Karachi (Reporter) – Sindh’s Senior Minister, Sharjeel Inam Memon, has said that the Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway is not only crucial for Sindh but also for the entire country. He stated that the import and export activities of the whole nation, originating from Karachi Port, rely heavily on the Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway. According to him, there is no suitable alternative route to this motorway.

In a statement, he said that the Chief Minister of Sindh has repeatedly reminded the federal government about the importance of this project and has also sent official letters. Recently, some federal ministers gave assurances that funds would be allocated for this project in the national budget.

Sharjeel Memon clarified that the construction of the Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway is the responsibility of the federal government, not the Sindh government. He said, “We were told that the road would be started and completed soon, but the amount allocated in the budget is neither enough to begin the project promptly nor to complete it on time.”

He further stated that only “token money” has been allocated for the Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway project, which is inadequate for a project of such importance. Long-term infrastructure projects like this require full and proper funding. He added that such projects typically span two to three years and therefore, at least 30% to 40% of the total budget should have been allocated, as is done for other national projects.

He criticized the allocation of only 15 billion rupees, saying it neither does justice to the project nor serves Pakistan’s broader interests. He also expressed concerns regarding the K-IV water supply project, noting that the funds allocated for it are also significantly insufficient.

Sharjeel Memon emphasized that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is taking these issues seriously and will conduct a thorough review of the budget. He urged the federal government to reduce unnecessary expenditures, stating, “If you cut down on expenses, savings become possible.”

He further said that if the government’s revenue does not increase, it is essential to control spending. “Last time, the budgetary targets set by the government were not achieved. The FBR (Federal Board of Revenue) failed to meet its revenue goals. If revenue targets cannot be met, then the federal government must also consider the provinces’ financial deficits.”

Sharjeel Memon concluded that all expenditures must be managed smartly. If expenses continue to rise unchecked, it will put pressure on the financial system, and fiscal policies will become unsustainable.