Centre plotting against K-P govt: CM
Addressing the K-P Assembly, Gandapur said that the events of May 9 were merely used as a pretext for launching a full-blown assault on the PTI. "All forces have been bent on eliminating the party and its leader," he alleged, adding that those who abandoned the incarcerated party chairman were nothing short of "cowards and dishonourable".
He went on to accuse the federal government of conspiring to topple the K-P government through the imposition of a financial emergency. However, he warned that the province would not allow such schemes to succeed.
He shared that the parliamentary party and political committee have granted his government approval to pass the provincial budget, adding that it will implement changes in the budget without delay upon Imran's directives.
Gandapur also accused the establishment of orchestrating PTI's ouster from power through a carefully crafted conspiracy. He lamented that constitutional provisions were violated and elections were deliberately delayed to sabotage the party's position.
"Before the February 8 general elections, our chairman was arrested, and the party was deprived of its electoral symbol," the chief minister said. "Despite all these political injustices, the public handed us a clear mandate, but that mandate was stolen in the Centre and in three provinces."
Commenting on the financial crisis his government inherited, Gandapur noted that the provincial treasury contained barely enough funds to pay 15 days of salaries when his government took over.
However, through sound fiscal policies, the province's revenue has now surpassed Rs93 billion, and is projected to reach Rs129 billion in the next fiscal year.
The chief minister further revealed that Rs150 billion in cash reserves remain in the province's debt servicing account, generating Rs60 million in daily income. The throw-forward liability of K-P has been reduced from 13 years to just over five years, he added.
"Those who hold sway over the country left no stone unturned in pushing this province towards insolvency and chaos," Gandapur claimed.
He said that despite their best efforts, they had not been allowed to meet Imran Khan, and alleged that the budget approval process was being obstructed to pave the way for a federal takeover of provincial authority under the guise of a financial emergency.
"We will never let this conspiracy succeed," he said. "The provincial budget is being passed as per the PTI's parliamentary and political committee's decision, but if the chairman wants anything added or removed, it will be done immediately."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
25 minutes ago
- Business Recorder
Sindh minister claims govt to supply electricity cheaper than K-Electric
KARACHI: Sindh government claimed on Tuesday it would soon start supplying electricity to Karachi's industrial and residential consumers cheaper than K-Electric — currently the only utility providing power in the metropolitan city. 'Under SEPRA (Sindh Electric Power Regulatory Authority), electricity supplied to Karachi's industries and residential consumers will be much cheaper than the rates charged by K-Electric,' Sindh Minister for Energy, Planning and Development Syed Nasir Hussain said on Tuesday while speaking at a multi-stakeholders conference titled 'Competitive Electric Market in Pakistan.' 'This is major good news for citizens burdened by expensive electricity, as the establishment of hybrid parks will lead to reduced power tariffs. Sindh is working on resolving energy issues by adopting models from other countries.' The provincial government has completed arrangements for the low-cost electricity and it would notify the development this month, according to a statement issued by the provincial ministry. CTBCM: Electricity market that has never arrived 'This electricity will be generated in Sindh and transmitted through STDC (Sindh Transmission and Dispatch Company), with tariffs set independently by the Sindh government rather than linked to NEPRA's (National Electric Power Regulatory Authority) rates,' Shah was quoted saying this at the conference organised by Pakistan Business Forum (PBF) and think tank Renewables First. The statement, however, did not carry numbers as what would be price/tariff of the power and how much electricity the provincial government would generate and/or supply to Karachi's industrial and domestic consumers. Nasir Hussain Shah stated that staff recruitment for SEPRA had been completed and its notification would be issued within the current month (of August). The primary focus is on economic zones, and the aim is to provide the first SEPRA-supplied electricity to the K-IV project's grid, according to the ministry statement. 'Sindh Assembly has given constitutional approval to SEPRA and that citizens of Karachi will also benefit from this system, provided that the transmission network remains with STDC,' Shah said. 'Providing affordable electricity to the business community and the public is the vision of President Asif Ali Zardari and Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.' He further said the issue of high capacity charges of Independent Power Producers (IPPs) could be resolved by establishing more industries, because while payments must be made, economic growth should also occur. Electricity market under CTBCM: Power Div invites comments from stakeholders Shah also noted that there was no representation of Sindh in K-Electric's board, with three directors from the federal government. 'We have asked the federal government to have one representative from the federation and the remaining two from Sindh,' he said.
Express Tribune
26 minutes ago
- Express Tribune
Sindh unveils independent power framework to offer cheaper electricity
Listen to article In a bid to provide relief to Karachi's residents and industrial sectors grappling with soaring power tariffs, Sindh Energy Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah on Tuesday announced a new electricity supply framework under the Sindh Electric Power Regulatory Authority (SEPRA). Speaking to the media on Tuesday, he revealed that electricity will be generated and transmitted by the Sindh Transmission and Dispatch Company (STDC) under the recently approved SEPRA. Shah stated that the rates offered under SEPRA will be substantially lower than those currently charged by K-Electric. 'We will generate electricity ourselves and transmit it through STDC. Most importantly, we will determine the tariff ourselves,' he said. 'The electricity transmitted through STDC will not be subject to NEPRA's pricing. Our rates will be significantly more affordable.' Also Read: Bilawal dismisses 27th Constitutional Amendment rumours as 'baseless' The provincial minister confirmed that the SEPRA framework has been constitutionally approved by the Sindh Assembly, and staffing for the authority is already complete. A formal notification is expected later this month. 'Our primary focus is on providing reliable and low-cost electricity to Karachi's economic zones,' he said, adding, 'We aim to deliver SEPRA's first transmission to the grid supplying power to the Korangi industrial area.' He further asserted that the transmission infrastructure must be under STDC's control for the plan to succeed. 'Karachi's citizens will also benefit from this initiative once the system is in place,' he added. Commenting on K-Electric's governance structure, Shah pointed out the lack of provincial representation on its board. 'Currently, all three board directors represent the federal government. We have proposed that one director remain from the federal side, while the other two should represent Sindh,' he said. Read: Pakistan wins water arbitration against India The minister also mentioned an agreement between the Sindh government and K-Electric to supply the utility with low-cost electricity from upcoming solar parks. 'We've asked K-Electric to avoid purchasing electricity generated through expensive fuel when solar-based power is available,' he said. K-Electric currently depends on the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) for tariff determination and price notifications, even as it faces mounting criticism over rising electricity costs and persistent load-shedding. While announcing a new provincial power initiative, Shah did not provide specifics on the tariff structure or generation mechanism under SEPRA. Also Read: ATC orders Qureshi's release after acquittal According to NEPRA's data, Pakistan's power generation continues to lean heavily on costly imported fuels. Over 20% of electricity was generated using imported liquefied natural gas (LNG), at a steep cost of Rs24.26 per unit. Similarly, electricity from imported coal came in at Rs16.60 per unit. Hydroelectric and nuclear sources offered some relief—contributing 21.94% and 17.91% to the power mix respectively—at significantly lower costs. Nuclear power, in particular, stood out as the cheapest source at just Rs2.10 per unit. However, these affordable options were not enough to offset the impact of more expensive fuel-based generation. Locally sourced coal accounted for 14.51% of power generation at Rs11.21 per unit, while gas-based power made up 8% at Rs11.82 per unit. Though furnace oil contributed just 0.79% to the national grid, it remained the most expensive source, costing Rs28.77 per unit.
Express Tribune
4 hours ago
- Express Tribune
ATC orders Qureshi's release after acquittal
Listen to article In response to a recent order, the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) issued a 'warrant of release' addressed to the superintendent of Central Jail Kot Lakhpat for the release of PTI's Shah Mehmood Qureshi. The release pertains to two cases in which the court had acquitted him. ATC Judge Manzer Ali Gill issued two separate 'warrants of release' in connection with two different FIRs (768/23 and 103/23). Qureshi had been acquitted on August 11 in these cases, which were registered against him following the May 9 riots that erupted after the arrest of PTI's founding chairman, Imran Khan. Judge Gill, issuing the separate warrants, addressed the superintendent of Central Jail Kot Lakhpat, stating, 'This is to authorise and require you, the superintendent of the jail, to release the accused Shah Mehmood Qureshi from this case forthwith if he is not required by you in any other case.' Warrant of Commitment of Sentences of Imprisonment Meanwhile, ATC Judge Gill also issued a 'warrant of commitment of sentences of imprisonment', authorising and requiring the superintendent of the jail to receive PTI's former governor Umar Sarfraz Cheema, Dr. Yasmeen Rashid, Ijaz Ch, Mian Mehmood ur Rasheed, and others into custody in the said jail. The superintendent was also directed to carry out the sentences according to the law. Properties Forfeited In his order, announced on August 11, Judge Gill also awarded sentences to PTI's lawmakers and workers, and ordered the forfeiture of properties belonging to PTI's former governor Umar Sarfraz Cheema, Dr. Yasmeen Rashid, Ijaz Ch, Mian Mehmood Ur Rasheed, and other workers under section 7(2) of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). It is noteworthy that, according to judgments announced by ATCs across the province, more than 120 PTI lawmakers and workers have had their properties forfeited. Earlier, the ATC in Faisalabad had ordered the forfeiture of properties from 90 convicts, while the Sargodha court, in two cases, had forfeited the properties of 30 convicts under Section 7(2) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997. On May 9, 2023, PTI lawmakers and supporters staged violent protests across the country in reaction to the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan. These protests included the vandalism of military installations and other state-owned buildings, including the Corps Commander's house in Lahore.
