Latest news with #18thamendment
Express Tribune
27-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
MQM-P slams 16 years of PPP rule in Sindh, pledges to issue white paper
Listen to article Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) Pakistan has pledged to release a white paper against the Sindh government, while calling the 16-year-long rule of the Pakistan People's Party in the province the worst and most corrupt. In a press conference, senior MQM-P leaders including Farooq Sattar and Nasreen Jalil accused the provincial government of gross mismanagement and corruption, claiming that they had brought yet another lament for Karachi. The white paper will include details the state of governance under the PPP, pointing out that 25 billion rupees in dues remain unpaid to government employees residing in Karachi and working in local government bodies. Farooq Sattar remarked that these employees had their monthly gratuity contributions deducted over 30 to 40 years of service, but those dues have not been paid to retirees since 2017. He questioned, "What could be a bigger economic crime than this?" He further explained that all these Karachi-based institutions, led by the Mayor of Karachi or the Provincial Minister for Local Government, have been under the control of Sindh's feudal lords since 2017, when MQM-P was removed from overseeing them. Farooq Sattar stated that Rs 25 billion of dues for Karachi's retired employees remain unpaid since 2017, with similar issues affecting Hyderabad. He emphasized that after the 18th amendment, the Sindh government is responsible for paying these dues. The MQM leaders revealed that Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) owes Rs 15 billion to 10,000 employees, while Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) owes Rs 6 billion to 5,000 employees. Similarly, the Karachi Development Authority (KDA) owes Rs 5 billion to over 1,000 retired employees. Other bodies, such as WASA, HMC, and HDA in Hyderabad, owe another Rs 4-5 billion. A further part of the white paper on Sindh government's mismanagement will be released after Ramzan. Farooq Sattar accused the Sindh government of depriving Karachi's 25 towns of their rights, with retired employees being treated unfairly. He also accused the provincial government of hiring individuals with fake domicile certificates for new recruitments, especially in Karachi and Hyderabad, and in medical colleges. The MQM leaders stated that the Sindh government is perpetrating both an economic and educational massacre against the people of Karachi. Farooq Sattar raised questions about where the Rs 25 billion had gone, stressing that these funds were Karachi's taxpayers' money, not anyone's personal wealth. He demanded an inquiry into the missing funds. He also pointed out that the salaries and benefits of provincial ministers, including the Chief Minister, are paid from Karachi's taxes. Farooq Sattar demanded that the government investigate where the tax money is being allocated. In his press conference, Farooq Sattar urged the political figures in Islamabad and Rawalpindi to pay attention to Karachi's plight, stressing that this situation was harmful to Pakistan's stability and strength. He reassured the retired employees that they were not alone, adding that MQM Pakistan had returned with renewed strength and unity. He warned that post-Ramzan, the rising costs of essential goods would be highlighted. "This is a warning to those who underestimated our strength during our organizational restructuring," he said. On the question of collaboration with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi (MQM-H) leader, Afaq Ahmed, Farooq Sattar expressed hope that old agreements would be revived, though he acknowledged that Afaq Ahmed had rejected his appeal for unity in the past. Earlier, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced plans to release a white paper evaluating the performance of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government in Punjab during its first year in office. Addressing a press conference at the Lahore Press Club on Wednesday, Leader of the Opposition in Punjab, Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar, sharply criticised the provincial government, alleging that public funds were being misused for self-promotion. Without directly naming Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, he accused the administration of diverting state resources toward promoting her and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Express Tribune
16-02-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
K-P releases Rs440m to settle IHP salaries
PESHAWAR: On the directives of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Health Advisor Ehtesham Ali, Rs440 million has been released to clear three months' pending salaries of over 4,500 employees of the Integrated Health Program (IHP). In his statement, the Health Advisor assured that all employees would receive their salaries before Ramazan. He instructed the relevant authorities to ensure timely transfers of payments to employees' accounts without delay. Emphasizing the need for reforms to streamline project operations, he stated that no employee's salary would be withheld. "There is no place in my team for those who cannot deliver," he asserted. Expressing concern over frequent salary delays and protests for project extensions, Ehtesham Ali directed officials to begin preparations for the upcoming budget immediately. He urged consultations with stakeholders to ensure efficient financial planning and prevent such disruptions in the future. The advisor further stated that the next Annual Development Program (ADP) would include only those schemes that enhance service delivery and benefit the public, rather than launching unnecessary new projects. Background In December 2024, The Express Tribune reported that IHP, jointly managed by the Lady Health Workers (LHWs) program and the nutrition initiative, faces severe financial constraints, hindering its effectiveness. Official sources said that both programs have fallen short of their targets due to insufficient funding. Approximately 4,000 IHP employees have gone without salaries for the past five months, receiving payment only once during this period, according to a health department official. Introduced in 2014 across all four provinces, the IHP underwent challenges after the 18th amendment, requiring individual provinces to create their PC-1 plans. The previous government's Rs7.5 billion PC-1, developed by consultants from Punjab without a baseline survey, displayed numerous shortcomings, including the delayed recruitment of Lady Health Workers and trained community midwives over four years. Despite completing their two-year training, these midwives remain unutilized, incurring significant costs to the health department, supported by international donor organizations. Additionally, LHWs and CMWs lack access to government-provided medicines. The IHP's primary goal is to reduce maternal deaths during childbirth from 165 per 1,000 to 40. Stabilization centers face similar challenges, with no available food supplements despite the declared nutrition emergency in the province. Only Unicef is currently providing food supplements to select districts, while the government struggles to recruit nutrition specialists and purchase food supplements due to financial constraints. Targets for underweight childbirths have been substantially missed, raising concerns about the project's overall efficacy.
