Sindh

A World Bank report on the NFC Award post-18th Amendment highlights that 80% of provincial spending in health and education goes toward salaries, with minimal improvement in service indicators. Local government funding has declined significantly, and provinces have failed to establish fair distribution mechanisms, while political parties have entrenched power in their respective provinces through patronage systems.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecasts rain, thunderstorms, and windstorms across northern and central regions, with urban flooding concerns in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Moist currents from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal, combined with a westerly wave, will affect multiple provinces from Monday night to Wednesday, while Sindh remains mostly dry with isolated storms.

Pakistan faces a multidimensional security crisis marked by escalating urban crime, organized criminal syndicates, terrorism, and overlapping militant and criminal economies. The country's outdated colonial-era policing system, hindered by political interference and lack of reforms, relies on coercive legislation like the Punjab Control of Habitual Offenders and Anti-Social Behavior Bill, 2026, instead of effective policing. Major cities now experience increased violent crime, extortion, and sporadic terrorist attacks, with kidnapping for ransom rising in Balochistan and KP, and similar trends in Sindh and Punjab.

MQM-P warns of potential protests if the federal government does not ensure implementation of its 2022 agreement with PPP on Sindh-related issues. The 18-point deal, signed before a coalition ousted Imran Khan, remains unfulfilled, with MQM-P leader Farooq Sattar urging the Centre to act under its constitutional role.

Pakistan's unified agriculture income tax regime collected only Rs5.62bn, less than 2% of declared agricultural income, highlighting systemic failures due to political resistance and institutional weaknesses. Provincial governments, influenced by landed elites, failed to enforce the tax effectively despite IMF-backed reforms.

The World Bank's study 'Strengthening Fiscal Federalism in Pakistan' critically evaluates the seventh NFC Award, highlighting issues like arbitrary resource distribution and increased provincial spending on wages and pensions without corresponding improvements in social services. While acknowledging some strengths, the report argues the NFC Award has contributed to a structural federal fiscal deficit and failed to align financing with public functions.

Pakistan experienced a decline in overall anti-state violence and fatalities in June 2026, according to PICSS, despite high-profile attacks including four suicide bombings. Security forces killed 184 militants, while civilian and security personnel deaths dropped by 27% and 62% respectively compared to May.

PPP and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) announced an electoral alliance to contest the July 27 Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) general elections. The decision followed a meeting between PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and JUI-F leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman, emphasizing peaceful democratic resolution of AJK issues and coalition governance in multiple regions.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecasts nationwide monsoon rainfall beginning in the first week of July, with scattered rain, windstorms, and thunderstorms expected across multiple regions. The rains, while crucial for replenishing water supplies, pose risks of floods, landslides, and infrastructure damage in vulnerable areas.

The article discusses the neglect of local governance (LGs) in Pakistan, with political parties PPP and PML-N blaming each other for delays in holding local elections. It highlights structural gaps in governance, the need for constitutional clarity, and the importance of devolving power to local bodies for effective civic management.

PPP announced local government elections in Sindh will be held in 2027, sparking a dispute with PML-N over election patterns in Punjab and Islamabad. PPP leader Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari challenged PML-N to hold local polls in 90 days, while PML-N's Saad Rafique opposed adopting Sindh's model. PPP emphasized its past success in Sindh's local governance.

Sindh's proposed Rs3.5 trillion budget projects a Rs37 billion deficit, with development spending cut by 30% despite infrastructure gaps. Literacy and school enrollment rates in Sindh remain significantly lower than in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the province has failed to improve key development indicators over 15 years of PPP governance.

Pakistan's mango exports are expected to decline by 30% due to reduced demand in the Gulf and rising shipping costs linked to the Middle East crisis. Domestic sales are also falling as inflation deters local purchases, impacting farmers and exporters reliant on the region's key markets.

Eighteen Pakistani universities are featured in the QS World University Rankings 2027, with Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) as the top-ranked institution. No university entered the global top 350, and regional disparities were evident, with Punjab and Islamabad dominating while Sindh and Balochistan had limited representation. QAU and NUST declined in rankings, while PIEAS improved.

Pakistan has repeatedly entered IMF programs with recurring issues of a narrow tax base, economic distortions, and weak institutions. The article argues that systemic inefficiencies persist due to elite-driven policies designed to concentrate power and resources, exemplified by the petroleum levy which funds federal priorities without benefiting provinces.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecasts below-normal rainfall and above-normal temperatures from July to September 2026, influenced by El Niño conditions and a transitioning Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD). Most regions, including Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan, are expected to experience reduced rainfall, while Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, and upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa may see normal to slightly above-normal precipitation. The PMD warns of increased risks of flash floods, landslides, and glacial lake outburst floods in mountainous areas.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan Chairman Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui advocates for creating a new urban province in Sindh due to Karachi's growing population and economic significance. Participants in a Karachi dialogue highlighted chronic governance issues, poor local government systems, and the need for administrative reforms to address the city's challenges.

Irsa increased water releases downstream of Chashma Barrage to address Sindh's water needs after protests over crop damage, but delays in delivery to critical areas like Kotri Barrage remain a concern. Experts question water storage practices at Chashma, as increased flows were delayed despite Sindh's urgent demand for kharif sowing.

The 2026-27 federal budget presentation was disrupted by protests from PPP and PTI in the National Assembly and government workers outside Parliament. PPP criticized PML-N's 'unreasonable attitude' and protested a reduction in Sindh's water share, while PTI members disrupted the session with slogans and torn budget documents. The budget session faced delays and tensions, including scuffles between PTI and PML-N lawmakers.

A delegation from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss the FY2026-27 budget and development projects for Sindh. The MQM-P sought Rs20 billion for Karachi projects and Rs5 billion for Hyderabad, with the PM assuring sufficient allocations and funding for the Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply Scheme and the M-9 Motorway.

Pakistan's national poverty rate increased by 7% between 2018-19 and 2024-25, adding 27 million people to the impoverished population, now totaling 70 million. Rural poverty rose from 28.2% to 36.2%, while urban poverty increased from 11% to 17.4%. Provincial poverty rates varied, with Balochistan recording the highest at 47% in 2024-25. Factors like inflation, currency depreciation, IMF policies, floods, and the Middle East conflict contributed to the surge. Inequality, measured by the Gini coefficient, rose from 28.4 to 32.7 nationally.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has requested Prime Minister Mian Mohammad Shehbaz Sharif to halt dam filling and address Sindh's 41% water shortfall, citing unfair diversions to Punjab's link canals. He emphasized adherence to the 1991 Water Apportionment Accord and highlighted Sindh's reduced canal withdrawals despite increased river inflows.

Punjab is withdrawing 21.35% more water than its allocated share (53,394 cusecs vs. 44,000 cusecs), exacerbating severe shortages in Sindh and Balochistan. Sindh faces a 39.6% overall water deficit, with the Dadu Canal experiencing an 85.7% shortfall. Balochistan receives less than its 1991 Water Apportionment Accord-allocated 2,200 cusecs due to reduced flows in the NW Canal.

Pakistan's 2026-27 budget slashes the overall development outlay by 25% to Rs3.218 trillion, with Punjab's development plan cut by nearly half (49%). Balochistan retained its full development allocation, while the federal and provincial budgets were reduced to Rs1 trillion and Rs2.218 trillion, respectively. The National Economic Council (NEC) approved the cuts, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecasts dust and windstorms, along with thunderstorms and rain, across most regions of Pakistan from June 11–13, warning of potential damage to structures and urban flooding. The PMD attributes the weather to a western disturbance and moist currents from the Arabian Sea, advising authorities, farmers, and travelers to remain cautious.

The Centre, Punjab, and Sindh agreed to cut spending to cover an Rs800 billion revenue shortfall, with the federal budget likely to be presented on June 12. The National Economic Council will finalize plans, but Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan have not yet joined the agreement. Extra FBR revenue may reach Rs1.3-1.7 trillion for strategic needs.

Sindh and Balochistan face worsening water shortages as Irsa fails to address their grievances over unfair allocation, with Punjab reportedly exceeding its water share through the Chashma-Jhelum link canal. Sindh’s water deficit rose to 39%, while Balochistan saw a 71% reduction in flows, sparking disputes over the 1991 Water Accord’s implementation.

Sindh's Right Bank Canal System faces critical irrigation water shortages, with deficits of 64.1% in the North West Canal, 82.0% in the Dadu Canal, and 38.0% in the Rice Canal. Punjab's over-withdrawal of water and the operation of the Chashma-Jhelum Link Canal exacerbate the crisis, violating the 1991 Water Apportionment Accord and threatening agricultural areas in Larkana, Qambar-Shahdadkot, Balochistan, and Sukkur.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a heatwave warning for multiple regions from June 7 to 12, with temperatures in some areas expected to reach 48°C–51°C. The advisory highlights risks for children, women, and senior citizens, urges caution for farmers, and notes potential dust storms in south Punjab and Sindh.

Mpox has been reported in Pakistan’s Sindh province, with deaths among newborns linked to the disease. Reports suggest the outbreak is causing fatalities in this region.