KARACHI (TNS) Karachi Chairman Orangi Town Haji Jameel Zia, along with Vice Chairman Affan Saghir Siddiqui, Municipal Commissioner Agha Fahad, and other officials, presented the third revised and proposed budget of Orangi Town Municipal Corporation for the fiscal year 2025–2026, with a total volume of Rs. 1.607 billion. The budget is balanced, with 71% allocated for non-development expenditures and only 29% for development initiatives, translating to Rs. 435 million earmarked for development projects and Rs. 1.072 billion for non-development expenditures. The session began with the recitation of the Holy Quran and a naat. In his address, Chairman Jameel Zia stated that despite serious financial constraints, they strived to present a people-centric and balanced budget. Expected revenues include Rs. 1.08 billion in Octroi Zila Tax from the Sindh government, Rs. 100 million in property tax, Rs. 107 million from internal sources, Rs. 140 million from MUT, Rs. 300 million in special grants, and Rs. 160 million as payable liabilities from DMC West. Expenditures include Rs. 900 million for salaries, Rs. 151.6 million for other expenses, Rs. 20.4 million for repairs, Rs. 100 million for general development under B&R, Rs. 70 million for ongoing development, Rs. 22 million for discretionary development including a sports complex, Rs. 40 million each for M&E and Parks departments, Rs. 5 million for capital expenses, Rs. 80 million for UC vice chairmen’s proposed schemes, and Rs. 8 million for reserved seats’ development proposals. Additionally, Rs. 5 million is allocated for assistance in case of employee deaths during service, and Rs. 2 million for disaster response. The council unanimously approved the budget. Opposition leader Zahid Iqbal offered prayers for the late UC-1 Chairman Amir Bhutto and the country’s prosperity. Chairman Jameel Zia thanked all council members and opposition leaders for their cooperation and praised Municipal Commissioner Agha Fahad, Chief Accounts Officer Ejaz Qadeer, and their team for their hard work in preparing the budget.
