650 per 5kg which in retail are being sold in the range of Rs180-200 against Rs230-240 per kg; radish price is stable at Rs100 per 5kg which in retail is being sold at Rs35-45 per kg, spinach is available at Rs150 per 5kg which in retail is being sold at Rs15-20 per bundle of 200 grams and coriander is available at Rs250 per 5kg in wholesales market which in retail is being sold at Rs30-35 per bundle of 250 grams. Fruit prices witnessed an upward trend as various types of local apples are available in the range of Rs150-500 against Rs140-450 per kg, Iranian dates at Rs400-450 per kg, Bananas prices went up from Rs80-190 to Rs100-200 per dozen. Various varieties of melons are being sold in the range of Rs50-100 against Rs40-120 per kg; Chikoo at Rs275-300 against Rs250-275 per kg, papaya at Rs350-380 against Rs320-350 per kg and falsa at Rs350-400 against Rs200-230 per kg. New arrival mangos in the range of Rs150-250 per kg, cherry in the range of Rs600-750 per kg, peach in the range of Rs150-250 per kg, apricot in the range of Rs175-300 per kg. Business Recorder has noted a significant difference between the wholesale market prices, official prices fixed by market committees which consists of commissioners, deputy commissioners (DCs), assistant commissioners (ACs), the special price control magistrates, representatives of wholesalers, retailers and general public. Whenever the retailers are mentioned as significantly overcharging the consumers and not following the official price list, they are arguing that some quantity of fruits, vegetables and other products they purchase from the wholesale market always remain rotten. Business Recorder has observed and repeatedly reported that retailers, vendors, and other sellers are not displaying official price lists of household items at a prominent place and are not even providing on demand, which they are legally bound to provide the consumers and display at a prominent place. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
