The new Federal Budget of 2025-26 has come under stinging criticism by Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi, with its Ameer, Munam Zafar Khan, calling it a “riddle of words and figures” that goes significantly against the megacity’s immediate needs. Addressing a press conference at Idara Noor-e-Haq, Munam elaborated carefully on the budget’s deficiencies, especially its effects on Karachi’s development and infrastructure.

The main issue of debate is the paltry amount for the K-4 water project, a lifeline to Karachi. The budget allocates just PKR 3.2 billion, barely 2.5% of the PKR 133 billion for the Water Resources Division. Munam highlighted that this meager amount, far less than the requested PKR 40 billion, indicates a conscious effort to drop the crucial K-4 project, depriving half of Karachi’s citizens of proper access to water. Adding to this, he claimed that the budget misestimates Karachi’s population, virtually withholding its rightful share of resources by underreporting its 35 million citizens as 20.3 million.

Jamaat-e-Islami is seeking an ample hike in Karachi’s budget for development, urging the government to set aside PKR 500 billion right away. In addition, they seek a precise allocation of these funds, with PKR 2 billion per town and PKR 25 million per Union Council (UC). Munam also insisted on the important devolution of powers to the local level, in strict compliance with Article 140-A of the Constitution. He pointed out the hypocrisy of the provincial government, as it was keen to get its due under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award but was always reluctant to give Karachi its rightful share under the Provincial Finance Commission (PFC) Award.

Munam also criticized the working inefficiencies of civic authorities, especially during Eid-ul-Adha. He attributed the active role of the Jamaat-e-Islami’s 9 Town Chairman and 88 UC Chairman for saving the city from falling into a total sanitation nightmare because of the poor performance by Sindh Solid Waste Management.

The press conference also became a platform to highlight the ongoing issues with large-scale infrastructure projects. Munam indicated the incomplete opening of the BRT Green Line project in 2022, even though it was started in 2016. He also condemned the Orange Line as a “cruel joke” on the people of Karachi and criticized the inconveniencing state of University Road in the name of the Red Line project.

Munam highlighted equally shocking cuts in other important areas. The budget for education, he pointed out, has been cut brutally from PKR 65 billion to PKR 39.5 billion. Equally, the Karachi IT Park, a PKR 42 billion scheme due to be completed by June 2026, has seen only a paltry PKR 6 billion allocated.

Putting a further burden on the public, an 18% tax has also been placed on solar energy that Munam claimed dissuades citizens from moving towards alternatives to K-Electric’s excessive charges. He blamed all political parties as accomplices against Karachi and called them as impositions by Form 47, which are in place to approve every decision made by the government, irrespective of its legitimacy.

Munam pointed out a glaring inequality in compensation, adding that while the salaries of members of National Assembly have increased from PKR 200,000 to PKR 500,000, and those of the Senate Chairman and National Assembly Speaker have increased 600 times, some 100 million Pakistanis (44.7% of the total population) are living under the poverty line.

He also condemned the People’s Party, which occupies many of the government roles, for reportedly hindering the functioning of elected town chairmen and passing responsibilities to contractors, clearly visible through Eid-ul-Adha’s hide collection and waste disposal. Munam highlighted the absence of vital machinery and personnel during the Eid operation and threatened impending monsoon rain without any visible drain cleaning efforts. He ended by affirming that power has to be conferred on elected representatives, including People’s Party representatives, and not contractors, to ensure true accountability and effective delivery of services.

Jamaat-e-Islami reiterates the commitment to the “Haq Do Karachi” movement and vows to struggle for the rights of the city through all available mediums, from court cases to street agitation. The organization is in talks at present and intends to release its line of action in the near future.